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The Brattleboro Bears’ season came to a close in a physical playoff battle with Mt. Mansfield, but not before delivering the kind of grit and fight that defined their season.
Behind a determined defensive effort and early scoring from Juliette Pals, Reese Croutworst, and Emma Frehsee, the Bears carried a 12–11 lead into the second quarter. Brattleboro made clear from the opening tip that nothing would come easy for the Cougars.
The No. 1 seed responded in the second quarter, using a scoring burst to take a 21–12 advantage before Croutworst buried a corner three to halt the run and keep the Bears within striking distance at 21–15. Brattleboro continued to battle, forcing Mt. Mansfield to earn every touch, every clean pass, and every basket.
With just under two minutes remaining in the half, another Croutworst basket trimmed the deficit to 24–19, but the Cougars closed the period strong to take a 29–19 lead into the break. The playoff intensity was evident throughout, with both teams fighting for the opportunity to extend their season and move one step closer to Patrick Gymnasium at the University of Vermont.
Mt. Mansfield extended its lead in the third quarter, stretching the margin to 43–26 entering the final frame. To Brattleboro’s credit, the effort never wavered. Even as the scoreboard favored the top seed, the Bears continued to defend, scrap for rebounds, and make the Cougars work deep into possessions.
After a brief scoring lull early in the fourth quarter, the Cougars found rhythm again, while the Bears chipped away down the stretch before the final buzzer sounded, marking the end of Brattleboro’s season.
A Season Defined by Resilience
The loss closes the book on a year that demanded resilience from this group.
In her first season at the helm, Head Coach Sarah Landers guided a team that endured significant adversity, including season-ending injuries to key contributors Naimah Harris and Myah Waite. Still, the Bears found their footing, rallied late in the season, and earned a home playoff victory — a testament to the culture and belief built within the program.
“This group gave me everything they possibly could all season long,” Landers said. “I never doubted their effort. They worked so hard every single time they stepped on the floor. I’m so incredibly proud of them — we left it all on the floor.”
This senior class leaves behind a strong foundation. Parker Thibault, Myah Waite, Reese Croutworst, Emma Frehsee, and Destiny Thibault each played meaningful roles in shaping the identity of this team — one rooted in defensive toughness, composure, and competitive pride.
While the final result didn’t end in a trip to Burlington, the effort against the top seed was emblematic of the Bears’ season: tough, unified, and unwilling to back down.
The foundation is set — and the standard remains high in Brattleboro.
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