College of St. Joseph

“There’s no quit in them,” College of St. Joseph coach Phil Bartlett said. And that was an understatement. The Saints only dressed seven players, having lost some to ineligibility and standout Tyler Herrington to open-heart surgery. Herrington was at the game on the bench in street clothes.

“After what happened to Tyler and some of the other players, the guys got together and said that we can just play halfway or just go all out,” Bartlett said. It was crystal clear on this night which path they chose.

Castleton coach Paul Culpo was impressed with CSJ’s “Iron Seven.” “I told our players that it’s not the quantity, it’s the quality, and they have some talented players,” he said. Madison made a steal under the hoop and put it through to slice CSC’s lead to 64-62. It was his second straight basket. Then, a third came from 3-point land to cut the lead to 66-65. The sophomore was in the middle of everything when things got close. Hughes nailed some big free throws late. He made two with 19 seconds left to cushion the lead to 74-69 and then hit a big one with six seconds remaining to make it a two-possession game, 75-71. Childs canned a 3-pointer at the end to account for the final score.

The Fighting Saints fall to 4-8, but have yet to play a game in their Sunrise Conference. They sent a message in this one: They could be a very tough out for any Sunrise opponent.

In the women’s game it was Castleton 74, CSJ 32 with Castleton building their lead to 47-11 by halftime as College of St. Joseph was no match with only five players. Spartans coach Tim Barrett played 11 players and nine of them scored. Twin Valley graduate Tarryn Bolognani led them with 16 points. Joining her in double figures were Rutland’s Megan Johnson and Burlington’s Christine Jaques with 12 each. West Rutland’s Kristie Dunchus, Middlebury’s Katie Hoxie and Twinfield’s Vanessa Powers added eight points each and Dunchus pulled down six rebounds.

Rutland’s Brittney Garrow led the 0-7 Fighting Saints with 12 points and seven rebounds. Robin Labrie followed with eight points and Poultney’s Racheal Paquette added seven points.

Tom Haley – Rutland Herald