Brattleboro stayed within reach throughout a fast-paced, high-scoring matchup with Greenfield, repeatedly responding to momentum swings and forcing the game to remain competitive into the fourth quarter.

The Bears opened the night attacking downhill and looking to generate early looks at the rim. Greenfield briefly gained control in the first quarter, moving ahead 18–13, but a Brattleboro timeout shifted the momentum. The Bears tightened defensively, closed the quarter on a 6–0 run, and took a 19–18 lead into the second.

Greenfield gained separation in the second quarter by turning turnovers into transition baskets. Brattleboro avoided letting the game unravel during that stretch. Landon Zinn checked in during the run and scored immediately, helping slow the momentum before finishing his shift by converting two free throws and closing a defensive possession with a timely rebound. Brattleboro trimmed the deficit late and went into halftime trailing 40–29.

The Bears opened the second half with a quick spark, as Logan Waite found Hudson Smith for a three to cut the lead to single digits. The third quarter settled into extended stretches of traded baskets, with Brattleboro continuing to generate offense while working to limit Greenfield’s ability to run in the open floor. Owen Dascomb set the tone inside, controlling the glass and creating extra possessions that kept the Bears connected. Zinn again delivered timely minutes, scoring on Brattleboro’s first possession of his shift and securing a rebound on the following defensive stand, as the score moved to 58–47 entering the fourth.

Brattleboro made its strongest push early in the final frame. Kaden Cole buried a three early in the period to trim the deficit to single digits and spark new life from the Bears. After a quick Greenfield response at the rim, Brattleboro answered again when Hudson Smith attacked the basket and drew contact. Though the free throw bounced off, the miss proved beneficial as Brattleboro corralled the offensive rebound and found Cole open beyond the arc. Cole connected on the three, completing an exciting five-point swing that trimmed the Green Wave’s lead to five on the same trip down the floor.

That would be as close as Brattleboro would get, as Greenfield weathered the rejuvenated energy from the Bears and extended its lead. Brattleboro, however, continued to battle through the final seconds before Greenfield pulled away for an 82–67 victory.

Smith lead the Bears with 27 points, including 14 in the fourth quarter, as Brattleboro continued to apply pressure late. Dawson Wheeler added 12 points, Noah Moore scored 7, and Dascomb anchored the interior with 19 rebounds and four blocks. Greenfield closed the game behind a balanced scoring effort, led by Grayson Thomas’ 32 points, with Connor Bergeron (18) and Gavin Arsenault (16) also contributing.

Following the game, Brattleboro head coach Winston Sailsman pointed to effort as the key takeaway.

“We just got outworked,” Sailsman said. “We’ve got to work harder — on 50–50 balls, diving on the floor. Brattleboro is a blue-collar town, and I want us to play a blue-collar brand of basketball.”

Despite the outcome, Brattleboro showed glimpses of the identity Sailsman emphasized following the game.

The Bears return to action with a rematch against St. Johnsbury Academy in Brattleboro’s home opener on Saturday, the 20th at 1:00 P.M.