THETFORD — Thetford Academy girls basketball coach Eric Ward called Wednesday’s 57-15 win over Randolph “workmanlike,” saying his players were still a little tired from a road trip they’d taken on Monday.
The Panthers made the 2½-hour drive south that night to catch the University of Connecticut women’s basketball team play the U.S. national team in Hartford, Conn., at the XL Center. Ward had received the invite from the program, and the trip gave the Panthers a close-up view to one of the country’s storied women’s basketball operations.
“I have attended a few clinics at UConn and attended some practices as well,” Ward said in an email. “It was a great experience for the girls. A chance to meet some of the best players in the world.”
Four former UConn players — Sue Bird, Katie Lou Samuelson, Breanna Stewart and Diana Taurasi — suited up for the United States. The Americans won, 79-64, in front of a crowd of 13,919 in the first of two exhibitions against college squads. The U.S. was scheduled to play Louisville on Sunday in advance of the start of Olympic qualifying later this month.
While the contest served a something of a reunion for the Huskies, it became a bit of a star-struck moment for some of Ward’s players.
“Sue Bird came up to our team and started a conversation,” Ward said. “She asked if any of the girls wore No. 10, her UConn number. Macey Smith said she did. Sue took off her shoes, autographed them and gave them to her. A priceless moment.”
Ward noted that former UConn star Rebecca Lobo also took a break from her ESPN announcing duties to do a quick mingle.
“A great night not to practice,” Ward noted, “but watch the best.”
Dancosse steps to the fore: To no great surprise, Lebanon High has hired Matt Dancosse to take over the Raiders’ golf program.
Dancosse served as Chris Pollard’s junior varsity coach last fall. Pollard resigned from the varsity position following last season to concentrate on his family and his work toward becoming a PGA Class A golf professional.
Lebanon athletic director Mike Stone noted Dancosse is a physical education teacher in the Lebanon School District. He’s been involved with other Raider sports programs in the past and is no stranger to the school or its golf team.
Meanwhile, Stone wasn’t sure whether Pollard’s departure or Dancosse’s hiring will have any influence on where Lebanon plays its matches next fall. Pollard, in recent years, moved the Raiders to Eastman Golf Links, where he works as an assistant pro; he indicated last month that the Grantham club would still welcome the Lebanon program, which formerly played matches at Carter Golf Club.
The century club: Newport High’s 36-24 dual-meet wrestling victory over Campbell on Wednesday came with a significant milestone.
Junior Josh Sharron racked up his 100th career victory in the defeat of the Cougars. It served as the highlight of a dual meet in which teammates Anson Ritondo, Jordan Warburton, Mike Wilkinson, Marius Edwards and Luke Bartlett also claimed wins. The decision — combined with Saturday’s 42-30 loss at Con-Val — unofficially left the Tigers with a 4-2 mark in NHIAA duals this winter.
According to Newport coach Zakk Sharron, who is Josh’s older brother, Josh is the sixth wrestler in program history to accumulate 100 wins, following Gavin Lovely last season. Another Sharron brother, Tyler, was the fourth to reach 100 victories before heading off to college. Tyler Sharron is on the roster at New Mexico Highlands University in Las Vegas, N.M., taking a redshirt year after transferring from Minot (N.D.) State University.
Greg Fennell can be reached at gfennell@vnews.com or 603-727-3226.