Local roundup: Champion Stevens bowlers win home opener

CLAREMONT — The Stevens High bowling team moved to 2-0 on the young season — and raised the program’s latest NHIAA state championship banner in the process — with a 2-1 victory over Souhegan in the Baker match finals at Maple Lanes Saturday.

Stevens lost the first game to the Sabers, 170-148, but came back to win the next two, 167-154 and 227-166. In the qualifying rounds, the Cardinals’ top bowlers were Cameron Bard (154, 234), Colby Craig (209, 201) and R.J. Raymond (222,176).

The Cardinals took a seven-game decision from Hollis-Brookline in last season’s state championshp match. Stevens also ruled the roost with a six-game defeat of Keene in 2019.

Stevens travels to Raymond on Saturday for a match that will include Goffstown.

RUTLAND — Corrine George (214) and Cean Lieberman Jr, (217) were the top singles bowlers for Hartford, which qualified sixth out of nine teams in the Baker system playoff at Saturday’s Kickoff Classic at Rutland Bowlerama. The Hurricanes were eliminated in the first round by Brattleboro.

Hartford and Windsor bowl at Brattleboro Saturday.

Boys HockeyHartford 10, St. Johnsbury 1

LYNDON CENTER, Vt. — The Hurricanes, led by Joseph Barwood’s three goals, filled the net Saturday in their season opener at Fenton Chester Arena.

Also scoring were Ezra Mock (2), Ozzie DeFelice (2), Aidan Boonyaharn, James McReynolds and Nate Clark. Assists were by Lochlan Park (3), Boonyaharn (2), Blaine Gour (2), Tighe Hrabchak, Mock, James McReynolds, Jaden Poirier and Logan Caffrey.

Goalies Davey Bradley and Sean Kelliher combined to make five saves.

ESSEX JUNCTION, Vt. — The Wasps dropped their season opener to a powerful Essex squad, which outshot Woodstock, 46-9. Woodstock goalie Keaton Piconi had 41 saves.

Girls HockeyHartford 3, Middlebury 2

WHITE RIVER JUNCTION — Freshman Emma Bazin scored twice and junior goaltender Sydney Stillman had several big saves in her first varsity win for the Hurricanes.

Tied after one period, the Hurricanes netted a second-period goal and made it stand up for the win.

“It’s always great to start of the season with a win,” said coach Kylie Young. “We still have a lot to work on. We have two forward lines returning this season, qualified defensemen and some promising young players that will develop to be a strong support for us. It’s great to have fans back in the arena this season. It’s nice to have that energy once again.”

WOODSTOCK — The Wasps (1-0) fired home the final six goals of the game, starting with two within seconds of each other early in the middle period, to roll past the Thunderbirds in their season opener at Union Arena.

Up 2-1, Woodstock’s Kassidy Haley and Isabel Konijnenbery scored 19 seconds apart to get the charge going. Haley finished the game with a hat trick and two assists, while Konijnberg ended up with two goals and one helper.

Gracelyn Laperle, Alix Livingston and Skyler Haley also scored for the Wasps. Laperle posted two assists; Skyler Haley, Maggie Mello, Sophie Yates and Hannah Gubbins had one apiece. Meridian Bremel needed two saves in goal for the victory.

WrestlingWilkinson leads Newport

TILTON, N.H. — With just five wrestlers, the Tigers lost most matches by forfeit in six-team Winnisquam Early Bird Tournament, but their wrestlers did well individually.

Junior Eric Wilkinson (132 pounds) was 5-0 with two pins for Newport, and senior Luke Bartlett (220) was 4-1 with four pins. Sophomore Seth Adam (160) pinned for his only win.

Junior Ryan Nelson (132) went 2-2 on the day, and sophomore Dylan Wharburton (152) had a pair of pins in a 2-3 tournament.

Boys BasketballHartford 57, White River Valley 42

WHITE RIVER JUNCTION — Hartford (2-0) pushed the pace on White River Valley (1-1) and the Wildcats just couldn’t keep up, leaving the Hurricanes as champs of the first Stretch Gillam Kickoff Classic with the win.

Senior forward Jacob Seaver led the Hurricanes with 14 points, 12 of which came in the first half. His athleticism was key for Hartford on the glass and on defense. Senior guard Tarin Prior added nine points.

Hartford head coach Jeff Thomas said the fast pace was intentional, and the Canes used press defense to force the Wildcats to play at Hartford’s preferred speed.

“Our goal was to really push the ball, which is pretty much our goal every night.” Thomas said. “I think the pace in the beginning was really what we wanted to do. My fear was that they were going to try to slow it down. But I’m telling you, White River Valley, man, those kids are good. They played really good and with a lot of heart.”

Senior guard Dominic Craven led WRV with 19 points. He did all he could to keep the Wildcats in the game, but Hartford’s speed just caused too many problems on both ends of the floor. Senior forward Austin Tracy chipped in nine points.

WRV head coach Mike Gaudette said the Hurricanes’ depth advantage allowed them to play so fast.

“Sometimes it’s not so much in the Xs and the Os; it’s more about the Jimmies and the Joes. And they got more Jimmies than we do Joes,” Gaudette said. “But I give our kids a lot of credit. We worked hard tonight. We just ran out of gas.”

The Canes will travel to face Milton on Friday. The Wildcats host Proctor on Tuesday.

WHITE RIVER JUNCTION — Green Mountain emerged victorious in the consolation game of the Stretch Gillam Kickoff Classic, outlasting Oxbow.

The Olympians fought and kept it close early. Green Mountain beat the buzzer at the end of the first quarter to make it 9-6.

But the Chieftains ultimately had too much for Oxbow to handle. They pulled away in the second quarter, and the O’s able to sustain their own run to get back in the game.

Freshman forward Zadian Walton led Oxbow with eight points. Sophomore forward Brady Nichols and senior forward Andrew Emerson added six points each.

Oxbow will host Thetford on Wednesday.