RICHFORD- In what can only be described as an instant classic, The Terriers earned their first trip to the Barre Auditorium in 22 years with a thrilling come from behind 54-51 victory over the Richard Falcons on Monday night.
“There is no better feeling than seeing these guys earn what they have worked so hard for all year,” said Coach Evan Chadwick. “I am tired, worn down and epically pumped up all at the same time.”
The Terriers made the 3.5 hour trip North in style, courtesy of the BF faithful who raised funds for a roomy charter bus and plenty of snacks to fuel the legs for the trip. And, although the Terriers struggled to find their shooting touch early, their defense was as solid as ever, holding Richard to 6 first quarter points to enter the second quarter down by just 3.
“I cannot thank our families and friends enough for providing us everything we needed to prepare for the trip,” said Chadwick. “It truly was a community-wide assist.”
Neither team could gather much separation in the middle two quarters. Jesse Darrell hit a corner 3 to stretch the BF lead to 6, but the Falcons responded and, after 3 the Terriers lead by 4.
Richford would recapture the lead with 2 minutes remaining, but Cole Moore would answer with a corner 3 and the contest was knotted at 47. Richford would take a 4 point lead with under 2 minutes remaining, by again the Terriers had an answer. Jake Moore finished inside on a Jamison Nystrom assist and, after Walker James hit 1 of 2 free throws on one of his 7 offensive rebounds in the second half, the Terriers forced a turnover.
The senior connection of Nystrom and Moore again proved to be the winning combination, as Nystrom found Moore inside, who finished the contested floater to take the lead.
After another turnover forced by the Terrier defense, Nystrom was fouled and calmly hit two free throws. The next 27 seconds was a frantic affair that saw Richford get two heavily contested looks at the tying 3. Neither found the mark and the Terriers fans and players celebrated together, earning their right to face off with the #1 seed Winooski Spartans on Thursday night with a trip to the Division 3 championship on the line.
Bellows Falls Basketball 