BARRE- On Sunday the #4 Blue Mountain Bucks earned the Division 4 state title over the #3 White River Valley Wildcats 26-25.  The low-scoring affair was the result of some exceptional defense from the Bucks and a sub-par performance from the free-throw line.  The real story unfolded in the last 30 seconds of the game, culminating with a game-winning 3-point buzzer-beater from Blue Mountain senior Jacob Dube.

In the first quarter, the Wildcats, led by Weston Trombly’s three buckets, came out with a 9-6 lead. In the second frame, the Bucks outscored White River 8-5 to knot the score at 14 apiece. Coming out of halftime, both teams’ offenses went stone cold. This was partially due to great defense, partially due to White River turnovers, and partially just plain unlucky bounces at the Barre Aud.  White River would score only two buckets from the floor in the third frame and the Bucks would manage only two successful free throws.

In the last quarter, it remained a close game with both teams staying within striking distance of each other. The game exploded in the last 30 seconds with John Dennis showing why he is a leader for the Bucks, hitting a long three to tie the game at 23 apiece. White River came down the floor and found Braydon Russ on a beautiful back door cut, putting the Wildcats up 25-23. With the clock under 10 seconds, the Bucks’ Evan Dennis brought the ball up and dished to John Dennis.  John Dennis had been hailed as the hero of the semifinal game as he took over that game in the fourth quarter to defeat the #1 seed Rivendell Raptors.  In the season’s final game, J. Dennis found himself closely guarded with just a few ticks left on the clock.  With a pass to Jacob Dube, it was time for someone new to play the role of hero for the Bucks.  Dube took one dribble and with time winding down, he nailed the game-winning 3-ball from well behind the arc.  Dube explained, “When it left my hand, it felt good, but when it bounced on the rim I wasn’t sure.” John Dennis offered a similar reaction, “In the moment of both shots, complete nerves and a little bit of ‘please go in.’ It’s a great feeling knowing that the shots did fall and that overall the expressed confidence our team showed in one another paid off.  Extremely proud of all the guys and the hard work and dedication it took to achieve one of our childhood dreams.”  The Bucks finish their season with a record of 20-4.  More importantly, they finish as champions.
Blue Mountain 6-14-16-26

T. Winchester 1 (1) 0-2 5,  K. Blood 0 (0) 3-4 3,  E. Dennis 2 (0) 3-8 7, J. Dennis 1 (1) 1-3 6, R. Fennimore 0 (0) 2-6 2 J. Dube 0 (1) 0-0 3

White River Valley 9-14-18-25

A. Tracy 0 (0) 2-4 2,  D. Craven 0 (2) 3-5 9, B. Russ 3 (0) 0-0 6,  W. Trombly 4 (0) 0-0 8

Gallery • 8 Photos