Saturday’s contest between the hometown UCA Crusaders and the visiting Pittsburg-Canaan Yellow Jackets boiled down to a battle of the twelves. UCA’s number 12 Chris DeLaBruere (center) launches himself by Pittsburg-Canaan’s Spencer Noyes and in front of the Yellow Jackets’ number 12 Travis Chase. Both Chase and DeLaBruere would lead all scorers with 23 points apiece in the 58-49 win for Pittsburg-Canaan. Photo by Richard Creaser

by Richard Creaser

copyright the Chronicle 2-5-2013

NEWPORT — The United Christian Academy boys varsity basketball team concluded a tough week with an equally tough loss to the Pittsburg-Canaan Yellow Jackets 58-49 on Saturday evening.  The Crusaders managed one win against Trinity Baptist while losing to Cabot, Pittsburg-Canaan and Division 3 Richford in an unusually rigorous week that saw them play four games in just six nights.

Compounding the team’s fatigue was the loss of Jon DeLabruere, possibly to a season-ending injury, UCA Crusader Chris DeLaBruere acknowledged after the game.  Jon is one of the team’s key defenders and helps set the tone defensively for UCA.  His ability to block and steal enables the offensive engine to kick in for the 10-5 Crusaders.

“We’ve got a really short bench so having this many games in a week, these many injuries really isn’t helping us,” Chris DeLaBruere said.  “When we’re completely healthy we have eight players.  We haven’t been completely healthy for most of the season.”

Despite the loss, Saturday’s contest featured some of the finest defensive play possible.  Both the Crusaders and Yellow Jackets created effective screens around the net frequently turning aside shots and snatching rebounds to deny their opponents.

Offensively the game revolved around UCA’s Chris DeLaBruere and the Yellow Jackets’ Travis Chase.  Both recorded 23 points during the game though DeLaBruere held a slight edge on three-pointers and shot 3 for 4 from the foul line while Chase shot a sterling 6 for 8 from the foul line.

The UCA Crusaders turned in a heroic, albeit losing, effort against the visiting Pittsburg-Canaan Yellow Jackets on Saturday night. Here UCA’s Paul Saaman (center left) charges through Yellow Jackets defenders Travis Chase (foreground left), Dillon Begin (center right) and Cole Noyes to record the basket. Photo by Richard Creaser

Pittsburg-Canaan had a distinct advantage on free throws, finishing the game having scored on 14 of 23 free throw attempts.  The Crusaders shot only 7 for 17 during the game.  In a game that finished only nine points apart, trouble at the free throw line may have spelled the difference.

The opening quarter was by far the most lopsided portion of the game.  The Yellow Jackets exploded early, racking up an 11-point lead that would carry them into the second quarter 18-7.  Whatever impediments held the Crusaders back appeared to lift as the teams marched into halftime.  Chris DeLaBruere nailed two of his four three-pointers during the second quarter as UCA clawed to within six points at the break.

The third quarter showcased the defensive talents of both squads as the Crusaders and Yellow Jackets repeatedly denied one another around the net.  Pittsburg-Canaan would hold a slight edge, padding their lead by two extra points to stay ahead 41-33 entering the final frame.

It was in the fourth quarter that UCA’s short bench really caught up to them.  Not only were the players tiring but their ability to draw fouls was severely limited.  Before the game’s end both Paul Saaman and Marquel Taylor-Webster would be riding the pine having accumulated their maximum five fouls.  Despite losing two of their offensive pieces the Crusaders held tight and battled the Yellow Jackets to a virtual draw.  Foul trouble allowed the Yellow Jackets to shoot from the line 11 times in the final frame alone.  Despite this advantage the Crusaders recorded 16 points to the Yellow Jackets 17 to end the game.

“It was a tough game,” Chris DeLaBruere said afterward.  “They have a good team and play hard.  If we had all of our guys and weren’t worn out, I think we could have won this.”

Taylor-Webster turned in a fine performance adding 17 points for the Crusaders while Paul Saaman contributed 8 in the effort.  Cole Noyes recorded 14 points for the visitors while Dillon Begin added 10 more in the Yellow Jackets’ winning cause.

contact Richard Creaser at nek_scribbler@hotmail.com

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Drew Gallup prepares to shoot free throws in LR’s 66-43 win on January 22. Photo by Harris Kinsey

