Our Team

  • Ernie Duncan / Owner and Head Trainer

    Ernie is the founder of Duncan Hoops and the current Head Varsity Boys Basketball Coach at Champlain Valley Union High School (CVU). A standout guard at the University of Vermont from 2014 to 2019, Ernie finished his collegiate career ranked 10th in career points (1,489), 2nd in career 3-pointers made (308), and holds the program record for career 3-point percentage (.419). His accolades include America East All-Conference First Team (2019), Second Team (2018), Third Team (2017), All-Defensive Team (2018), and All-Rookie Team (2016), as well as National Association of Basketball Coaches All-District Second Team honors in 2019. ​Ernie played a pivotal role in leading the Catamounts to two NCAA Tournament appearances. In his senior year, he and his younger brothers, Everett and Robin, made history as the only trio of brothers to play together in an NCAA Tournament game. ​After college, Ernie chose to remain in Vermont, dedicating himself to developing young athletes through Duncan Hoops, which offers training, clinics, and camps. His commitment to mentorship and player development extends to his role at CVU, where he emphasizes building strong relationships and teaching the game the right way.

  • Ben Platt / Trainer

    Ben Platt is a dedicated basketball professional with a strong background in team operations, player development, and film analysis. He began his basketball journey as a two-year Student Manager for the University of Vermont (UVM) men's basketball team, where he also contributed to the John Becker Basketball Camp. In 2023, Ben expanded his experience by working with the FAU Basketball Camp and was honored as one of the Elite 50 Managers selected to assist at the prestigious College Basketball Academy. His analytical skills were further utilized as a film analyst for UVM, providing scouting reports, player personnel evaluations, and key insights through video analysis. Ben has been an integral part of the Duncan Hoops team for the past three years, focusing on mentoring young athletes and fostering their growth both on and off the court. He is also the founder of Courtside Connections, a platform dedicated to connecting and empowering the basketball community.​

  • Catherine Gilwee

    Catherine Gilwee / Trainer

    Catherine is a current guard for the University of Vermont women’s basketball team and one of the top players in the America East Conference. A former Gatorade Player of the Year and “Miss Basketball” in Vermont, she starred at Champlain Valley Union High School, going 30–0 over her final two seasons. At UVM, Catherine has been a consistent leader on and off the court—starting every game in the 2024–25 season and leading the conference in assists per game and assist-to-turnover ratio. Despite missing the 2023–24 season with an ACL injury, she returned to help guide the Catamounts to a 21–13 record. Her sophomore year, she made 74 three-pointers, just one shy of the school’s single-season record. Catherine is passionate about giving back to her community. She coaches and trains players through Duncan Hoops, mentors young athletes, and remains committed to helping the next generation grow through the game of basketball.

  • Noah Barnett

    Noah Barnett / Trainer

    Noah is a 6'9" forward for the University of Vermont men's basketball team, known for his efficiency and presence in the paint. A native of Poughkeepsie, New York, he played high school basketball at Don Bosco Prep in Ramsey, New Jersey, where he averaged 11.3 points per game in his senior year. ​In the 2024–25 season, Noah appeared in 21 games, averaging 3.4 points and 2.5 rebounds per game, with an impressive 70.7% field goal percentage.  His ability to finish around the rim and contribute defensively has made him a valuable asset to the Catamounts.​ Beyond his collegiate career, Noah is dedicated to developing young athletes. Through Duncan Hoops, he mentors aspiring players, focusing on skill development and basketball IQ.​

  • TJ Hurley

    TJ Hurley / Trainer

    TJ Hurley is a dynamic 6'5" guard for the University of Vermont men's basketball team, known for his sharpshooting and leadership on the court. Hailing from Fonthill, Ontario, TJ honed his skills at The Rock School in Gainesville, Florida, before making an immediate impact at the collegiate level.​ In his junior season (2024–25), TJ elevated his game significantly, averaging 15.8 points, 2.4 rebounds, and 1.3 assists per game. He showcased impressive shooting efficiency with a 42.7% field goal percentage, 38.2% from beyond the arc, and an outstanding 89.0% from the free-throw line. ​TJ's sophomore year (2023–24) saw him contribute 7.4 points and 2.7 rebounds per game, starting in 21 of 31 appearances. His freshman campaign earned him a spot on the America East All-Rookie Team, highlighting his immediate impact on the program. Beyond his collegiate achievements, TJ represented Canada at the U19 FIBA World Cup, gaining valuable international experience and showcasing his skills on a global stage. At Duncan Hoops, TJ brings his high-level playing experience and passion for the game to mentor and develop young athletes, focusing on shooting mechanics, game intelligence, and fostering a competitive mindset.​

