BY ANDY KIRKALDY
BRANDON — The Otter Valley Union High School girls’ basketball team on Saturday broke through for its first win — at the expense of visiting Vergennes in overtime.
By defeating the visiting Commodores, 61-56, Otters picked up their first win in 10 outings.
As well as OV improving to 1-9, the big story was the performance of Otter senior Elena Politano. Held scoreless in the first half, Politano scored 17 points in the second half and then 13 more in overtime after regulation ended in a 46- 46 tie. Among her points were six three-pointers.
“It was an unbelievable performance,” said VUHS Coach Billy Waller.
Waller credited all of OV Coach Ray Counter’s Otters for their effort.
“Ray’s kids wanted it badly,” he said.
Also scoring for OV were Emily Peduto (13 points) and Anna Lee (eight). Waller also said OV guard Ryleigh LaPorte (six points) submitted a strong all-around game.
Kyra Bradford excelled for the Commodores, with 24 points, 15 rebounds, six assists and six steals. Ashtin Stearns scored 13 points, and Kaelin Sullivan and Finnley Jacobson added six apiece.
On Monday, host Burr and Burton Academy toppled the Otters, 57-30, in Manchester. The Bulldogs bolted to a 29-9 halftime lead.
Peduto led OV (1-10) with 11 points. Lee added eight, and LaPorte chipped in seven points.
