RUHS Boys Miss
Semi-Finals by One Basket
By David Cooch

The Randolph boys’ basketball squad hit their peak at the right time, and came roaring into the playoffs. Ending the season with a 6-14 record, the team earned a 13^th seed, and traveled to fourth seeded U-32 on Wednesday. Randolph fans came out in numbers to support the team, and they did not disappoint.

From the tip-off, Randolph shot the ball extremely well, and only committed nine turnovers. In the first quarter U-32, who were without starting guard Tucker LaClair, were able to trade baskets with Randolph, keeping the score even.

After two three-pointers from David Cooch and a lay-in from Jon White, the score was knotted at 12 apiece. Dylan Smith, however, hit from long range and White added two of his own off a fast break to bring Randolph up 17-12 at the end of the first, a lead that they wouldn’t relinquish until the final minute of the game.

U-32 came out strong defensively in the second, holding Randolph scoreless for nearly four minutes, and tied the score at 17 apiece. Randolph picked up their offense and closed out the second quarter with 12 additional points, 11 coming from Thomas Jacobs and White. The score at half had Randolph ahead 29-28.

Randolph nearly put U-32 away in the first minutes of the third, a quick bucket by Jacobs followed by a three-pointer from White put the Ghosts ahead 34-28. A Josh Ferris shot from downtown, in response to a U-32 basket, put Randolph ahead 39-30.

Foul trouble caused problems for Randolph, who were forced to sit Jason Hicks, Smith and Cooch for most of the third. Randolph closed the quarter outscoring the Raiders 17-15.

The final eight minutes saw an action packed, edge of your seat closure to a great came. Jacobs came up big in the fourth for Randolph, putting in 10 of their 14 points. The baskets came for both sides, and the upset-minded Ghosts continued to maintain their lead.

At the one minute mark, U-32 tied the game with a shot from the charity stripe. On the next possession Jacobs picked up a pass from Smith, and put it in for the basket, while drawing a foul. After sinking the free throw, Randolph fouled U-32 with 21 seconds remaining. U-32 missed both shots, and a free throw from Cooch brought the lead up to four points. U-32 came right back with a three pointer to bring it within one.

White hit a free throw, and U-32 brought it down for their final possession. The ball was driven in to the basket, and a runner in the lane bricked. U-32 picked up the offensive board and the turnaround jumper from close range, hit the backboard, the front of the rim, and then bounced away harmlessly as the buzzer went off.

The Ghosts celebrated their 60-58 upset, the only upset in the first round of playoff action in Division II. Jacobs led all scorers with 23, and White added 19.

Quarterfinal at O.V.

Randolph faced the fifth-seeded Otter Valley on Friday away with high hopes of reaching the semi-finals at the Barre Auditorium. Thoughts of their first victory were immediately replaced by the new game as Randolph galloped out to a 7-2 lead. Otter Valley came right back with a trey and a jumper of their own.

The teams traded baskets all through the contest, and the lead was never greater than five for either side from then on. The quarter ended all tied up at 13, with Jacobs and White combining for all of Randolph’s offense.

Randolph could only score eight points in the second quarter, but held Otter Valley to nine. At the intermission Otter Valley had a one-point lead, 22-21, and were in a battle with the upset-minded Ghosts.

The second half saw both teams settling into a half-court man-to-man defense. The Ghosts closed the one-point difference and tied the game at 24 after a Smith basket and foul shot by Jacobs. The Ghosts had an answer to every Otter Valley basket, with White scoring six consecutive points for Randolph.

As the quarter drew to a close, the score was tied at 30 and Randolph’s offense started to stagnate. Hicks took his man baseline and went in for the hoop and the harm, giving Randolph a 32-30 lead going into the final quarter.

Baskets were hard to come by for both teams in the fourth, and once again Jacobs had a big quarter for Randolph. As the home team tried to pull ahead, there was Jacobs in the low post for Randolph. After a put-back by Jacobs tied the match at 38, Randolph conceded a one-and-one basket. The ensuing foul shot was made and Randolph was down by three with 41 seconds to go. Off the inbound pass, Jacobs found White steaking down the court. White put the lay up in to bring Randolph within one. The Ghosts called a timeout and set up the full court man press with 13 seconds remaining. Randolph immediately fouled and took Otter Valley to the free throw line for a one and one. The first shot missed, and Randolph grabbed the board, Jacobs took off up the court, and took a jumper from the short corner. The shot missed and Cooch grabbed the rebound. The put-back rested on the rim, but came out. Cooch got the rebound gain for one more chance, but was pulled down, blocked, and despite contact, the refs called the game. Otter Valley took the match with a 41-40 score.

White scored 19 for Randolph, while Jacobs added 13.

In a game that had 11 ties and 16 lead changes, the Randolph boys gave it their all and nearly made it to the Barre Aud. The team is grateful to their fans for the support, and thanks seniors Josh Ferris, David Cooch and Thomas Jacobs for the season.

"I couldn’t be prouder of the boys," said RUHS Coach Bruce Viens. "They gave it all they had, and they really came together at the end of the season."