  • Bella Vito

    Bella Vito / Trainer

    Bella is a standout guard for the University of Vermont women's basketball team, recognized for her defensive prowess and leadership on the court. In the 2024–25 season, she earned the America East Defensive Player of the Year award and was named to the All-Defensive Team. She averaged 7.8 points, 5.7 rebounds, and 1.9 assists per game, showcasing her all-around game and commitment to excellence. A native of Montville, New Jersey, Bella had a stellar high school career at Montville Township High School, where she was named the 2020–21 Female Athlete of the Year and Morris County Coaches Player of the Year. She also earned the Northwest Jersey Athletic Conference Player of the Year honor, averaging 22.4 points, 8.9 rebounds, 4.1 assists, and 3.4 steals per game during her senior season. ​Beyond her on-court achievements, Bella is dedicated to mentoring young athletes through Duncan Hoops, focusing on skill development and fostering a love for the game.​

  • Kelli Cieplicki

    Kelli Cieplicki is a 5'9" guard who just completed her freshman season at Saint Michael's College, where she continues to grow her game at the collegiate level. A 2024 graduate of Rice Memorial High School, Kelli was a standout in Vermont’s high school basketball scene, known for her scoring ability, court awareness, and leadership. Coming from a family with deep basketball roots, Kelli helped lead Rice to consistent success and earned Metro Division First Team honors. At Duncan Hoops, she now gives back to the next generation—mentoring young players and focusing on skill development, basketball IQ, and building confidence on and off the court.

  • Robin Duncan / Trainer

    Robin Duncan is a versatile 6'5" guard known for his all-around game and leadership qualities. A standout at the University of Vermont, Robin played in a program-record 147 games, finishing his collegiate career ranked 9th all-time in assists with 432. In his fifth year (2022–23), he averaged 7.9 points, 7.2 rebounds, and 4.4 assists per game, leading the America East Conference in assists and assist-to-turnover ratio (3.17). His exceptional performance earned him spots on both the America East All-Conference First Team and All-Defensive Team. Robin's basketball journey continued professionally with LWD Basket Leeuwarden in the Dutch Basketball League, where he has made a significant impact. At Duncan Hoops, Robin brings his high-level playing experience and passion for the game to mentor and develop young athletes, focusing on skill development, basketball IQ, and fostering a competitive mindset.​

  • Dustin Parker

    Dustin Parker / Website & Social Media Manager

    Dustin works behind the scenes as the web manager and graphic designer. He brings over a decade of experience in public relations, social media, and graphic design. Dustin began his career volunteering in the athletic communications office at Dartmouth before moving onto the University of Maine at Farmington as the Director of Athletic Communications and Academic Compliance Officer. While at UMF, he was in charge of keeping stats, writing press releases, and generating social content for 20 varsity sports while complying with academic eligibility regulations. After UMF, he joined the Vermont Catamounts as the Assistant Director of Media Relations/Sports Information and primary media contact for the men’s basketball team. He is also the Director of Digital Media and Content Strategy for Nucar’s Family of Dealershps.

  • Ryan Manley / Photographer

    Ryan joined Duncan Hoops as a photographer, bringing a wealth of experience from his previous role as the Director of Athletic Communications for UVM Athletics. There, he served as the primary contact for the UVM men's basketball team, creating dynamic social media content, producing videos, and capturing game-day photos that resonated with fans. Ryan's coverage included four trips to March Madness, during which he helped make UVM’s men’s basketball pages among the most engaging Division I basketball accounts. His passion for storytelling through visuals continues to shine in his work with Duncan Hoops. Outside of Duncan Hoops, he is a Multimedia Specialist for Nucar’s Family of Dealerships and a freelance photographer.