LEBANON — The Lebanon High girls basketball team didn’t leave the Lang Metcalf Gymnasium court during halftime of its NHIAA Division II game against Derryfield on Monday. Instead, the Raiders reran their pregame warmup drills, second-year coach Chris Boucher’s plan to hopefully have his team begin the second half hot.

Sadly for the Raiders, the tactic fell flat. Derryfield won, 50-27, and dropped Lebanon to 1-6.

“We had to try something to change our routine,” said Boucher, whose squad has struggled with slumps after intermission this season. “We were executing our plays well, but we couldn’t finish.”

The Cougars (3-3) were led by Tia Ferdinando, who had 14 points. Lebanon received nine points from Sarah Belk, who fouled out during the fourth quarter. Lucy Eshbaugh added six points for the hosts.

Lebanon’s season-long trend of frequent turnovers continued. Boucher said his team averaged roughly 40 turnovers per game during each of its first three contests, and he estimated the Raiders coughed the ball up more than 30 times Monday.

Inbounds plays were particularly troublesome for a squad with one senior and two juniors.

“We’re a JV team playing a varsity schedule,” Boucher said, noting that Lebanon’s lineup against the Cougars was missing three players out with concussions and another out because of illness. “When you’re giving away so many possessions, that’s tough to overcome.”

Nonetheless, the coach’s postgame message was positive.

“We can’t give up,” said Boucher, whose team was 13-10 last winter. “Success will come eventually.”

Lebanon, which was outscored, 19-6, during the fourth quarter and suffered its fourth consecutive loss, visits Coe-Brown on Friday.

Thetford 80, Oxbow 39

BRADFORD, Vt. — The Panthers ran a full-court press to perfection and converted turnovers into easy baskets. Kelsey Bogie led the visitors with 28 points.

Addie Cadwell added 14 points for Thetford (6-2), and Charlize Brown chipped in 12. Oxbow, which starts three freshmen and two sophomores, was unable to generate consistent offense as the Panthers’ defense, which frequently had four players in the backcourt, forced errant passes.

Maggi Ellsworth led the hosts with eight points.

“We’re just playing really good defense,” Thetford coach Jolene Cadwell said. “We have our hands up, we’re quick, we’re working together, we’re rotating well.”

The Panthers are at Lamoille on Thursday, the same night Oxbow (4-3) hosts Rivendell.

Newport 55, Sunapee 42

NEWPORT — Taylor Fellows had 32 points as the Tigers (1-5) got into the win column for the first time this season.

Elizabeth Tschudin had 19 points and Brynn Smith had 11 points for the Lakers (4-3).

Newport visits Hillsborough-Deering on Friday.

Bellows Falls 42Mid Vermont Christian 32

QUECHEE — Alyssa Roberts had 13 points and Lydia Dickey had 10 points for the Eagles, who fell to 2-3.

“Their press really hurt us in the second quarter,” said MVCS coach Chris Goodwin, whose team visits Twinfield on Jan. 17. “We just turned it over too much. We were able to cut their lead to three points with a few minutes left.”

Richford 71, Rivendell 13

RICHFORD, Vt. — The rebuilding Raptors fell to 0-7 and will be at Oxbow on Thursday.

BOYS BASKETBALL White River Valley 66West Rutland 28

SOUTH ROYALTON – Brayden Russ had 17 points and Wyatt Campbell had 13 points to help the Wildcats improve to 4-3.

Brayen Colgan led the visitors with 10 points.

White River Valley hosts Mill River on Wednesday.

Newport 68, Sunapee 22

NEWPORT — Kayden LaClair had 33 points, Aaron Fellows had 14 points and Christian Forsythe had 10 points for the Tigers (1-4) in a victory over the Lakers.

Sam Flint led Sunapee, which was outscored, 32-7, during the first quarter, with seven points. The Lakers are 1-6. ‘

Newport hosts Hillsborough-Deering on Friday.

UNIFIED BASKETBALL Berlin 38, Hanover 26

BERLIN, N.H. — Eli Weintraub led the visiting Bears with eight points. Hanover (0-2) hosts Newfound on Jan. 23.

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