After leading their teams to state championships earlier this month, West Rutland’s Peyton Guay and Burlington’s Abdi Sharif collected more hardware on Saturday: the Vermont Basketball Coaches Association players of the year honors.

Guay was named the top girls player for the second time in three seasons, while Sharif was recognized as the state’s best on the boys side during the day-long celebration of hoops highlighted by four senior all-star games at Windsor High School.

Guay, who set the state’s all-time girls scoring record (2,279 points) this winter, helped West Rutland to a fourth straight Division IV title. Sharif was the leading scorer on a Burlington team that captured the program’s first D-I crown since 2016.

Coaches who are members of VBCA are allowed to vote on the POYs.

More: Senior rosters, coach honors: What to know for Saturday’s VBCA all-star event at Windsor

During Saturday’s competition, the North and South split the four games. The North now leads the all-time series 59-33.

The results:

Division III-IV girls: North 56, South 47

BFA-Fairfax’s Abba Villeneuve (10 points), Windsor’s Sophia Rockwood (nine) and Twinfield/Cabot’s Kendall Fowler (eight) powered the North, which pulled away from a three-point halftime lead.

For the South, West Rutland’s Bella Coobs scored nine points and Oxbow’s Maggi Elsworth tossed in seven.

Windsor’s Rockwood won the 3-point contest with a record-tying 18 3-pointers in a minute.

Division III-IV boys: South 82, North 81

Windsor’s Tanner Crane and White River Valley’s Zander Clark each scored 13 points and White River Valley’s Brayden Russ struck for a dozen points as the South built a big lead before holding off a North comeback bid.

Hazen’s Brendan Moodie (23 points) led the rally attempt from a 14-point deficit. Danville’s Andrew Joncas scored 11 points, Williamstown Evan Bailey added nine and Thetford’s Dylan Vance and Richford’s Jerrick Jacobs each had eight.

White River Valley’s Wyatt Cadwell won the 3-point contest on a tiebreaker.

Division I-II girls: South 65, North 62

In a tight finish, Fair Haven’s Izzy Cole sealed the win with a pair of game-sealing foul shots. Spaulding’s Taylor Keel led the winners with 14 points, followed by Mount Abraham’s Louisa Painter with eight points and Springfield’s Macie Stagner with seven.

For the North, Burlington’s Nylah Mitchell scored nine of her team-high 12 points in the second half. Mount Mansfield’s Bella Schultz-Mitchell scored seven.

Mount Anthony’s Madi Moore was the 3-point contest winner, matching Rockwood’s record 18 3s.

Division I-II boys: North 106, South 86

Burlington’s Abdi Sharif scored 17 points and Mount Mansfield’s Tommy Brockmeyer scored 14 as the North outlasted the South in a shootout.

St. Johnsbury’s Rex Hauser scored 13 points and Rice’s Dallas St. Peter put up 11 points.

On the South side, Rutland’s Dez Krakowka totaled 17 points and Montpelier teammates Atif Milak (14) and Carter Bruzzese (13) also reached double figures.

St. Peter captured the 3-point contest with 21 treys from distance.

Contact Alex Abrami at aabrami@freepressmedia.com. Follow him on X, formerly known as Twitter: @aabrami5.

The 15th-seeded Vermont women’s basketball team officially returns to March Madness today in a first-round NCAA Tournament matchup vs No. 2 North Carolina State.

The Catamounts (21-12), who captured the America East Conference championship last week, are making their second trip to the NCAA Tournament in three seasons and eighth in program history.

But they have a tough assignment in today’s 2 p.m. tip-off at Reynolds Coliseum, Raleigh, North Carolina: The Wolfpack (26-6) are ranked ninth in the Associated Press top-25 poll and are coming off a run to last year’s Final Four.

Watch Vermont women’s basketball vs NC State on Fubo

NC State is also undefeated (16-0) at home this season.

For live updates and how to watch, see below.

What channel is Vermont women’s basketball vs NC State on today? Where to watch, stream live?

Vermont women’s basketball will tip off vs NC State on ESPN. Streaming options include the NCAA March Madness Live app and Fubo, which offers a free trial.

Vermont women’s basketball vs NC State start time, TV channel, location

• Start time: 2 p.m. ET
• TV info: ESPN
• Location: Reynolds Coliseum, Raleigh, North Carolina.

Vermont women’s basketball vs NC State odds, betting line, spread

Odds according to BetMGM.

• Spread: -20.5
• Over/under: 124.5
• Moneyline: +1900

Vermont women’s basketball vs NC State prediction, game picks

NC State 70, Vermont 52: The Catamounts’ highly ranked defense won’t be enough to slow the Wolfpack’s high-scoring group of guards.

Vermont women’s basketball vs NC State stats

VERMONT

• PPG: 61.1
• PPG allowed: 52.2
• FG% 46.4
• 3PT%: 33.7

NC STATE

• PPG: 76.8
• PPG allowed: 65.4
• FG% 44.9
• 3PT%: 32.9

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Contact Alex Abrami at aabrami@freepressmedia.com. Follow him on X, formerly known as Twitter: @aabrami5.

Day 2 of the Round of 64 for the women’s NCAA Tournament is nearly underway, and among the games on tap is a battle between No. 2 NC State and No. 15 Vermont.

The NC State Wolfpack finished the regular season with a 26-6 record, ranking seventh in the nation in RPI, and fifth in strength of schedule. The Vermont Catamounts, meanwhile, finished 90th in RPI and were 13-3 in America East play. Vermont won their conference with a 62-55 win over Albany in the America East conference finals.

Here’s how our experts see Saturday’s Round of 64 clash playing out. Be sure to check out USA TODAY’s complete March Madness bracket predictions to see our team’s picks for every game. While you’re at it, don’t forget to read our tournament bold predictions and upset picks.

NC State vs. Vermont picks and predictions

Our experts from across the USA TODAY Network are unanimous (8-0) on who will win this game,  No. 2 seed Wolf Pack or No. 15 seed Catamounts. NC State does have the edge in efficiency statistics. Take a look at their full bracket predictions.

NC State vs. Vermont date, start time, how to watch

• Game Day: Saturday, March 22, 2025
• Game Time: 2 p.m. ET
• Location: Reynolds Coliseum in Raleigh, North Carolina
• TV Channel: ESPN
• Live Stream: Fubo, Sling TV, YouTube TV

Watch UConn vs. Arkansas State on Fubo

NC State vs. Vermont odds

Odds via BetMGM as of Thursday, March 20.

• Spread: NC State (-20.5)
• Moneyline Favorite: -10000
• Moneyline Underdog: +1900
• Total: 124.5

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