BURLINGTON, Vt. (WCAX) – Just hours before Burlington’s Independence Day fireworks, Vermont Green put on its own fireworks show in the form of a five-goal outburst to claim the first-ever Maple Cup.

Xavi got the scoring started by converting a penalty kick in the eighth minute, and Jacob Labovitz doubled up the home team’s lead about 15 minutes after. In all, the Green dominated from start to finish, hoisting the Maple Cup and enjoying a celebratory syrup chug from the trophy.

“It felt good. The maple syrup here is fantastic,” midfielder Daniel Pacella said after the celebration. “Honestly it’s amazing to make a game like this where there’s a cup on the line. Although it’s a friendly, it means a lot for us to win it. And for the kids here, this is a big game for them. They see a trophy and they see their team winning it. That means a lot to them, and it means a lot to us too.”

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BARTON — Young equestrians from across northeastern Vermont gathered at the Orleans County Fairgrounds in Barton for the 2024 Northeast Regional 4-H Horsemanship Clinic from June 21-23.

The annual event, sponsored by University of Vermont (UVM) Extension 4-H, offered participants aged 5 to 18 the opportunity to enhance their riding and horsemanship skills in a fun, educational setting.

Over the weekend, 4-H members engaged in various activities including riding lessons, showmanship classes, and general knowledge competitions. The clinic culminated in a horse show on Sunday afternoon, featuring more than 30 individual classes.

Notable achievements included:

• The Wildlife Warriors 4-H Club of St. Johnsbury won the “Golden Bucket of Goodies” for best overall stable management.
• Jenesy Zwart of Danville received the Shelby Noyes Sportsmanship award.
• Quinn Charest of Derby Line, Zayne Franko of Lyndonville, Adriana Leonard of East Hardwick, Penelope Longe of Newport, and Jillyan Normand of North Concord placed first in their respective fitting and showmanship classes.

The event also provided activities for younger participants and those without horses, including craft activities and workshops on horse care.

UVM Extension 4-H Educators Lindy Birch and Holly Ferris organized the clinic, with support from various instructors, 4-H leaders, and parents.

T.J. Sorrentine is headed to the National Basketball Association.

The former Vermont basketball star famously known for that shot from the parking lot in the 2005 NCAA Tournament has accepted a gig on the Washington Wizards bench, the Providence Journal reported on Wednesday.

Sorrentine, who spent 16 seasons at Brown, the last 13 as the program’s associate head coach, told the Providence Journal that the Wizards’ offer was too good to pass up. Sorrentine, who graduated from UVM in 2005, is a Pawtucket, Rhode Island, native. 

“I was happy,” Sorrentine told the Providence Journal. “I was comfortable. When I came down here to visit, I came with the mindset that it was a great opportunity. But if it didn’t happen or come through, I had a great job.  

“This was a unique opportunity. That’s when I knew it was time to go. I was ready. I’m going to take full advantage of this opportunity.”

According to the Journal’s story, Sorrentine has a strong connection with new Wizards coach Brian Keefe, who had the interim tag removed from his title in late May. Sorrentine and Keefe’s relationship traces back over two decades.

“That obviously put it over the top,” Sorrentine said. “That was first and foremost. I always say small circle — have a lot of friends and know a lot of people, but a really small circle of people I trust.”

At Vermont, Sorrentine was an America East player of the year who was a crucial catalyst during the program’s golden era that saw the Catamounts climb into relevancy and reach three straight NCAA tourneys between 2003-05. Sorrentine’s long-distance 3-pointer in the 2005 tournament — “hit that one from the parking lot!” — sealed Vermont’s stunning, overtime upset of Syracuse.

Sorrentine, who had his Vermont No. 11 jersey retired along with teammate Taylor Coppenrath’s 22 in 2019, scored 2,013 points over his Catamount career, which ranks third in program history behind Eddie Benton and Coppenrath.

Contact Alex Abrami at aabrami@freepressmedia.com. Follow him on Twitter: @aabrami5.