Hoops Watch is updated weekly by Trey Peiffer
Now that a couple weeks have passed in the Vermont high school basketball season, it is time to bring back one of Vermont Scoreboard’s most popular features: Hoops Watch. There was a lot of positive response last season from players, coaches and fans and I am hoping for the same again this season. In fact, Hoops Watch was a primary reason I was the co-winner of the Vermont Basketball Coaches Association Media Award from last season which was quite an honor.
Early on this season, Mt. Mansfield looks like the cream of Division I at this point. While Rice and Rutland look promising, no team can match MMU’s resume so far. D-I is more wide open at this point compared to last season, which should make for an exciting two months ahead.
D-II is also wide open. Mt. St. Joseph, Mill River, and Fair Haven looked promising coming into the season but as of right now, Vergennes and Burr & Burton have jumped out as favorites for now. BBA has knocked off MSJ and Mill River while Vergennes has two D-I wins.
Williamstown (4-0) looks good so far after their move up to D-III, knocking off D-II contender U-32. Twinfield (4-0) has picked up from where they left off after last year’s undefeated season in D-IV.
Thanks for checking out my thoughts and please post your comments below about your point of view.
Trey’s Top 11
| Rank | Team Name | Record | LW | Notes |
| 1 | Mt. Mansfield | 4-0 | – | The Cougars have started hot to say the least. Four games, four wins and a 21.8 average winning margin. |
| 2 | Rice | 2-1 | – | After falling to MMU in their opener, Rice has rolled off two straight double digit wins. |
| 3 | Rutland | 4-0 | – | The Raiders have reloaded and look like a team that could return to Patrick Gym in March. |
| 4 | Brattleboro | 3-1 | – | The talented core of Travis Beeman-Nesbitt and Tommy Heydinger should keep the Colonels near the top of D-I all season. |
| 5 | Colchester | 2-2 | – | The Lakers didn’t fare well in their early tests vs. MMU and Rutland but are still a top team. |
| 6 | Mt. Anthony | 3-2 | – | The Patriots have lost a couple of road games in Mass. by close margins of two and five points. |
| 7 | Vergennes | 4-0 | The Commodores have raced out to 4-0, including a win vs. CVU. | |
| 8 | Burr & Burton | 3-1 | – | BBA is 3-1 with only a 7 pt loss vs. Brattleboro blemishing their record. |
| 9 | Spaulding | 2-2 | – | The Tide are only 2-2 but look to be in good shape going forward–losses are at Rice and a 5 pt defeat vs. Rutland. |
| 10 | CVU | 3-1 | – | The Redhawks are getting balanced scoring from new faces this season so far. |
| 11 | Williamstown | 4-0 | – | A little love for the top team in D-III so far. Sophomore Jason Manwaring has averaged over 19 ppg for the Blue Devils and dropped 25 pts/12 boards on a talented U-32 team. |
Games to watch this week:
TUESDAY:
U-32 (3-1) vs. Vergennes (4-0), Brattleboro (3-1) at Spaulding (2-2)
Both first day games in the Spaulding Tournament look like juicy matchups. After a key Division II battle between U-32 and Vergennes, Brattleboro gets an opportunity to test themselves in a game against a northern team.
FRIDAY:
Mt. Mansfield (4-0) at CVU (3-1)
The Redhawks face a tough test against the early D-I front runner.
Rice (2-1) at Mt. Anthony (3-2)
The Patriots host Rice in a rematch of one of last season’s Division I semifinal games.
Nice article and pretty much right on. Remember though MMU defeated Rice early
last season, but never did it when it counted. Saw Rice play BHS and they are big
and physical. Give some consideration to Twinfield, Chad Copeland is a nice big
man, with a lot of AAU experience.
Please give strong consideration to Williamstown Boys team. They are willing to play anyone. That does not mean they believe they can beat anyone, but will battle for 32 minutes anywhere, anytime. This is a strong core of year-round ballers who want nothing more than to hang another banner at any division. Coach Jack Carrier is not just an administrator for the team but an outstanding coach who teaches day in and day out. These boys are well worth the look.
Even though that Essex defeated South Burlington there was many things that impressed me while watching Essex play. They had a player who could consistently score at will. I think it was #32 and also had a solid core of guards on their squad. Also as they went to the bench even their subs would continue to control the pace of the game. I think that they should in the top 7 at least and they should be able to make a run for the Title late in the season. Also they just beat Mt. Anthony by 13 or something