Winning multiple state championships in a row is never an easy task. One class graduates and leaves holes that need to be filled, so it’s a new group that often has to take the baton and run with it.
Fair Haven and West Rutland were the Vermont girls basketball teams that found a way to repeat last year and in the Golden Horde’s case, it was their fourth straight Division 4 state title. They both contend with graduation losses to some of the pieces from those championship runs, so it will be interesting to see if they can maintain their elite status going into the upcoming season.
The target is on their backs, along with defending Div. 1 champion Burlington and Div. 3 champion Windsor. Everyone wants what those four squads have.
Let’s take an early look at some of the best teams in state going into what should be another interesting winter on the hardwood.
1. Mount Mansfield
Division 1
Last season: 18-4
Head coach: Mark Pfaff
The Cougars got back to Patrick Gymnasium for the first time in three years last season, falling to eventual champion Burlington, and looks well-stocked for another run. Aly Dorman and Maysa Long make up one of the best guard-post combos in the state, so Mount Mansfield has a great chance to build off an 18-win campaign.
2. St. Johnsbury
Division 1
Last season: 21-2
Head coach: Jade Huntington
Losing the trio of Cassidy Kittredge, Adrianna Hever and Kyra Nelson isn’t easy, but the Hilltoppers have plenty of talent still in the cupboard. Anna Ebert has the potential to be one of the best players in the state with her talent inside the paint, and there is talent around her.
3. Champlain Valley Union
Division 1
Last season: 14-8
Head coach: Dom Bryant
The Redhawks are always in the state title hunt. They’ve won 10 state championships and had won two in a row before bowing out to St. Johnsbury in the semifinals last year. This team always seems to reload. Zoey McNabb is one of the best guards in the state and that’s a great place to start.
4. Burlington
Division 1
Last season: 19-4
Head coach: Beverlis Robertson
The Seahorses captured their first state championship in 49 years last winter, a huge breakthrough for a team that had been building to that point for the last handful of years. The graduations of Bree McDonald and Nylah Mitchell have left a hole, but a winning culture is in place for a team that knows how to go on a deep run.
5. Essex
Division 1
Last season: 12-10
Head coach: Beverlis Robertson
The Hornets were the No. 5 seed in the Div. 1 playoffs last year, but fell to perennial power CVU in the quarterfinals. Junior forward Colleen Sonnick is one of the better players in the state and she is very talented in the paint, as is senior Emma Hodgson. That could be a scary duo to deal with.
6. Rutland
Division 1
Last season: 13-9
Head coach: Jake Eaton
Rutland has been the top dog in the Southern Vermont League A Division for years and is super competitive at the state level, too, with a schedule often filled with Metro Division opponents in their non-league games. Under new coach Jake Eaton, they should be great once again this year, led by junior guard Brinley Gandin and a very balanced supporting cast around her.
7. North Country
Division 1
Last season: 21-2
Head coach: Sarah Roy
The Falcons have been the top seed in the Division 2 tournament the last three years, winning one title in that stretch. They have a new challenge this year, moving up to Division 1, and will be doing so without former Gatorade Player of the Year Sabine Brueck after she graduated. North Country's team was a young one last season and it still had all the success it did, so with another year of experience under their belt, they could contend again.
8. Lamoille
Division 2
Last season: 19-4
Head coach: Greg Davis Jr.
The Lancers have knocked on the door of the Division 2 state championship game for two years in a row, but haven’t gotten in. They’re hoping this could be their year to get back to that stage for the first time since 2011. The duo of Alana Crittenden and Alyssa Small is a good place to start for a Lamoille team that should have some high expectations.
9. Brattleboro
Division 1
Last season: 12-10
Head coach: Sarah Landers
The Bears were above .500 for the second straight season last year and picked up their first playoff win since 2019. They have a good core coming back and that is led by guard Reese Croutworst, who has been a standout for Brattleboro since her freshman season.
10. Fair Haven
Division 2
Last season: 20-4
Head coach: Greg Davis Jr.
The graduations of Kate Hadwen, Izzy Cole and Maddy Perry, along with Elizabeth Love (who was hurt last year but a big part of their 2024 title) are big ones to overcome, but you can never count out a Kyle Wilson-led team. Senior post player Tori Kelly really broke out last year and could be in for a huge season, while junior guard Audrey Perry could step into a much larger role as well after shining in a complementary role last year.
