Lady Hornets Upset Craftsbury
By Laurie-Jean B. Gauthier

The Whitcomb Lady Hornets finished the regular season at Rochester last Tuesday, hoping to avenge their season opening 40-30 Bean Pot defeat. It wasn’t meant to be, unfortunately, as the Hornets fell to their hosts, 52-31.

Rochester took a commanding nine-point lead, 11-2, during the first quarter, and never looked back as they cruised to victory. Rochester’s Sam Mishkit led all scorers with 21 points, followed by Hornet Laurel Adams with 15. Rockette Desiree Bourassa had 10.

Whitcomb finished the season at 4-16 and got the 13^th seed. Rochester finished the season 12-7 and got the seventh seed. They were scheduled to face the 10^th seeded Blue Mountain Bucks at Randolph Union High School in Randolph.

Play-Off Game

Unlucky # 13? Not for the Lady Hornets, who traveled to Hardwick to face the fourth seeded Craftsbury Chargers at Hazen Union High School on Monday, in D-IV playoff action. The Hornets lost to the chargers twice during the regular season, 48-37 in Craftsbury and 41-40 in Bethel, but that was not the case when they met for the third time. Whitcomb stunned their opponents with a two-point OT upset-victory, 48-46. The win moves the Hornets into quarterfinal action against the fifth seeded Williams-town Blue Devils (12-9) tonight in Williamstown at 7 p.m.

According to Hornet coach Whitey Adams there wasn’t any single play that accounted for the victory. Not a buzzer beating hoop. Not a last-minute steal or time-determining rebound. Nothing special. Just a well-executed and solid all-around team effort and well-played game. Molly Taylor did an outstanding job running the offense, while Laurel Adams delivered the goods, leading all scorers with 25 points. Tia McKenna played a solid defense and made several great steals. Everybody gave it their all.

At the start of the season, Adams hinted that he felt that his squad was going to be fun to watch, and possibly that they might even surprise us some. Well, he was right! Surprise us they did, and hopefully the fun has just begun! Good luck, Lady Hornets!

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