The Thetford Academy varsity basketball team will play a home conference game against Montpelier on Friday, January 31, at 7 PM.

Here’s what you need to know:

What: Vermont High School Basketball
Who: Montpelier vs Thetford Academy
When: Friday, January 31, 2025
Time: 7:00. p.m. ET
Live stream: Watch here

Game Preview: Montpelier vs Thetford Academy

As the 2024-2025 Vermont high school basketball season progresses, Montpelier and Thetford Academy are emerging as two of the top teams in the state. Both squads have been dominant in their respective divisions, with impressive win-loss records and high-scoring averages that showcase their prowess on the court. Let’s take a closer look at these two powerhouse teams, their individual performances, and the exciting matchups that have made their seasons noteworthy.

Montpelier: A Force to Be Reckoned With

Montpelier’s basketball team has been nearly flawless this season, boasting an 11-1 record, with a perfect 7-0 in the district. Their success has come not just from dominant performances at home (5-0) but also from their ability to win on the road (6-1). This team’s offensive firepower has been a key to their success, averaging an impressive 77.2 points per game. Their defense has also held strong, allowing only 651 points across 12 games (an average of 54.4 points per game).

Key players like Carter Bruzzese have been integral to their success. Bruzzese leads the team in points (15.3 PPG), assists (5.9 APG), and steals (2.6 SPG), solidifying his role as one of the state’s top players. Atif Milak has also made a significant impact, averaging 10.5 rebounds per game, further contributing to Montpelier’s success.

Thetford Academy: Consistency and Control

Thetford Academy has not been far behind, posting an impressive 10-1 record, with a 6-1 record in district play. They have been equally successful at home (5-1) and on the road (5-0), showing a consistent ability to compete at a high level. While their scoring average sits at 57.3 points per game, their defense has been solid, allowing just 494 points so far this season, which translates to only 44.9 points per game.

Although Thetford Academy’s offense may not be as high-scoring as Montpelier’s, their team-oriented play has kept them competitive in each matchup. Thetford’s offense is balanced, with different players stepping up at various points in the game. For instance, in the win against Spaulding, they displayed their offensive depth with strong contributions from their players, while also limiting their opponent’s scoring opportunities.

Team Stat Comparison

• Montpelier:
  • Points Per Game: 75.8
  • Rebounds Per Game: 33.8
  • Assists Per Game: 19.7
  • Steals Per Game: 9.3
  • Blocks Per Game: 1.5
• Thetford Academy:
  • Points Per Game: 57.3
  • Rebounds Per Game: 33.8
  • Assists Per Game: 12.8
  • Steals Per Game: 7.2
  • Blocks Per Game: 2.1

Despite Montpelier’s higher offensive output, Thetford’s defense has allowed them to stay competitive in each contest, especially against common opponents, where they have only dropped one game out of seven matchups, while Montpelier remains perfect at 9-0 against shared competition.

Head-to-Head and Common Opponents

Montpelier and Thetford Academy will look to continue their respective winning ways when they face off against each other and their common opponents. Both teams have had success against a variety of opponents, with Montpelier taking victories over teams like Lamoille, Harwood, and U-32, while Thetford Academy has similarly triumphed over Harwood and Spaulding, among others.

What stands out is the dominance both teams have shown against common opponents. Montpelier holds a perfect 9-0 record against shared teams, while Thetford Academy is 6-1. This indicates that when they square off against each other, it will likely be a battle of similar strengths.

Their next matchups against shared opponents like Lake Region, Randolph, and Peoples Academy will also help gauge how these teams stack up as the season progresses. The head-to-head battle between Montpelier and Thetford Academy will certainly be one of the most anticipated games of the year, and both teams will look to prove who is the true king of Vermont high school basketball.

The Road Ahead

As the season enters its second half, both teams are gearing up for what could be a thrilling conclusion to the regular season. Montpelier and Thetford Academy have established themselves as two of the top teams in Vermont, and both will be vying for a strong position in the playoffs. With Montpelier’s high-scoring offense and Thetford Academy’s tenacious defense, it is clear that the rivalry between these two teams will only continue to heat up as they approach the postseason.

Both teams will also look to continue dominating against their respective league opponents, with Montpelier aiming to extend its perfect district record and Thetford Academy hoping to rebound from a recent loss in district play. The teams will be looking to solidify their spots in the playoffs, where they will no doubt face tough competition.

As fans of Vermont high school basketball watch these two teams closely, one thing is for sure: Montpelier and Thetford Academy are among the best teams in the state, and their next encounters will undoubtedly be thrilling. Keep an eye on these rising teams as the season heats up!