2013 D-2, D-3 and D-4 H.S. boys basketball state title game numbers and notes

I will be once again covering all three high school boys basketball state championships for the Burlington Free Press tomorrow at the Barre Auditorium and in advance of that, here are some numbers and notes on each game.

Division II - No. 1 Vergennes (23-0) vs. No. 2 Burr and Burton (21-2), 3:45 p.m.

Vergennes won its first playoff game by 19 points, its' quarterfinal by eight and it's semifinal by 5. So, is that an indiciation that a team that outscored opponent by an average score of 67-44 this season is slipping? Not so, according to coach Peter Quinn.

"I think there was this illusion we were going to beat everyone by 25 points because that was our average during the year, but we are playing better teams now," said Quinn.

The Commodores are seeking their fourth state title and first since 2001 when they defeated Lamoiulle 71-56. Vergennes lost in the finals to MSJ last year, 56-48.

One of the most experienced teams in the state with 10 seniors, the Commodores have a balanced attack with Charlie Stapleford, Dan McGrath, Shep Carter, Brendon Huestis and Zach Oullette all scoring in double figures in at least one playoff game, thus far. Notably missing from the list is Stanley Salley, who led the team with 14 points and nine rebounds per game in the regular season.

Vergennes likes to force teams into mistakes and capitalize by using their athleticism and depth to run teams into submission.

Kind like what Burr and Burton likes to do, really.

Another athletic team with a plethora of seniors (seven), the Bulldogs are aiming for their 10th state final (after going 9-0 in their first title games) and their first crown since an infamous 24-22 win over Fair Haven in the 2006 title game (the lowest-scoring Final Four tournament game in Barre Auditorium history).

The Bulldogs also have played closer games with each playoff round, winning by 32 in the first game, 14 in the quarters and nine in the semifinals.

Seniors Jake Stalcup and Weston Muench and sophomore Joey Shehadi have been the offensive stalwarts in the playoffs. Stalcup had 25 points and 11 rebounds in the quarterfinals and 23 points in the semis. Shehadi has averaged 14.7 points in the playoffs and Meunch popped in 12 points in the quarters.

This is just the second time the schools have played in the playoffs. In 1979, BBA bopped VUHS 82-43 in the playdowns and in 1967 Vergennes prevailed in the quarterfinals 67-63.

One 'X' factor could be the health of VUHS sparkplug Shep Carter, who was helped off the court sans shoe after the game following an ankle injury. With five days between the semi and final, time will tell if that is enough to give him enough time to heal sufficiently to contribute in the manner he typically does.

Division III - No. 1 Williamstown (23-0) vs. No. 2 Thetford (19-4), 7:30 p.m.

The Blue Devils are gunning for their second-straight title and fifth overall (including one in Division IV).

The Panthers have their sight set on their first title since 2004 and fourth overall.

The teams are very similar with aggressive defenses, opportunistic offenses and the ability to push the ball up and down the court and to attack the rim with athleticism. It has the potential to be a track meet at The Aud and it may come down to which team can protect the ball better and which team is more effective when the possessions are extended.

If it comes down to free throws, you have to like the Blue Devils who were 24-for-26 in the semifinals. Some teams struggle to find their stroke shooting on the unfamiliar rims at the Barre Aud. Obviously, this is not a problem for the Blue Devils who have plenty of experience in that environment.

Jason Manwaring, Seth Atherton and Hunter McLaughlin have led the Blue Devils in scoring in the playoffs.

Ian Weider, Brandon Gray, Aiden Cleaves and Dominic Chatot have reached double figures in scoring for a Thetford team that is playing in its sixth state title game in 12 years and its 10th Final Four in 13 years.

Williamstown won the lone regular season meeting by 14 points, 78-64, back on Dec. 28.

One factor in Thetford's favor on an anecdotal level is that the top-seed in the Division III tournament has failed to win the state title in every year since 2006.

Division IV - No. 1 Rochester (22-1) vs. No. 6 West Rutland (16-7), noon

West Rutland is the lone surprise team to reach the boys basketball state championships this winter. However, the Golden Horde know something about pulling up title-game upsets at The Aud. Back in 1995,  seventh-seeded West Rutland won its most recent (and 13th) state title with a 51-48 win over fourth-seeded Rochester.

The upset would be even more monumental this time around, but certainly within the realm of possiblity.

Rochester has the best player in the division - and one of the best in the state - in guard Pavin Parrish (averaging nearly 30 points per game in the playoffs), but the Golden Horde are deep and have the athleticism and poise to hang with the high-flying Rockets.

Rochester is looking for its sixth overall state title after securing three in Division IV and one each in Divisions II and II. The Rockets last title was back in 1993 and they are 0-3 in their last three state title games, falling in the 1995, 96 and 98 title games.

This is their second straight trip to the Final Four following a 13-year drought.

The Rockets shot 56 percent from the floor in their semifinal win, led by a 14-for-19 effort by Parrish and he's on his game and Mike Smith, Clay Walker and Tanner Pratt can continue to shoulder a part of the load offensively, the Blue Devils are clearly the team to beat in this match-up.

However, West Rutland has plenty of scoring options and even if standout Jordan Pease or one of his two main supporting cast members: Joey Callahan and Chris Charbonneau are struggling, perhaps, just perhaps, the Gold Horde will be able to add another chapter to a very storied Vermont high school basketball playoff history.

SHAWN CORROW is the currently sleep-deprived owner of Cold Hollow Photographer, frequent contributor these days to the Burlington Free Press and slowly becoming a piece of furniture at the Barre Auditorium.

