What a difference four years makes.
Back in 2022, the West Rutland boys basketball team was in the rut of a winless campaign, crashing back down to earth after making it to the Division IV state championship game the year before against rival Proctor.
Fast forward to to 2026 and the Golden Horde are on the complete opposite end of things. West Rutland finished off its first perfect regular season in program history, beating Green Mountain to accomplish it on Thursday.
Two players, Braden Hogan and Michael Harte, have been on both of those teams and have experienced those extremes. Now, they want to be on the team that wins it all. The Golden Horde are one of the favorites to be crowned Division IV champion in two weeks.
West Rutland is one of two unbeaten boys basketball teams this year, along with Division II Hartford. The Hurricanes maintain the top spot in the final power rankings of the regular season.