As the 2024-2025 Vermont high school basketball season progresses, both Sharon Academy and Rivendell Academy have faced challenging starts to their respective campaigns. With early records showing little success, both teams are looking to turn things around in the coming weeks.

Sharon Academy: Searching for First Win

Sharon Academy, with a 0-2 overall record, has had a tough time getting on the scoreboard. In their two losses, the team has struggled defensively, allowing an average of 58.5 points per game. Their scoring has also been modest, averaging just 32.5 points per game. Their recent 77-29 defeat to Blue Mountain on December 13th was a difficult one to swallow, and the team will need to improve in both defense and offense to get back on track.

Sharon Academy’s schedule doesn’t get much easier, with games against Grace Christian on December 23rd and White River Valley and Oxbow in January. As the team continues to work on their gameplay and team dynamics, the hope is that they can pick up their first win in the near future. However, with a win percentage of .000 and a district record of .000, Sharon Academy has a lot of work ahead of them.

Rivendell Academy: A Struggle in League Play

Rivendell Academy’s 0-4 start to the season is even more pronounced, with all four of their losses coming in league play. Averaging 34.8 points per game, Rivendell has faced similar struggles, particularly on the defensive end. Their most recent defeat, a 64-38 loss to Blue Mountain on December 16th, highlighted ongoing issues with team cohesion and execution under pressure.

Despite the challenges, Rivendell will look to regroup in the coming weeks. The team will face Grace Christian and White River Valley in January, with their next opportunity to break into the win column coming against White River Valley on January 25th. Currently holding a league win percentage of .000, Rivendell will need to focus on improving both offense and defense if they are to have a successful second half of the season.

Common Opponents: A Shared Struggle

Both Sharon Academy and Rivendell Academy have faced common opponents, and unfortunately, both teams have come up short in these matchups. Sharon Academy lost 77-29 to Blue Mountain, and Rivendell Academy also fell to Blue Mountain 64-38. With both teams losing to common opponents by wide margins, it’s clear that these early struggles are not isolated to one team but reflect challenges faced across the board.

Both schools will meet common opponents again throughout the season, including Grace Christian, White River Valley, and Windsor. How they perform in these upcoming games may set the tone for the rest of the season.

Outlook for the Season

Both Sharon Academy and Rivendell Academy have room for improvement. With more games ahead, these teams will need to adjust their strategies and improve their execution. While both teams have endured a tough start, the season is far from over, and with a few adjustments, they could still turn things around.

Sharon Academy’s next steps will be to find consistency in their offense and solidify their defense, while Rivendell Academy must look to bounce back from their early losses, focusing on improving their game against league rivals. Both teams remain in the early stages of what is shaping up to be a challenging season in Vermont high school basketball.