copyright the Chronicle 1-30-2013

Coming off a win on the road over BFA Fairfax, the Lake Region varsity boys hoped to continue their winning ways versus Richford on January 22 at Don Harter Memorial Gym. They played hard for four quarters and dominated in a 66-43 win. Drew Gallup scored a team high 16 points and Alex Beauregard added 13 points for Lake Region. Brett McAllister led Richford with 20 points but didn’t have much help, as Lake Region’s defense was dominant throughout the game.
LR would score early in the first quarter on a three pointer by Alex Beauregard. Beauregard would score the first five points of the game as Lake Region jumped out early to a 5-0 lead. Lake Region went up 11-0 before Richford would score their first basket. The quarter ended with Lake Region leading 13-8.
The second quarter started with Lake Region scoring one minute into the quarter on a three-pointer by Caleb Prue. Lake Region 16, Richford 8. Richford finally scored with 5:20 left in the quarter on a field goal by Jeremy Franklin. Richford would then go on a little run and bring the game closer. They were able to create some turnovers as Lake Region got a little careless with the ball, and went on to score 17 points in the quarter to Lake Region’s 19. At halftime the score stood at 32-25 in favor of Lake Region.
The third quarter got under way with Lake Region scoring first again on a field goal by Dennis Newland. Richford answered right back on a three-pointer by Brett McAllister. Richford would hang close throughout the quarter. They answered almost every basket Lake Region scored with a score of their own. Richford scored 15 points in the quarter to 16 points for Lake Region. The third quarter ended with Lake Region leading 49-41.
The fourth quarter would start fast for Lake Region. Drew Gallup scored 38 seconds into the quarter. Then Lake Region’s defense completely took over. They dominated Richford. Richford couldn’t do anything right. Lake Region forced turnover after turnover: bad passes, steals, out of bounds, travels. It was some of the best defense they’ve played this year. On the offensive end Lake Region would pick Richford’s defense apart, and Richford had a hard time stopping them. Richford would finally score with 35 seconds left in the game on a field goal by Brett McAllister. Lake Region on the other hand would go on to score 17 points in the quarter. The game ended with the score 66-43 in favor of Lake Region.
After the game LR coach James Ingalls said, “We knew coming into this game that we needed to handle the 2-3 zone defense. The first few minutes were really good. Then it went downhill a little bit, and we let them lull us into some turnovers. The second half we came out and played much better. Dennis Newland was key on the defensive end and pulled down some key boards. Drew Gallup and Alex Beauregard were key on offense and they pulled down some key offensive boards. We always shoot for a team effort, and that is what we got tonight.”

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North Country’s Adam Viens (center) tips to the side as he rifles a shot a Stowe Raider goalie Dylan Whitaker during Saturday’s contest at the Ice Haus in Jay. Moving in on the play are Raiders J.J. Clark (left) and Luke O’Toole (second from right) and Falcon Ryan O’Donnell. Photo by Richard Creaser

by Richard Creaser

copyright the Chronicle 1-27-2013

JAY — Kody Halikas turned in a stellar performance as the North Country Falcons boys hockey team routed the visiting Stowe Raiders at the Ice Haus in Jay on Saturday.  Halikas’ four-point afternoon guided the way to the Falcons 7-1 win and advance to 9-2 in the Metro Division conference.

“Stowe’s having a bit of a rough year,” North Country Coach Andrew Roy said after the game.  “When we had an opening in front of the net we took advantage of it.”

The openings came early and often for the Falcons throughout the contest.  It may have been a matter of size advantage for the home team or of inexperience for the visiting Raiders.  Stowe’s 15-man roster consists of six freshmen, four sophomores and five juniors with not a single senior on the squad.

Halikas set the tone early lighting the lamp 1:20 into the game on a feed from Logan Fortier.  The Falcons next marker would come from Halikas on an unassisted shorthanded goal to give North Country a 2-0 lead at 9:22.  The Falcons’ final goal of the opening frame would come courtesy of Ryan O’Donnell with Fortier once again picking up the helper.

“Kody continues to be in the right place at the right time,” Coach Roy said of Halikas’ four-point night.  “Things started off a little rough for him this season but he has done a very good job of positioning himself to take advantage of opportunities.  It’s something the whole team has been quite successful at.”

The second period would yield no better results for the Stowe Raiders despite a goalie change for North Country that saw junior Chase LaCourse come in for senior Chris Bronson.  Not only would LaCourse continue Bronson’s shut out, he would provide a little offense of his own contributing an assist on Ryan Paul’s shorthanded buzzer-beater.  Quentin Nelson provided the other North Country goal in the period to give the Falcons a 5-0 lead.

The decision to swap out goaltenders wasn’t a health-related issue, Coach Roy said.  Rather, it was to give LaCourse more ice time, the coach said.

“Chase is a very good goalie,” Coach Roy said.  “He’s been working really hard and doing everything he can to be ready for us.  Playing behind Chris, I think he sometimes doesn’t get the credit he deserves.”

The Raiders would finally solve the Falcons’ goaltending enigma in the third period.  Luke O’Toole would break the shutout bid as his shot deflected off a Falcon defender and past LaCourse into the net.

Halikas would respond with his third goal of the night off of feeds from Ross Delabruere and Brody Jacobs.  The final tally of the game would come with less than two minutes remaining on the clock as Ryan Paul knocked home his second of the day on an assist from Halikas.

