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.

Vermont and New Hampshire resume their rivalry battle on Saturday, July 20 with the long-running Lions Twin State Soccer Cup on tap at Hanover High School.

The girls game is slated to kick off at 1 p.m.; followed by the boys contest at 4. The event, in its 49th year, pits recently graduated high school seniors from each state against each other.

Kim Prestridge of White River Valley is the Vermont girls head coach. Milton’s Cait Fogel, Arlington’s Brandon Smith and White River Valley’s Omar Calhum-Flowers will also serve on Prestridge’s staff.

Shane Bufano, recently hired to take over the Champlain Valley program, will direct the Green Mountain boys squad, along with assistants Rob Cole (CVU) and Chris George (Middlebury) and retired South Burlington coach David Martin.

After New Hampshire swept both games last summer, the Granite State extended its lead in the all-time series — 21-14-5 on the girls side and 20-18-10 in the boys matchups.

More: How Vermont fared vs. New Hampshire in annual Twin State showdowns

The rosters:

VERMONT GIRLS

BFA-St. Albans: Adelaide Hughes, defense; Tessa Sweeney, midfield. Burlington: Brooks DeShaw, midfield/forward; Rosalie Perkinson, defense. Burr and Burton: Maura Grazioso, midfield; Isabella Lam, forward. Champlain Valley: Stella Dooley, defense/midfield; Chloe Pecor, forward. Colchester: Isabel Benoure, defense. Essex: Hailey Routhier, defense; Avery Stockamore, midfield/forward. Leland & Gray: Maggie Parker, midfield. Montpelier: Estherline Carlson, forward. Mount Mansfield: Finley Barker, midfield; Kate Leach, defense. North Country: Maya Auger, goalie; Charli Kellaway, midfield. Randolph: Shiloh Lake, forward. Rice: Raven McCray-Fay, defense. South Burlington: Rachel Kelley, forward; Oakley Machanic, midfield. White River Valley: Amara Calhum-Flowers, midfield/forward; Tanner Drury, defense.

VERMONT BOYS

Brattleboro: Ozzie VanHendrick, forward. Burlington: Max Ladner, midfield. Champlain Valley: Chandler Turner, forward; Luke Sampson, midfield. Colchester: Jacques Alfani, forward/midfield. Enosburg: Landon Paulson, forward. Essex: Henry Kinney, midfield/defense. Middlebury: Eddie Fallis, forward. Milton: Finn Kascha-Hare, midfield. Mount Mansfield: Evan Chicoine, defense; Liam Goslin, defense; Oscar Howard, forward. Montpelier: Brio Levitt, goalie. Rice: Luke Broussard, midfield. South Burlington: Hammad Ali, midfield/forward; Oliver Clifford, defense; Omar Daoudi, midfield/forward. Stowe: Aaron Lepikko, defense; Brock Roick, goalie. Twin Valley: Cody Magnant, forward. U-32: Bennett Clark, midfield. Vergennes: Oakley Francis, midfield.

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