by Aaron Warner

The setting at the Aud in Barre Saturday afternoon where the number one ranked Hartford Hurricanes (22-2) faced the second ranked, and three-time defending state champions, Solons of Montpelier (21-3).  As the teams came out on to the court to warm-up the applause matched the stakes of the game.  The Montpelier players heard a smattering of applause from fans used to the big stage, while the Hurricane faithful roared for a team facing a ninety-year drought as Vermont state champs.  

After a lengthy crowd and player sportsmanship warning that threatened everything just short of a firing squad for bad behavior, followed by a lovely rendition of the national anthem the teams took the court. 

Montpelier won the tip and immediately tasted the tenacious defense Hartford had exhibited all season defeating multiple opponents by fifty or more points.  Senior Christian Hathorn forced a turnover leading to a Hartford put back off a rebound followed by another defensive stop and a three-pointer giving the Canes an early 5-0 lead. Another defensive stop by Hartford and a forced turnover had the Hurricane crowd raising the volume in anticipation. 

However the Montpelier inside game would display what was to come throughout the contest as Solon big man Atif Milak (6’4”) got his team on the board with a lay-up in the post.  Hartford extended the lead to 7-2 before the Solon defense tightened up followed by a pair of baskets tying the game at 7-7.  

The Hartford offense relies on timing which worked to their advantage for much of the first quarter, however the aggressive Solon defenders were quick to contend outside shooters as well as frustrate the Hurricane high post screens that set up easy lay-ups making it difficult for Hartford to find a rhythm. Both teams played at a championship level of intensity, however the Solons drew on their experience to pull the game to an 11-11 tie after one quarter.  

The second quarter began with Hartford’s Brayden Trombly sinking two free-throws to put the Canes ahead 13-11.  Both teams traded lay ups leading to a fast paced series of scoring seeing the Canes take a 22-18 lead before the Solons extended their half-court offense on the sharp-shooting of junior Carson Cody (#10) who would sink consecutive three-pointers giving the Solons a 26-22 lead.  Hartford big man Brody Tyburski used his muscle inside to bring the Canes within two before Montpelier went on a devastating 7-2 run with Cody’s electric play putting the Solons up 33-24 at the half.

The second half began like the first with Hartford forcing a turnover followed by a Tyburski lay-up giving the Hartford hopeful a reason to raise the roof, but it was short lived as Cody nailed another three to quiet them down.  Up 36-26 the Solon defense swarmed Tyburski inside the paint forcing a three-second violation.  A foul at the other end by Hathorn followed by two free-throws and the lead was now twelve at 38-26. Milak continued to dominate inside as Montpelier’s ball movement found him wide open for a 40-26 advantage and it was clear Hartford would need to make adjustments. After a time-out the Canes defense switched to a half-court press forcing the Solons to make long cross-court passes giving the speedy Hartford defense opportunities to steal the ball, which they did, but couldn’t capitalize as Montpelier stayed aggressive contesting several Hartford lay-ups keeping the lead at 44-30 to end the third quarter. 

With the weight of the Bambino-like curse hanging in the air the crowd of Hurricane fans stood and cheered their squad who continued to press in the half court forcing turnovers leading to a three-pointer by Sean Dunton bringing Hartford within 44-33. A series of wild plays culminated in an apparent dunk put-back by Milak which was called for basket interference and the Canes student section chanting “YOU CAN’T DO THAT!” 

Still facing a sizeable green mountain to climb the Canes gave up a lay-up to Zach Johnson followed by Tyburski with another strong play in the post putting it at 48-37 with four minutes to play.  Montpelier’s coach called a full timeout giving the Canes some much needed rest and perhaps a chance to rally.  Trombly would hit two free-throws and speedy Hartford Guard Ayodele Lowe drove baseline for a lay-up before Milak responded with another basket in the paint, Solons leading 50-41 with 1:42 on the clock. 

A randy Solon student section jeered the crowd with “IT’S ALL OVER!” only to have Tyburski drain a three pointer followed by Hathorn hitting three clutch free-throws after getting fouled on a three-point attempt bringing the Canes to within 52-47. The rafters at the Aud were shaking as the Hartford crowd poured their energy into one last rally.  Forced to press the Hartford defense would eventually reach the foul penalty putting Montpelier on the free throw line where they would ice the game extending the lead to 58-49 as time ran out.  

This Hurricanes team will be one not soon forgotten as they terrorized opponents all year winning by an average of more than twenty points on the season.  Their final record of 22-2 is the stuff of champions however Montpelier’s basketball dynasty begins the decade as they hold their fourth state title in five years looking to next season as one of the early favorites with co-MVP caliber players Cody and Milak both coming back for their senior season.