Bulldogs split at Tip Off

The Bulldog boys basketball team came away from the Tip Off Tournament in Polson and Ronan with a split after topping Hamilton on Dec. 11 before losing to a powerful Dillon team the next day.

Senior Connor Silliker had a standout performance, posting 27 points over two games.

"Connor had a great weekend," Bulldog coach Mark Casazza said. "It's impressive how physical he played. He tried to finish at the rim every time."

Against Hamilton, Whitefish opened with stingy defense and led by five points at halftime.

"We came out against Hamilton with strong defense and set the tone at the beginning of the game," Casazza said. "We got a lead and they couldn't dig themselves out. It was a team effort."

The Bulldogs extended their lead over the Broncs in the third and held on to a 42-39 win after Hamilton made a late run in the fourth to nearly close the gap.

Silliker and Willie Roche each score 12 points, and Gage Vasquez added five.

On Saturday, Dillon ran up the score early in the first half against Whitefish on their way to a 63-45 win.

The 'Dogs made an impressive stand in the third and fourth quarters by scoring a combined 28 points, but the damage had already been done in the opening half.

"Dillon jumped on us and got us down," Casazza said. "We collected ourselves at the half, but we have to play all four quarters."

Silliker had 15 points to lead Whitefish.

The Bulldogs play Polson today at home.

Casazza says the Pirates are playing an up-tempo style this year and are pushing the ball up the floor.

"We don't want to get into a run-and-gun game with them," Casazza said. "We want to control the tempo and play team defense."

The game is slated for 4:15 p.m. at Whitefish High School.

Whitefish 45, Dillon 63

Dillon 19 16 16 12 — 63

Whitefish 8 9 15 13 — 45

WHITEFISH — Christopher Forrest 5, Willie Roche 6, Gage Vasquez 10, Cooper Olson 6, Jace Kalbfleisch 3, Connor Silliker 15

Whitefish 42, Hamilton 39

Whitefish 11 10 10 11 — 42

Hamilton 5 11 9 14 — 39

WHITEFISH — Willie Roche 12, Connor Silliker 12, Gage Vasquez 8, Austin Green 5, Cooper Olson 3, Christopher Forrest 2