CLOSING OUT THE WIN … Devin Dempsey handles the ball for Hilltop with Jarron Dohner providing the defense in the waning moments of a 43-34 Hilltop win. (PHOTO BY RICH HARDING / THE VILLAGE REPORTER)
By: Nate Calvin
THE VILLAGE REPORTER
sports@thevillagereporter.com
MONTPELIER (December 1, 2023) – Opening game jitters were obvious early on as both teams struggled at times to put the ball in the basket.
Hilltop’s shooting found its mark in the second half as they were 8/16 (50%) from the floor in the half to pullout a 43-34 road win to start the season.
A back and forth first quarter saw Hilltop take a 9-8 lead on a bucket by Raace Haynes followed by a three-point play by Anthony Eckenrode off a steal to extend the lead as Hilltop led 12-10 after one quarter.
It was a 5-0 run by the Cadets to start the second with Devin Dempsey hitting a triple from the top of the key after a couple offensive rebounds to make it 17-10 Hilltop.
Grant Girrell, who carried the Locos scoring in the first half, ended the spurt with two of his 13 first half points to make it 17-12.
Eckenrode answered back for Hilltop with a three ball from left wing to push the lead to 20-12 but Girrell’s three-point play for Montpelier trimmed the Hilltop lead to 20-15 at halftime.
The teams exchanged three pointers to start the third quarter and the Cadet lead eventually grew to 29-21 after a steal and layup by Haynes and a bucket inside from Brian Guillen.
Hilltop would lead by double digits for the first time in the game on a three-point play by Brock Kesler to make it 32-22 and they took a 33-24 lead to the final stanza.
Montpelier hit the offensive boards in the fourth but were unable to get the shots to fall as a triple by Eckenrode and a Kesler breakaway layup increased the Cadet advantage to 39-26.
A couple free throws from Hayden Sharps and a field goal by James Camper kept Montpelier within striking distance but Haynes added another breakaway layup for Hilltop to end the Locos threat.
In the fourth quarter, Montpelier (0-1) grabbed nine offensive rebounds as they put up 21 shots in the quarter compared to only six for Hilltop, but Montpelier only connected on three of those shots.
Kesler led a balanced scoresheet for Hilltop (1-0) with 11, Eckenrode had 10 while Haynes and Dempsey had nine points each.
Girrell finished the night with a game-high 19 points for Montpelier.
HILLTOP (43) – Haynes 9; Kesler 11; Dempsey 9; Eckenrode 10; Guillen 4; Totals: 12-4-7 – 43
MONTPELIER (34) – Sommer 0; Sharps 4; Camper 2; Girrell 19; Martin 0; Brink 4; Smeltzer 5; Dohner 0; Totals: 9-3-7 – 34
HILLTOP 12 8 13 10 – 43
MONTPELIER 10 5 9 10 – 34
JUNIOR VARSITY: Montpelier, 42-23
GAME STATISTICS
HILLTOP: FG – 16/40 (40%); FT – 7/15 (46%); Rebounds – 25 (6 offensive); Turnovers – 18; MONTPELIER: FG – 12/52 (23%); FT – 7/18 (38%); Rebounds – 36 (18 offensive); Turnovers – 17
