As the 2024-2025 Vermont high school basketball season heats up, two teams have begun to emerge as key contenders: Greenfield and Brattleboro. While each team has had a mixed start, their performances are shaping up to be noteworthy as the season progresses.

Greenfield: A Perfect Start

Greenfield’s basketball team has kicked off their season with an impressive record of 1-0, including a perfect 1-0 in league play. Despite only one game on their schedule so far, the team has shown promise, particularly with a narrow victory that saw them edge out their opponents with a 66-63 win. The Greenfield squad’s ability to perform well both at home and away will be crucial as the season unfolds.

• Offensive Strength: Greenfield’s scoring has been impressive, averaging 66 points per game. This high-scoring performance places them as one of the top teams in Vermont early on, though it remains to be seen if they can maintain this pace.
• Key Players: Leading the charge for Greenfield is Oscar Korson, with an average of 11.5 points per game. Hudson Smith has been a strong presence on the boards, averaging 6.8 rebounds per game, while John Satterfield leads in assists (3.0) and steals (1.3).
• Defensive Stability: On defense, Owen Dascomb has shown his shot-blocking ability, averaging 2 blocks per game, which is a significant asset for the Greenfield defense.

Brattleboro: A Mixed Start

Brattleboro, with a 2-2 overall record, has had a more balanced beginning to their season. They’ve been able to perform well on the road, with a 2-1 away record, but they will need to improve their home performances, as they are currently 0-1 at home.

• Offensive Trends: The Brattleboro team averages 48.3 points per game, which is lower than Greenfield’s scoring average. Their scoring has been fairly consistent across the quarters, though they haven’t been able to put together a complete game yet.
• Key Players: On the offensive side, Brattleboro’s leading scorer has been Ben Weston with 5.2 points per game. On the boards, Matt Larkin has been solid with 2.8 rebounds per game, and Will Carmichael has been the team’s main playmaker, averaging 1.1 assists per game. Despite their scoring struggles, Brattleboro’s defense has been strong, with their steals per game (7.3) ranking as one of the team’s bright spots.

Comparing the Teams: A Statistical Breakdown

When comparing the two teams, Greenfield edges out Brattleboro in several categories. Greenfield boasts a stronger scoring offense, but Brattleboro holds the advantage in rebounds, averaging 37.3 per game. Greenfield has also shown superior playmaking ability with a higher average of assists (12.8 per game) compared to Brattleboro’s 7.3.

On the defensive side, both teams have been formidable, though Greenfield’s shot-blocking ability (3.8 blocks per game) has been an additional asset. Brattleboro, however, has been active in creating turnovers, as shown by their higher steals per game.

Looking Ahead: Playoff Picture and Team Prospects

Both teams are on track to be competitive throughout the rest of the season. Greenfield’s solid start, combined with their higher scoring ability, suggests that they may remain near the top of the league standings. Brattleboro, though inconsistent so far, has the potential to improve as their players gain more experience and continue to mesh on both ends of the floor.

For both teams, their head-to-head matchups and games against common opponents will be crucial in determining their playoff positioning. Greenfield’s win percentage stands strong at 1.000, while Brattleboro will be aiming to build on their experience and close the gap in their upcoming games.

As the season progresses, keep an eye on these two teams—Greenfield’s high-powered offense and Brattleboro’s balanced play could make for an exciting race to the playoffs.