Numbers and notes for Day 1 at The Aud

I will be assisting the Free Press sports department - where I was once a proud staffer in a different lifetime - again the Barre Auditorium this year. My first assignment is Monday's D-II/D-IV doubleheader.

Good buddy Alex Abrami beat me to the punch with a preview on the Varsity Insider blog at 1:15 a.m., but not to be completely outdone I'm going to go a little second-level with my numbers to add some more depth to his first-rate, first-look.

After you fill up on his hearty note package, come back here for dessert.

Division IV - No. 1 Rochchester (21-1) vs. No. 5 Twinfield (15-7), 6:30 p.m.

This the 11th all-time playoff meeting for the two schools, with each team winning five times. This is the fifth time they have played in the semifinals, with each team winning twice. In their long playoff histories, the teams have amassed the same amount of playoff wins (Rochester is 52-40 and Twinfield is 52-37).

What do these numbers have to do with tonight's game? Nothing, but they are interesting to note. At least to me.

And because this blog is all about me, I'm going to indulge with more numbers and share their entire playoff history. Hey, I didn't say this stuff was going to be riveting, just informative.

1968 - Rochester 81, Twinfield 70 - Semis

1969 - Twinfield 69, Rochester 61 - Finals

1970 - Rochester 63, Twinfield 57 - Finals

1972 - Twinfield 67, Rochester 64 - Semis

1980 - Twinfield 79, Rochester 53 - Finals

1993 - Rochester 50, Twinfield 45 - Semis

1995 - Rochester 79, Twinfield 72 - Semis

1997 - Twinfield 62, Rochester 55 - Finals

1999 - Rochester 54, Twinfield 47 - Playdowns

2012 - Twinfield 63, Rochester 52 - Semis

In addition to the scoring information in Alex's blog, according to the Times Argus' Anna Grearson's Twitter timeline, David Codling scored 27 points in the Trojans' 58-37 playdown win over Craftsbury, leaving him 27 shy of 1,000. He then, according the Free Press report on the quarterfinal game, had 10 points in the 61-47 win over Danville. I'm no math major (or any major, for that matter) but that means he may need just 17 points tonight to reach the milestone.

While Twinfield has six more losses than Rochester this season - including one to the Rockets - a closer look reveals their record may not be a complete indicator as to their ability this season.

Of their seven losses, five are to teams in the Final Four and five of their losses are by four points or less, including the four-point loss to the Rockets.

Twinfield also fell to Rivendell by 3, Thetford by 4, Williamstown by 2 and 15, Rochester by 4, Oxbow by 3 ad Danville by 15.

The Trojans average 64.1 points per game and allow 50.7 points per game. They have scored as many as 94 and as few as 41 points in a game this season and have allowed a season-high of 75 and a season low of 36.

Twinfield is the two-time defending state champs, has a 10-game playoff win streak and is playing in its fourth straight Final Four. The Trojans are 11-6 in Division IV semifinals in their history have won nine state titles, including one in Division III.

Rochester is seeking its' first title since 1998 and is making its second straight Final Four appearance after a 13-year absence. The Rockets have won five state titles, three in Division IV, one in Division III and one in Division II, but none since a 61-60 win over Craftsbury back in 1993. The Rockets are 13-10 all-time in semifinal games.

The Rockets, riding a 14-game win streak, average 72.8 points per game and allow an average of 41.4. They scored a season high of 92 and a season low of 47 in their quarterfinal win over Blue Mountain. They have allowed a season high of 73, in their lone loss to undefeated D-III power Williamstown and have twice allowed just 27 points in a game this season.

Division II - No. 1 Vergennes (22-0) vs. No. 5 U-32 (16-6), 8:15 p.m.

Again, I urge you to read Alex's blog for some great scoring stats from this season and information about the regular-season game the teams played and then come back if you want some more minuntae to ponder.

Despite the fact the two schools have played practically of their playoff games in the Division II tournaments over the years, this is just the fourth all-time playoff meeting between the schools.

2000 - Vergennes 62, U-32 57 - Playdowns

1985 - Vergennes 66, U-32 53 - Quarterfinals

1976 - Vergennes 62, U-32 61 - Playdowns

Vergennes sports an all-time playoff record of 44-36, including a 2-2 mark in the Division III tournament. The Commodores are 7-9 in semifinal games in Division II (0-2 in D-III) and have won three state titles, with the last coming in 2001 (a 71-56 win over Lamoille). VUHS lost to MSJ in last year's state title game, 71-56. This is the Commodores' eighth Final Four in 13 years.

Vergennes is averaging 67.0 points scored and 44.8 points allowed this season with a season high of 87 points scored (against U-32) and a low of 47 in its quarterfinal win over Fair Haven. The Commodores have allowed as many as 64 points and as few as 29. They have played just six games in which they have won by less than 10 points and their closest margin of victory was six in their season-opener against CVU.

U-32 is 50-34 all-time in the playoffs, all in Division II. The Raiders are 9-8 in the semifinals and have won four titles, the last of which came in 2010 (a 52-43 win over MVU). This is U-32's seventh Final Four in 12 years.

U-32 is averaging 59.5 points per game and allowing 52.6. They have scored a high of 75 and a low of 42 and have allowed a high of 87 and a low of 35. The Raiders were 2-5 to start the season and are 14-1 since. They have played nine games decided by 10 or fewer points and are 7-2 in such games, including seven straight wins in that circumstance.