CVU basketball teams playoff bound with high seeds

Scooter MacMillan, Editor

The Champlain Valley Union High boys basketball team will take a dominating regular season performance into the playoffs.
With two games remaining — tonight (Thursday, Feb. 23) against visiting South Burlington and Saturday, Feb. 25, at Rice — the boys are 17-1 and in first place.

CVU 61, Burlington 40
On Monday, Feb. 20, the Redhawks faced the visiting Burlington Seahorses and came away with a convincing 61-40 win.

The game started with CVU in control as the team took a 30-11 lead into halftime.

Although the Seahawks only managed 11 points in the first half, they got their offense rolling in the third quarter, outscoring CVU 15-12. By that time, it was too late for the visitors, as CVU continued to control the game.

CVU’s Tucker Tharpe and Burlington’s Charite Dzingbou led the scoring with each nabbing 18 points. Tharpe added 9 rebounds to his efforts. Kyle Eaton got 17 points and 8 rebounds.

CVU RedhawksCVU 47, Colchester 34
On Thursday, Feb. 16, the Redhawks traveled to Colchester High and came away with a 13-point win, 47-34.

Coach Michael Osborne described the contest as “kind of a slow burn.”

CVU jumped out to a 9-0 lead to start the game, but cooled down to just take a 25-19 lead into the half.

They went on a 10-2 run at the end of the half and beginning of the second. The Redhawks led wire to wire.

Osborne was pleased with Sam Sweeney’s shooting who knocked down three 3s and led the scoring with 13 total points. Tharpe knocked down 12 and Logan Vaughan 10.

CVU 73, Essex 51
At Essex High on Feb. 10, 13 Redhawks scored in a 22-point victory over the Hornets, 73-51.

Leading the scoring for the Redhawks was Eaton with 18 and Tharpe with 11.

Girls basketball
For the tenth time since 2012, the Redhawks take the No. 1 seed into the playoffs.

Like the boys, the Redhawks girls team has only one loss and no losses against Vermont teams, its only defeat coming against Shenendehowa High School of Clifton Park, N.Y.

“We are consistently playing good team basketball and improving defensively as the season continues,” Coach Ute Otley said. “We are getting great contributions from different players each night, with approximately 10 different players scoring each game.”

Champlain Valley 48, Rice 32
CVU took a 48-32 win over Rice at home on Saturday, Feb. 18, to end the regular season at 17-1.

The Redhawks led 25-10 at the break and 31-14 after three quarters.

Otley was proud of her team’s defense.

Shelby Companion led CVU with 15 points, Addi Hunter added 9 points and 8 rebounds, Elise Berger had 9 rebounds and 5 assists, and Samara Ashooh kicked in 7 points and 7 rebounds.

Champlain Valley 57, Burlington 37
Hunter led the scoring for CVU in a victory over Burlington on Feb. 15 with 15 points and 10 rebounds.

Companion added 9 points, 5 assists and 5 steals for the Redhawks, while Berger contributed 8 points, 4 assists and 4 steals.

Champlain Valley 59, Mount Mansfield 43
The day before, the Redhawks traveled to Mount Mansfield Union to take a 16-point win on Feb. 14.

Nursing just a 4-point led at halftime 32-28, CVU turned up the heat on defense in the second half, holding Mount Mansfield to three baskets.

Once again, Hunter led the way on offense with 19 points and 12 rebounds, while Companion kicked in 14 points. Berger dished out 11 assists.

CVU 61, St. Johnsbury 42
CVU had a quick start on Feb. 9 at home, taking an 18-6 lead after one quarter.

Hunter posted 22 points to lead the Redhawks. Berger added 12.