PAGE 8C — Addison Independent, Thursday, December 15, 2016
MOUNT ABRAHAM UNION HIGH SCHOOL
Mt. Abe Boys’ Basketball By ANDY KIRKALDY BRISTOL — It’s no secret the last couple of winters haven’t been the kindest to the Mount Abraham boys’ basketball team, who will be seeking their first victory since the Eagles’ four-win 2013-2014 campaign this season. But second-year Coach Martin Clark, while realistic, expects a step forward this winter. He notes almost all of the key players return as seniors, and believes they are ready to reverse some results. “I am optimistic. It is going to be a tough go, because we play the same teams we played last year. But I think we’ll be competing a little more this year,” Clark said. “I think we have three or four, maybe even five guys who are a lot more comfortable on the court, it being their third year at the varsity level. We’ve got some senior maturity, and they know what to expect, and I think they’re ready to handle it this year. So I expect some good things.” Clark’s top eight all saw significant
minutes a year ago. Senior Coleman Russell and either senior Chris Wood or senior Jack Willis will start in the backcourt; Clark said Wood and Willis will both play major roles and provide offense whether they start or give the Eagles a lift off the bench. Junior leading scorer and rebounder Jackson Counter returns at one forward spot and also provides valuable ballhandling skills. Seniors Finn Clements and Ryan Thompson will get the nod to start at center and forward respectively, and senior Caleb Bonvouloir and juniors Dustin Whitcomb and Ryan Bonar project to be the top substitutes in the frontcourt. Clark said he will give four more juniors, Lucas Livingston, Kyle Beatty, Derek Jackson and Dylan Hill, every opportunity to work their way into the rotation. He believes the Eagles started to make improvements at both ends of the court last season, and he expects that trend to continue this winter and move Mount Abe into the win
column. “I think offensively we’re going to push our points per game up,” Clark said. “And if we can shrink it defensively the other way, we’ll be in a good position and have some opportunities to win some games.”
Eagle hoops (Continued from Page 7C) hard-nosed play to the lineup, and LaRose said sophomore Jalen Rose, who showed promise as a freshman, is ready to become a full-time contributor at both ends of the court. Junior guard Vanessa Dykstra will join them in the starting lineup, at least until Mansfield and Radler return. All the remaining players are juniors. Jasmin Gile and Grace Norman could be the next two guards up, with Ally Hoff and Bailey Allard also available in the backcourt. Bridget Davis will probably be the first forward off the bench, followed by Robyn Arena and Kamryn Norse. Hoff could also play in the frontcourt, LaRose said. LaRose believes her veteran
Mount Abraham Union High School Varsity Boys’ Basketball Coach: Martin Clark Kyle Beatty Name Grade Ryan Bonar Caleb Bonvouloir 12 Jackson Counter Finn Clements 12 Derek Jackson Coleman Russell 12 Dylan Hill Ryan Thompson 12 Lucas Livingston Jack Willis 12 Dustin Whitcomb Chris Wood 12
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Mt. Abe Boys’ Varsity Basketball Date Opponent/Event Time 12/10 @ Randolph 2:30 p.m. 12/16 @ Fair Haven Union 7 p.m. 12/19 @ Winooski 7 p.m. 12/22 Otter Valley Union 7 p.m. 12/27 Randolph Union 7 p.m. 12/30 Winooski 7 p.m. 1/5 Mill River 7 p.m. 1/13 @ Vergennes Union 7 p.m. 1/17 @ Otter Valley Union 7 p.m. 1/21 @ Mill River Union 2:30 p.m. 1/24 Fair Haven Union 7 p.m. 1/27 Middlebury 7 p.m. 2/2 @ BFA/St. Albans 7:30 p.m. 2/4 Missisquoi 12:30 p.m. 2/7 Milton 7 p.m. 2/10 Vergennes 7 p.m. 2/15 @ Middlebury 7 p.m. 2/18 BFA/St. Albans 12:30 p.m. 2/21 @ Missisquoi 7:30 p.m.
Eagle wrestling
players can hold their own, and how well the newcomers off the bench adapt to varsity play will be critical. “They can do OK, but I’ve got to develop enough bench strength to give them a break and not give up everything that those kids have worked so hard for,” she said. The expected step forward for players like Cook and LaRose will be important to take pressure off Carter and create a more balanced attack, LaRose said. “It’s clear that Emma Carter is going to be the leader in scoring, but I also think she’s going to be tightly guarded,” she said. As well as staying and getting healthy, the Eagles will also have
to value the basketball and play tough defense. “We’ve got to stay within our offense,” LaRose said. “We just have to take care of the ball as if our life depended on it, and we have to play good defense. I think the rest of the things will come, but we can’t come down the floor and fire up an iffy shot.” If all goes well, LaRose said the Eagles could be a tough team, especially by the end of the season. “We’re not a team that’s going to blow anybody out of the water. We’re a team that’s going to compete nicely for the most part within our league and our non-league schedule,” she said. “I think we’re going to compete game-in and game-out.”
(Continued from Page 7C) Another success last winter was sophomore Kevin Pearsall, who won 39 matches at 182 and will wrestle at either 195 or 182 this winter. Also seeking spots along with Little in those weight ranges are three promising newcomers, senior Kobe Loftus at 195 and two freshmen, Richard Stalcup at 182 and Justice Green at 170. Junior Ben Murray won 38 matches at 126 last winter and won a match at the state meet, and Mayer expects good things from him again. At 106, senior Donovan Lamore went 29-12 as a first-year wrestler, and Mayer believes a podium placement this year is within Lamore’s grasp. Sophomore Dawson Philips is alone at 113, while Parker Gero will
work behind Mayer at 120. There is a logjam at 132 and 138. Veteran senior Gary Conant is penciled in at 138, but might drop down to 132, setting up a duel with another veteran, junior Christian Little, for that weight class. Mayer said the loser in that scenario might have to move up to 138. Junior Dakota Demore and freshman John Bent are also competing at 132 and might have some say, however. Senior Josh Hardy returns at 145 after an injury-plagued season. Mayer believes Hardy is ready to break through. “He lives and breathes wrestling and will be another powerhouse on the team,” he said. Two sophomores will battle for the job at 152 — T.J. Clark and Matt Cota — while another sophomore, Zachary Lavoie, is alone at 160.
Mayer is high on sophomore Ryan Durfee at 220, where sophomore Hailey Trayah is also battling. “We have high expectations for him,” Mayer said. Finally, football linemen Aaron Welk, a senior, and Peter Koenig, a sophomore, will duel for the starting job at 285. “Those are two big strong guys from the football team. I have no idea what’s going to happen there, but they’ll wrestle off,” Mayer said. Mayer said that the numbers are not the only good news. “I’d also add that overall we just have a great atmosphere within the team with everyone working intensely,” he said. “It is a great vibe having the practice room packed, music blasting, and sounds of wrestlers throwing each other around.”
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Mt. Abe
Cheerleading Squad Mount Abraham Union High School Varsity Cheerleading
Have a Great Season Eagles!
Coach: Cricket Emmons Name Grade Patrick Davison 12 Greta Meyer 11 Lillie Briggs 10 Hannah Carpenter 10 Carlyle Grundon 10
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