Sports

In boys basketball: Chargers struggle, fall to Rochester

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by Harris Kinsey

copyright the Chronicle 2-11-2013

CRAFTSBURY COMMON — Coming off a loss to Richford, the Craftsbury Academy boys varsity hoped to get a win at home against Rochester.  They tried but came up well short in a 74-27 loss.  Pavin Parrish of Rochester led all scorers with 31 points and he had well balanced scoring behind him as Rochester did a great job sharing the basketball.  Kyle Adams led Craftsbury with 14 points but the other players just couldn’t get anything done.  Craftsbury looked lost all game playing without their point guard Alex Vetere, due to injury, and this game was an indication that they badly need him.

The first quarter started out fast for Rochester as Parrish would score only 32 seconds into the quarter when he connected on a three-pointer to put Rochester up 3-0.  Craftsbury did not score until the 2:08 mark on a jumper by Brandon Locke.  Rochester would score 19 points in the quarter.  Craftsbury, not having Vetere, could not get organized, and scored only five points.  The first quarter ended with the score 19-5 in favor of Rochester.

The second quarter would start off fast again for Rochester with Parrish connecting on a layup only 40 seconds into the quarter.  Craftsbury would not score until the 4:50 mark when Frank Spiese made a layup for Craftsbury’s first score.  Play was stopped for a little while in the second quarter when Parrish scored a basket for his high school career point number 1,500.  The game picked up where it left off, and Rochester scored 23 points in the second to 6 points for Craftsbury.  The first half ended with Rochester leading 42-11.

Coming out from the locker room, Craftsbury hoped to shake off the struggles of the first half.  However Rochester would score only a minute into the quarter on a layup by Parrish.  Rochester’s defense was dominant.  They forced turnover after turnover.  Bad passes and forced plays by Craftsbury continued to be the story of the game as they continued to struggle, not having an established point guard on the floor.  Craftsbury would score only four points in the quarter, while Rochester again scored in double digits in a quarter with 15 points.  The third quarter ended with the score 57-15 in favor of Rochester.

The fourth quarter started fast again for Rochester as they scored only 12  seconds into the quarter on a layup by Tanner Pratt.  Their defense again took over and took advantage of Craftsbury, who, without Vetere to calm them down and direct play, seemed scattered and rushed.  Rochester again dominated and scored 17 points in the quarter, and held Craftsbury to 12 points.  The game ended with Rochester winning 74-27.

After the game, Coach Rick Thomas said, “We are struggling right now and playing scattered because we don’t have Vetere.  He is our calming presence and not having him for the rest of the season is going to be a struggle.  We just have to figure out how to play without him.”

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