D1 BHS vs. D1 CHS: Colchester Ave. Clash

It was a game where any basket seemed to warrant celebration, with neither team able to crack open their offense until the 4th quarter. They entered the final stanza with a score of 23-18, but from then on each side found their groove. Colchester pushed Burlington to the very last possession after trailing, yet hanging around, the entire game, and the contest closed 38-36. Dive in and check out the top performers below!   [player_tooltip player_id='450194' first='Bree' last='McDonald'], 5'7 G - Burlington H.S. Class of 2025   The tone was set early on; with nice anticipation, Bree nabbed a couple of passes and went coast-to-coast for finishes at the rim. She organized the offense naturally and managed to find the range from 3 a couple times too, but it was transition finishes where she thrived. Moreover, McDonald added a few boards to the BHS cause too, putting together a nice little stat line with numerous steals as she led all scorers with 16. This BHS team is still gelling but the firepower from Bree and co. is obvious.   [player_tooltip player_id='645653' first='Atika' last='Haji'], 5'10 G/W - Burlington H.S. Class of 2025   Alongside Bree, Atika was setting the tone too, but from the inside. Haji opened the game with a couple of blocks at the rim, stunting any CHS rhythm from the outset. Furthermore, it was Atika who managed to find the bucket in the early goings for BHS with slashes and FTs. Her on-ball defense can be stifling, and she made opponents work for air space inside and out. Haji's 10-point contribution, blocks, and solid coverage was integral as BHS held on against a late CHS surge.   [player_tooltip player_id='1046824' first='Anya' last='Davis'], 5'6 G - Colchester H.S. Class of 2027   She might be a 2027, but Anya looked as composed and confident as anyone on the floor. Davis is the lead guard, and she orchestrated the offense well, organizing while managing solid ball pressure. She attacked the pressure when they overplayed, knifing into the paint where she distributed lots of looks for shooters, cutters, and finished a few plays herself. And you're not going to outwork her on the other end of the floor. Anya's hardnosed defense was apparent, and she hit the glass too. AD is one of VT's toughest '27s.   Harper Guthiem, 5'7 W - Burlington H.S. Class of 2027   Of all the players who flashed some sort of rhythm, it was Harper who looked to be most in the flow of the game. Guthiem's off-ball movement consistently put her in good position for kick outs and pressure releases. With the ball in her hands, Harper made a few nice moves off the bounce, finishing with savvy skill at the rim. Harper collected a few loose balls and rebounds too, giving BHS just that little extra oomph to hold onto the W.   [player_tooltip player_id='645616' first='Nylah' last='Mitchell'], 5'9 W/F - Burlington H.S. Class of 2025   While Nylah's scoring output may have quieted down since their first two contests, her effort and high-IQ hoop never waver. Mitchell's swiss-army knife work brought second chance scoring opportunities, solid interior post work, sound defense inside, and plenty of boards. Her snappy passing put teammates in advantageous position whether she was working the post or operating from the wing. Nylah's versatility is obvious, as is her infectious celebration of teammates and willingness to do whatever's required to win games.   [player_tooltip player_id='446536' first='Nicole' last='Norton'], 5'8 G/W - Colchester H.S. Class of 2024   Norton had a relatively quiet game offensively by her standards, collecting a team-high 11 points after posting 18 and 17 in CHS' first two outings. Yet she remained stoic and made significant impact on the defensive end. Nicole's defense on the ball caused substantial disruption to opposing guards, and her off-ball positioning + rotations made BHS think twice when passing or attacking. Norton's effort doesn't fade defensively, and it often fuels her offense.   [player_tooltip player_id='481454' first='Lexie' last='Litchfield'], 5'6 G - Colchester H.S. Class of 2026   There's no doubt that Lexie has always been a scrapper. Litchfield's toughness defensively is one of her strongest attributes. Yet it was her shot-making, crisp passing, and solid screening that caught my eye in this one. Litchfield looked confident as ever getting her shot off, netting a couple threes and a long two, finishing with 10. Moreover, she hit players on time within CHS' sets and planted solid screens to free teammates up. Lexie's coming into her own.

It was a game where any basket seemed to warrant celebration, with neither team able to crack open their offense until the 4th quarter. They entered the final stanza with a score of 23-18, but from then on each side found their groove. Colchester pushed Burlington to the very last possession after trailing, yet hanging around, the entire game, and the contest closed 38-36. Dive in and check out the top performers below!