North Country’s Logan Fortier (center) swings past Stowe defender Evan Roberts and comes in on freshman goalie Dylan Whitaker. Fortier would finish the day with a pair of assists in the Falcons’ 7-1 win over the visiting Raiders. Photo by Richard Creaser

What distinguished Saturday’s contest from many other games the Falcons have played this season was the surprising lack of penalties drawn on the day.  If a team with a 9-2 record can be said to have an Achilles heel it would be the Falcons’ propensity for surrendering the man-advantage.  North Country accumulated only five penalties during Saturday’s contest.

Asked about the team’s struggles with penalties Coach Roy responded that it has been a concern in some, but not all, games.

“It has been and it hasn’t been a problem for us,” Coach Roy said.  “The boys know how to play the game.  There are times when they get caught up in it and get carried away.”

Halikas finished the day with three goals and an assist to lead the team.  Ryan Paul netted a pair of goals while Ross Delabruere and Logan Fortier each contributed a pair of assists.  Saturday’s win marks the sixth time this season that the Falcons’ have scored six or more goals in a game.  Both of North Country’s losses have come in games where they scored three or fewer goals.

The Falcons return to action on Wednesday, January 30, as they face Spaulding High (4-5-1) in Barre.  The puck drops at 7:45 p.m.

Contact Richard Creaser at nek_scribbler@hotmail.com

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Though it may not have been apparent to North Country’s Whitney Bernier (on ice) at the time, the reaction of the fans and the glow of lamp indicated she had recorded he first goal of the game as the Falcons blanked the Rutland Red Raiders 3-0 on Saturday. As the puck slid into the net the only thing the defending Rutland players Sarah Hamilton (left), goaltender Brittany Pelkey and Alicia Williams (right) was watch. Photo by Richard Creaser

by Richard Creaser

copyright the Chronicle 1-27-2013

JAY — Despite losing two players to a lingering hip injury and pneumonia respectively, the North Country Falcons girls hockey team topped the visiting Rutland Red Raiders 3-0 on Saturday morning.  The win places North Country (9-3-1) in second spot in the Lake Division trailing only Harwood Union (10-2-1).

North Country’s Mikaella Doran was stellar between the pipes, turning aside all ten shots the Red Raiders managed on the day.  The North Country offense appeared sluggish in the opening period.  Though the Falcons looked strong from blue line to blue line, the momentum appeared to sputter and stall once in the offensive zone.

“We didn’t have a great first period,” Coach Claude Paul acknowledged after the game.  “But we were also trying to work with completely new lines out there.  I only had two of my centers with Corrina [Cota] out with pneumonia.”

Watching from the sidelines certainly wasn’t what Cota wanted to be doing.  Though still coping with her pneumonia she prowled the sidelines, shouting encouragement at her teammates.  Her frustration at being unable to join her teammates was most evident both when the team flourished and when it fell short.

Asked by Falcons boys hockey assistant coach Tim Bronson why she was even at the game if she was benched with pneumonia she offered a most telling reply:  ”I have to be here.  My team is playing.”

By the second period, North Country had apparently discovered a new chemistry despite the changes to the skating lines.  The Falcons defense kept the Red Raiders skirting the edges of the arena and preventing easy access to the net.  That screening, coupled with Doran’s steadfast presence in nets, provided North Country with all the defense it would need.

“I liked our defensive game,” Coach Paul said.  “We didn’t give them a lot of chances to score.  We had a couple of breakdowns on defense but we managed to recover.”

North Country Falcon Whitney Bernier (foreground right) breaks free of a pack of Rutland Red Raiders defenders during Saturday’s varsity hockey match up at the Ice Haus in Jay. Surrounding Bernier are Red Raiders Emily Catellier (left), Mia Steupert, fellow Falcon Cassidy Webster (background center) and Red Raiders Kailie Matteson (background right) and Alicia Williams. Photo by Richard Creaser

Whitney Bernier continued her solid sophomore season knocking in the Falcons’ first goal of the game at 1:36 in the second period on a feed from Anyas Morin.  North Country would strike again with less than a minute remaining in the second.  Savannah Alberghini-Giroux would bury a pass from Taylor Morley and Crystal Moss to give the Falcons a comfortable 2-0 lead heading into the final intermission.

Bernier would complete the scoring on the day as she slipped in a pass from Ashlee Daigle at 11:48 in the third to give the home side a commanding 3-0 lead.

Saturday’s win followed a philosophy that Coach Paul has set for the team.  Given how infrequently teams meet in the division, it becomes virtually impossible to develop a strategy specific to each opponent.  Rather, the coach must focus on what his players are doing on the ice.

“We set the tone of the game,” Coach Paul said.  “We decide the tone and they have to adapt to us, not the other way around.  If we can control the puck, control the zones, they have to play our game.”

The Falcons return to action hosting the visiting Stowe Raiders at 6 p.m. on Wednesday, January 30.

Contact Richard Creaser at nek_scribbler@hotmail.com

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