The Brattleboro Bears opened the season with an impressive 65–28 win over the Mount Anthony Patriots in a neutral-site matchup at the Leland & Gray Tip-Off Tournament, marking the first game under new head coach Sarah Landers.

While the final score suggests a wire-to-wire blowout, the game didn’t begin that way. Mount Anthony struck first with a three-point shot from junior Sadie Sekora, and the two teams traded blows throughout the opening quarter before heading into the second tied at 13–13.

Once the Bears found their stride, defensive intensity quickly changed the tone of the game. Brattleboro consistently pressured ball handlers, forcing turnovers and turning defense into offense with a steady stream of fast-break opportunities. It was clear the Bears wanted to turn the matchup into a track meet, pushing the pace and looking for quick, quality looks whenever possible.

Mount Anthony took a more methodical approach, retreating from the full-court pressure it showed early and settling into a 2–3 zone for much of the contest, but Brattleboro’s energy and pressure eventually broke through. By the end of the third quarter, the Bears had built a 44–23 advantage and showed no signs of letting up.

That mindset was on full display to open the fourth quarter, as Brattleboro ripped off a 10–1 run as if the game were still hanging in the balance. The stretch was highlighted by strong play from the senior duo of Reese Croutworst and Parker Thibault. Croutworst forced multiple turnovers and poured in 11 points during the period, while Thibault asserted herself inside with four rebounds, two blocks, and six points of her own. The sequence was capped by a perfectly timed over-the-top pass from Croutworst out of a well-executed set, finding Thibault for an easy two at the rim.

Croutworst led all scorers with 26 points, while Thibault added 12 to round out a balanced scoring effort for the Bears.

For a team playing its first game under a new head coach, Brattleboro’s poise stood out. The Bears remained aggressive, disciplined, and locked in from start to finish, setting an early standard for the season ahead.

Brattleboro will look to carry that momentum into the championship game of the Leland & Gray Tip-Off Tournament when it faces the Arlington Eagles on Saturday night at 7:00 p.m.