CVU's Amanda Kinneston goes up for a shot against SB. (Photo: Paul Lamontagne)
Girls Basketball Division I Championship
#3 Rice (18-5) vs. #5 CVU (17-6)
At Patrick Gym 7:00pm
With apologies to indoor track, gymnastics, dance, cheerleading, and mountain events, the first of the big four Vermont state championships will be crowned tonight at UVM’s Patrick Gym. In the Division I girls basketball title game, the #3 seed Rice will take on #5 seed CVU.
In very simple terms, CVU can be described as a “slow”, “few possessions”, “defensive-minded” team compared to Rice being an “up-tempo”, “can score from anywhere”, and “throw up many shots” type team.
Both teams have plenty of scorers. Senior Reagan Jewell was on a mission in Rice’s semifinal win vs. Burr & Burton. While she scored 16 points and grabbed 10 rebounds, her defense is what shined. Eight of her rebounds were off the defensive side and she also grabbed two steals. Elsewhere on the Green Knights, Kylie Rice loves hitting threes and Ellen Boucher can usually score at will. Freshman Hailee Barron can also have big scoring nights.
How they got here
Rice beat #14 North Country, #11 Mt. Anthony and #2 Burr and Burton.
CVU beat #12 Hartford, #4 Essex, and #1 South Burlington.
Regular season meetings
Teams Split 1-1
December 23: Rice 44, CVU 38
January 11: CVU 45, Rice 41
Quick facts
- CVU is 5-0 all time versus Rice in the playoffs.
- Both teams lost in their last appearance in the D-I title game, both to Mt. Anthony. (CVU – 2008, Rice – 2007)
The Redhawks typically receive the bulk of their scoring from Shae Hulbert and Amanda Kinneston. CVU will be without their second-leading scorer, junior Remi Donnelly, who hurt her ankle Tuesday night vs. SB. Donnelly is also one of CVU’s best defenders.
“Remi is not available tonight. She’s the one who guards Jewell, so we’ll have to look for other solutions,” said Evans.
CVU received 16 points off the bench against SB Tuesday night, including a team high 11 points from Lazrin Schenck. Schenck most likely will start for the Redhawks tonight.
“We’ll rely on our depth and other excellent defenders,” said Evans. “and hope for the best.”
Tonight’s probably starters:
Rice: Ellen Boucher, Katie Kowalski, Hailee Barron, Kylie Rice, Reagan Jewell.
CVU: Carlee Evans, Shae Hulbert, Amanda Kinneston, Elana Bayer-Pacht and Lazrin Schenck
Follow @VTscoreboard for live updates from tonight’s game.