Rochester’s Pavin Parrish shoots over the heads of Twinfield’s Miguel Gonzales, left, and Brandon Gibbs (13) during the Rockets’ 77-61 victory during Monday’s Division IV semifinal in Barre. Rochester will make its first championship appearance since 1998 on Saturday. Photo: Adam Caira / Staff Photo

By TOM HERZIG
CORRESPONDENT

BARRE — Led by Pavin Parrish’s 36 points, Rochester looked every bit the part as the No. 1 seed in Monday’s Division IV boys basketball semifinal as the Rockets ended Twinfield’s three-peat bid with a 77-61 victory.

The game was not as close as the score would suggest. The Rockets hit 11 of 15 shots from the floor during a 28-10 third-quarter barrage and entered the final eight minutes with a 57-31 lead.

Parrish was an equal-opportunity scorer: His quarter-by-quarter totals read 8-5-11-12. When the junior point guard wasn’t tickling the nylon, he was assisting his teammates on the perimeter or at the rim. He had six assists, three rebounds and two steals for good measure.

Twinfield led 9-6 before Rochester set the tone with a 13-2 run. Parrish scored on a floater after a pump-fake, then made a shot just inside the arc. Caedin Ostrow-Remy hit a jumper and Parrish followed with his only 3-pointer of the night.

The Trojans hung around in the second quarter with inside baskets from senior standout David Codling, who scored his 1,000th career point late in the fourth quarter. Twinfield also relied on strong rebounding from Ethan Barnett.

Rochester got some valuable outside shooting from the trio of Derick Gendron, Clay Walker and Jay Benson, all of whom discouraged more double-teaming against Parrish. Six first-half rebounds by Tanner Pratt didn’t hurt.

Rochester led 29-21 at the break. On the opening possession of the second half, Parrish stole a pass and went in for a basket and a free throw. Twinfield turned it over again and Parrish fed Ostrow-Remy for two more.

“That was key,” Twinfield coach Ira Wheeler said. “It was a tough way to start the second half: two turnovers and five quick points. They hit their shots and we didn’t. We played them tough in the regular season, but it’s hard to compete when they shoot that well. We don’t shoot 3’s much.”

Twinfield outrebounded Rochester 28-19, but some of the spread came too late. Codling pulled down seven boards, while teammate Brad Brickey had six rebounds to go along with 10 points.

Parrish was backed up by Mike Smith (10 points) and Clay Walker (eight points). Rochester committed only four turnovers, nine fewer than Twinfield.

Rochester will make its first appearance in the championship game since 1998. The Rockets earned their last state title team in 1993.

Rochester coach Earl Wheeler, in his fifth year, played for Rochester at the Aud in 1980.

“We’ve shot well most of the season,” he said. “We have had several games with three or four guys in double figures. We haven’t had a lot of close games, but we were down by one to Blue Mountain with 40 seconds left in the quarterfinals. A lot of teams try to double-team Pavin. But he’s tough. He sees the floor and he’s unselfish.”

Twinfield finishes at 15-8.

Miguel Gonzales, Caleb Benoche and Carver Powers — as well as Codling — finished their careers with the Trojans following a pair of highly succesful seasons.