Barre or Burlington?

It's a good question. Where are die hard hoop fans going to head tonight? Barre or Burlington? Patrick or the Aud? Its really to bad the VPA couldnt schedule the DI semi-finals on Tuesday evening, what is historically the only evening that games are not played at the Aud. I fully understand the D1 Hockey finals were being played last night at the "GUT" but really? Hockey and Hoop fans are two different animals. Whether it had anything to do with UVM, and the staff there I tend to doubt, but I guess its a possibility.
Back to the question, its a tough one. Most average high school fans would head to Patrick, to watch the D1 games. I have no argument against this. There is going to be some serious talent in Catamount Country tonight. Rutland's eye popping PG Troy Davine can be one of the most exciting players to watch in the state. Davine, teamed up with undoubtly the best Big in VT Alex Snyder, the Red Raiders are a great team to watch, and have been my pick to take home the D1 crown since day one back in November. Honestly I dont think the night cap between Rutland and MMU is going to be much of a matchup, but 6'7" center Eric Suder can bang with Snyder, and if guards Ethan Brown, and Tom Lacy can get hot, the Cougars could hang around for a while...(but just a while).
Game 1 tonight should be a great one with Rice and Mt. Anthony. Rice is coming off an emotional win over Spaulding in the quarter finals, and have in my opinion the most athletic team in Vermont. 6'4" soph. Marcus Willingham is an absolute freak, pair him up with a back court of BHS transfer Austin Robinson, and PG Casey Tipson, Rice is as tough as they come.  Big man Tim Rensch has also been playing better as this season has gone on. The Green Knights will certainly need strong play from Rensch if they want to compete with MAU.  The Patriots 6'8" Clayton Palmer is a load inside. A big physical body that can move, and face up in the post makes it difficult for anyone in Vermont to defend.  A matchup with him and Snyder in the Finals would be a good one. Palmer is backed by sharp shooter Hunter Stratton, and high flying soph. Aary Bibbens. This should come down to the wire, but I like Rice in a close one 65-63.
After reading that, how can you NOT want to go to Patrick tonight? What in Barre can compete with these guys? Well how about 2 of the best players in Central Vermont? U32's Ryan Shea, and Twinfields 6'6" Chad Copeland will both be in the Granite City tonight, in what should be two great games in D2 & D4.
The 2 vs. 3 matchup of U32 and Fair Haven should be interesting. Defending D2 Champs U32 has brouhgt back almost their entire starting lineup from last year. Ryan Shea and brother Jack, along with Carter Austin Bradley (who had a big game last year in the finals) make an extremely tough back court to defend. Fair Haven will certainly have their hands full. I do think this will be a decent game, but I'll take U32 by 8.
Twinfield's man in the middle Chad Copeland has put up big numbers once again this year averaging close to a double-double.  The biggest difference between the Trojans this year, and last is his supporting cast. Avery Whitcomb, Steven Gonzalaz, and David Codling have all had great seasons. Twinfield will certainly see what they are made of tonight as they take on D4 power Proctor. Proctor has bascially made the Barre Auditorium their second home floor, winning 5 of the last 6 division 4 state titles. Some things have changed for the Phantoms over the last couple of years for the Phantoms, but not enough to not consider them a serious contender to win the crown again. Both Twinfield and Proctor currently have undefeated seasons at 22-0. Pretty impressive. Even though the Trojans are the #2 and Proctor the #3, a Twinfield win in my mind would still be a slight upset. I'll like my chances taking Copeland and the boys...Twinfield by 3.
Should be a great night of HS hoops....