Retrospect: Bryant topped ’Dogs

Fifty years ago this week, Bryant and Pennville high schools boys basketball teams squared off in the first round of the Portland sectional.

The Bryant Owls had finished their regular season 17-3, led by prolific scorer Jim Schoenlein, who averaged 20.5 points per game over the length of the season. The Pennville Bulldogs, by contrast, had struggled in the 1966-67 season, and came into the sectional game with a record of 3-17.

Things went as planned for Bryant coach Dennis Wallace, as the Owls took the lead early in the first quarter, not to be relinquished. Pennville still fought to cause 19 Bryant turnovers and limited Schoenlein to only 33 percent shooting. By the third quarter, they cut Bryant’s lead to four, but a balanced attack and strong rebounding from the Owls was too much for the Bulldogs to overcome. Bryant tallied a 58-43 win when the final buzzer sounded.

Bryant moved on to the semifinals of the Portland sectional, in which they faced Montpelier, the sectional favorite. A hard-fought game saw the Owls lose 73-66.