When you’re a program so steeped in winning like the Burlington boys basketball team, a near decade drought without winning a Division 1 state championship is a long time.
The Seahorses got that monkey off their back last season, capturing their first state championship since 2016 and the 22nd title in program history.
It came a year after Burlington was inches away from ending that drought, falling to rival Rice by three points in the 2024 final.
Now, the target is on the Seahorses' back. The rest of Division 1 want exactly what they have. Let’s take an early look at how teams may stack up across the state with some preseason power rankings.
1. Burlington
Last season: 22-1, won Div. 1 state championship
Coach: BJ Robertson
The Seahorses are the defending Division 1 champions and return plenty of talent to keep them near the top of the pecking order once again. Byron Robertson Jr. and Sawyer Judkins are one of the best guard duos in the state, a good place to start for a contending team.
2. Rice
Last season: 17-6, Div. 1 runner-up
Coach: Paul Pecor
The Green Knights graduated a really talented guard trio of Owen Eaton, Evan Eaton and Dallas St. Peter, but they always seem to restock and down years are very rare. The transfer of Pascal Munezero from Burlington to Rice will be a big help in keeping them elite.
3. Rutland
Last season: 14-8, advanced to Div. 1 quarterfinals
Coach: Mike Wood
RHS missed out on a trip to Patrick Gymnasium last year, which is always the goal for a team like them that is strong year in and year out. There is plenty of talent returning this year, most notably point guard Cellan Wood and big man Cooper Sparks. Wing player Ethan Whalen has one of the sweetest strokes from long range.
4. South Burlington
Last season: 15-7, advanced to Div. 1 semifinals
Coach: Solomon Bayer-Pacht
The Wolves ended Rutland’s season in the Division 1 quarterfinals last year, getting to Patrick for the first time since 2021. They look well-stocked to contend once again this year led by big man Oliver Avdibegovic and guard Paul Comba. The Metro Division is always a gauntlet, but SB has the horses to be among the top teams.
5. St. Johnsbury
Last season: 16-6, advanced to Div. 1 semifinals
Coach: Patrick Rainville
Graduating the Gatorade Player of the Year is never easy to overcome, which the Hilltoppers did with Rex Hauser moving on, but they always seem to be in contention and have guys step into important roles every year. Guard Michael Rodriguez Guerrero is a good place to start and others could step up around him.
6. Hartford
Last season: 19-4, advanced to Div. 2 semifinals
Coach: Mike Gaudette
The Hurricanes have been making history over the last few seasons. Two seasons ago was their first state finals appearance in 91 years and last year they were back at the Barre Auditorium again. They look like one of the early favorites in Division 2 as they return essentially their entire core from a squad that was already one of the best in the state last season.
7. Montpelier
Last season: 23-1, won Div. 2 state championship
Coach: Nick Foster
The senior class from last year’s Montpelier team will be remembered for a long time as they were a crucial part in four of the five straight Division 2 state championships that the Solons have won. It’s a new group set to carry that flag this year, but don’t underestimate the winning culture that has been built in the state’s capital.
8. Harwood Union
Last season: 20-4, Div. 2 runner-up
Coach: Jay Bellows
The Highlanders ended Hartford’s title hopes in the state semifinals before falling in the championship game to rival Montpelier. They look well-stocked to remain a contender this year, with a great core coming back led by do-it-all forward Steele Nelson. Harwood has had a lot of success in its other sports but is looking for its first boys hoops title since 1988.
9. Fair Haven
Last season: 16-6, advanced to Div. 2 quarterfinals
Coach: Ryan Lawrence
The Slaters put Barre on the back of their warmups every year and are trying to end a two-year drought of not getting to the venerable building on the hill. Fair Haven is contending with the graduation loss of 1,000-point scorer Phil Bean but has the talent to remain in the upper echelon of Division 2 with the likes of point guard Sam Kyhill and wing Andrew Barker, among others.
10. Otter Valley
Last season: 18-5, advanced to Div. 2 semifinals
Coach: Michael Stark
The Otters have made two straight trips to the Barre Auditorium for the Division 2 semifinals and got the monkey off their back of recent struggles against rival Fair Haven by beating them in an instant classic quarterfinal game last year. OV graduated a handful of key pieces from that team but still has senior guards Connor Denis and Brody Lathrop who are capable of leading the squad.
