After winning three consecutive championships, overcoming injuries and adversity, winning 10 games in a row down the stretch, and if you can believe it for the first time since 2015 (again throwing out the COVID year), Vermont will not be in the title game. It is someone else's turn. I say it a lot and it bears repeating, Vermont has had an unprecedented and frankly mythical run of success and to expect to never lose or have another team rise up is unrealistic. This was a roller-coaster season full of twists and turns and going all the way back to Jayhlon Young's de-commitment in June, it felt like the basketball gods were signaling that this year was going to be one full of challenges. Losing Shamir Bogues was the straw that broke the camel's back and the Cats season came to a close.
First and foremost, a tip of the cap to Maine, who beat Vermont for the first time since 2010 (that is quite a run). They absolutely dominated the game and executed on the defensive end like I haven't seen in a long time. The Cats had their struggles but most of the turnovers and missed shots were due to an insane defensive effort from Maine. Kellen Tynes played like a man possessed and dominated end to end. Maine came in and said "we are going to smother TJ Hurley and make someone else beat us" and boy did they execute that strategy. Hurley had no space and no time as Maine threw everything but the kitchen sink to stop him. The Black Bears were hungry. Vermont came out flat for the second straight game and this time they could not recover. Maine was all over them from the tip and forced the Cats into 17 turnovers which turned into 21 points for the Black Bears. Vermont was back on their heels and played very tentatively as it seemed like Maine defenders kept coming out of nowhere to get steals and swat shots. The Cats shot 25.9% from the field and 4-26 (15.4%) from three. The Cats defense was very good as well holding Maine to 38.6% shooting and 4-17 (23.5%) from three. They could not get anything to fall against the highly motivated and energetic Maine defense.
One incredible highlight was Sam Alamutu pulled down an herculean 21 rebounds! He worked very hard to initiate the offense and finished with 8 points. Ileri Ayo-Faleye finished with 14 points and 6 rebounds but shot 4-15 from the field. Hurley finished 1-15 from the field as he fell victim to three time defensive player of the year Kellen Tynes. I look forward to the Hurley revenge tour next season. Jace Roquemore went out with a bang, delivering quite an impressive poster dunk.
I will reflect and recap the season in the coming weeks but I wanted to thank to the team for another exciting season in Catamount country and now on to cheering for the Vermont Women's team on Friday!!
