Hazen Summer Hoop News
by Ken Brown
HARDWICK – Hazen Union Hoop Camp will tip-off their twenty-first year this month, running from July 18-22. Hazen’s Summer League also runs every Monday and Wednesday night at the “Cat Den” through August 4. Games are run at 6 p.m., 7 p.m. and 8p.m., during those evenings. A pair of Team Camp Tournaments are scheduled for July 16, at U-32 and July 30 and July 31 at Lyndon Institute. Head coach Aaron Hill and his Wildcats claimed the Division III state championship back in March, Hill’s sixth title at Hazen Union in 23 seasons. He will return a talented core next winter to defend their title that includes First Team Capital League selection Tyler Rivard.
Hazen Union’s high school girls’ summer league tips off this week at U-32 and will run twice a week through the month of July. Head coach Tim Whitney led the Lady Cats to the quarterfinals this past winter without a single senior on the squad. He’ll return a talented underclassmen core in December that includes junior Caitlyn Davison who was a Mountain League First Team selection as well as a member of the Vermont Dream Dozen.
Former Charger Cipriano named Athletic Director at Spaulding
BARRE – Derek Cipriano was the latest of several athletic director changes around the state of Vermont this summer as he will jump from Oxbow to Spaulding this coming fall. Cipriano was the A.D. and boys’ basketball coach at Craftsbury Academy for five seasons before taking the Oxbow A.D. job in 2018. The University of Vermont graduate will replace Natalie Soffen at Spaulding High School this coming fall.
Locals set to Compete in Upcoming Vermont Amateur
BRATTLEBORO – Country Club of Barre’s Bryson Richards, Riley Richards, and Mountain View Country Club’s Phil Fairbanks will compete in Vermont’s biggest golf tournament of the season this week as the Vermont State Amateur tees off from July 5-7 at Brattleboro Country Club.
Bryson Richards is the defending champion after an eight stroke victory in 2021. The University of Rhode Island standout will be joined in the field by his brother Riley who had a decorated high school career at U-32 and will attend Franklin Pierce University in the fall. Both are the sons of former Craftsbury Academy star athlete Pete Richards. Phil Fairbanks will represent Mountain View Country Club and will tee off at noon on Tuesday. Riley will start his first round on Tuesday at 9:30 a.m., and Bryson will begin his title defense at 10:40 a.m.
