It's been nearly a century since Hartford claimed a Vermont boys basketball high school championship.
Hartford captured the 1929 Division 1 championship, beating Springfield in a 32-31 thriller.
This year’s team is determined to snap that 97-year drought. They have a team that has the potential to make it happen. They are a perfect 13-0.
Hartford holds strong in the New England Basketball Journal Vermont boys basketball rankings. Let's meet the top 10.
1. Hartford (13-0)
Previous rank: 3
Next game: vs. Brattleboro, 2/2 at 7 p.m.
Hartford has continued to establish itself as the team to beat in Division 2 as it tries to snap that near-century drought of championship success. Hartford has won three games since the last rankings, and the clear most impressive one was its 10-point victory against fellow elite Rutland on Thursday. Rutland has owned the Southern Vermont League A Division for a long time, and Hartford is hoping to crash that party this year.
2. Rice (10-2)
Previous rank: 2
Next game: vs. Colchester, 2/3 at 7 p.m.
Rice picked up a massive statement win since the last rankings, beating its biggest rival Burlington to give the Seahorses their first loss against a Division 1 opponent. Pascal Munezero, who transferred from state champion Burlington, played a big factor in the Green Knights beating his old team, as did big man Landon Merchant, who had a double-double. Rice did suffer two losses since the last rankings, but they came by a combined six points.
3. Burlington (8-3)
Previous rank: 1
Next game: vs. South Burlington, 2/3 at 7:30 p.m.
Burlington suffered its first loss against a Vermont opponent, falling to Rice. They also lost twice at the Hoop Hall Invitational this month. The Seahorses had a nice bounce back from the Rice loss by gutting out a five-point win against CVU on Friday. The Metro Division is a gauntlet and that continues for Burlington on Tuesday, playing another elite team, South Burlington.
4. Rutland (8-3)
Previous rank: 6
Next game: vs. Mount Anthony, 2/2 at 6:30 p.m.
Rutland had its five-game winning streak end with the loss to Hartford, but there were still some positives, most notably the team’s defense, which Rutland coach Mike Wood lauded after the game, The 50 points Rutland held Hartford to was the fewest the Hurricanes had scored this season. Rutland has a busy three-game week ahead. The middle game of that stretch, hosting rival Burr and Burton, should be intriguing.
5. CVU (9-4)
Previous rank: 4
Next game: at Mount Mansfield, 2/3 at 7 p.m.
There have been some ups and downs since the last rankings, but the biggest had to be CVU’s 56-55 triumph over Rice. The Green Knights had the lead with less than two minutes to play, but the Redhawks came up with big plays down the stretch to pull out the win. Burlington snapped CVU’s two-game win streak on Friday. The Redhawks should be favored to get back on the winning track on Tuesday against Mount Mansfield, but the Cougars have taken some elites to the limit this year, so nothing is guaranteed.
6. Burr and Burton Academy (8-4)
Previous rank: 8
Next game: at Rutland, 2/4 at 6:30 p.m.
Burr and Burton Academy picked up a massive win on Saturday against South Burlington, but what really catches your eye is how emphatic it was. They beat the Wolves by 23 points. If you add that win to their earlier victory against CVU, it is clear that the Bulldogs belong in the conversation among the state’s best in a Division 1 landscape that looks wide open.
7. South Burlington (8-4)
Previous rank: 5
Next game: at Burlington, 2/3 at 7:30 p.m.
South Burlington suffered its first loss in regulation since the last rankings, falling to Rutland fairly convincingly, but the Wolves have responded well after that loss. Their next time out they earned what is surely their marquee win of the season, knocking off Rice 75-70. A blowout loss to BBA was a setback, but this team has as good a chance as any to get to Patrick Gymnasium.
8. BFA-St. Albans (9-4)
Previous rank: 7
Next game: vs. St. Johnsbury, 2/3 at 7:30 p.m.
BFA-St. Albans’ seven-point win against CVU on Jan. 20 has to be the Bobwhites’ best win of the season. It was a balanced scoring effort that led BFA to that victory against one of its fellow Metro elites. Since that win, the Bobwhites have dropped two of three games. The more recent loss came on Friday against Essex, losing by four points. Essex doesn’t have a great record, but has played some top teams tough, so it was a nice breakthrough for them. St. Johnsbury is up next. Then Rice and Burlington loom, so they’ll need their best.
9. Lamoille (11-1)
Previous rank: 10
Next game: at Hazen, 2/3 at 7 p.m.
Lamoille continues to roll, having won nine straight games. Saturday, the Lancers earned some valuable index points, which is how playoff seeding is decided, by beating a Division 1 North Country squad. That gave Lamoille a sweep of the Falcons. The coming schedule has its tests, most notably Hazen and Montpelier in the next week and a half, but the Lancers should feel confident with how well they are playing.
10. Fair Haven (10-3)
Previous rank: NR
Next game: vs. White River Valley, 2/2 at 7 p.m.
Fair Haven breaks into the top 10 this week coming off arguably its best showing of the season, blasting Division 1 Mount Anthony by 45 points. The Slaters' depth shined through with different guys taking the baton at different points in the game. Fair Haven has been a constant Barre Auditorium threat in the past, but it has missed out on that goal the last two years. So this year’s group surely wants to get over that hump. Huge tests loom late in the regular season, but Fair Haven should be favored the next five times it takes the court.
