Braves falter late in Hellgate loss

The Daily Inter Lake

The Flathead boys led for most of the game, but couldn’t close out Missoula Hellgate in a 61-56 Class AA conference home basketball loss on Saturday afternoon.

The Braves (6-6 overall, 2-2 Western AA) stormed out of the gates, leading 11-7 after the first quarter and rolling to a 44-36 lead after three quarters.

Hellgate (6-6, 2-2) started to heat up early in the fourth quarter, opening the frame on a 10-2 run to tie the score at 46-46 with 4:50 to play. The Knights only pulled away from there, closing the game on a 15-10 run.

Rollie Worster had 18 points and Derrius Collins 17 points to lead Hellgate.

Sam Elliott had 16 points for Flathead and Wyatt Potter had 12 points before fouling out.

Hellgate 7 13 16 25 – 61

Flathead 11 14 19 12 – 56

Hellgate – Landon Youbles 5 0-0 10, Derrius Collins 6 3-4 17, Dylan Botsford 0 0-2 0, Kade Lunday 4 0-1 8, Bridger Deden 2 2-2 7, Rollie Worster 6 3-6 18, Bridger Liston 0 1-2 1. Totals 24 9-17 61.

Flathead – Wyatt Potter 4 0-0 12, Bridger Johnson 3 3-4 9, Eric Seaman 1 0-0 3, Tyler Johnson 4 2-3 8, Sam Elliott 7 2-4 16, Dawson Smith 2 0-0 4. Totals 21 7-11 56.

3-point goals – Hellgate 4 (Collins 2), Flathead 7 (Potter 4). Total fouls – Hellgate 15, Flathead 16. Fouled out – Potter.

Glacier 65,

Missoula Big Sky 35

Glacier opened the game on a 17-0 run and powered through a sluggish second quarter to rout Missoula Big Sky in a Western AA conference game.

Glacier (11-1 overall, 4-0 Western AA) shot 50 percent from 3-point range, building a 20-7 lead in the first quarter and outscoring Big Sky 40-18 in the second half.

Jaxen Hashley had 16 points and nine rebounds to lead the Wolfpack. Brec Rademacher had 12 points and Caden Harkins 10 points in the win.

Alex Simmons led Big Sky (2-9, 1-3) with 11 points.

Big Sky 7 10 10 8 — 35

Glacier 20 5 22 18 — 65

BIG SKY — Dan Morin 1 0-0 2, Jordan Casselman 1 1-2 3, Josh Malone 5 0-0 10, Nick Yovetich 3 2-4 8, Nick Wakai 0 0-2 0, Alex Simmons 3 4-5 11, Carl Butz 0 0-4 0. Totals: 13 7-17 35.

GLACIER — Torin Bowden 3 0-0 6, Cody Hartsoch 1 1-3 3, Jaxen Hashley 6 3-5 16, Tadan Gilman 3 0-1 6, Kody Jarvis 1 0-0 3, Bryce Grame 1 0-0 2, Collin Kazmier 1 0-0 3, Caden Harkins 4 1-3 10, Brec Rademacher 4 0-0 12, Pat O’Connell 2 0-0 4. Totals: 26 5-12 65.

3-point goals—Big Sky 2-11 (Casselman 1-2, Simmons 1-5, Morin 0-1, Wakai 0-2, Butz 0-1), Glacier 8-16 (Rademacher 4-8, Harkins 1-1, Kazmier 1-1, Jarvis 1-1, Hashley 1-2, Gilman 0-3). Rebounds—Big Sky 22 (Yovetich 9), Glacier 30 (Hashley 9). Total fouls—Big Sky 16, Glacier 15. Fouled out—none.

Frenchtown 84,

Whitefish 42

FRENCHTOWN — Frenchtown ran away in the first half to retake first place in the Northwest A conference with a win over Whitefish.

The Broncs (7-6 overall, 4-1 Northwest A) led 26-10 after eight minutes and 51-21 at half.

Jacob Price had 20 points and Austin Means had 17 points to lead Frenchtown.

Lee Walburn and Sawyer Silliker each had nine points to lead Whitefish (4-9, 0-3).

Whitefish 10 11 11 10 – 42

Frenchtown 26 25 19 14 – 84

Whitefish – Derek Kastella 8, Zander Wold 4, Murphy Wick 2, Vagard Ellingsen 2, Sawyer Silliker 9, Ryan Kemm 6, Lee Walburn 9, Dillon Botner 2.

Frenchtown – Ethan Pyron 8, Jacob Price 20, Brock Rugg 10, Ty Hoppie 3, Cade Baker 3, Adam Botkin 14, Hank Rugg 1, Tradd Richardson 5, Austin Means 17, Zack Baker 3.

Stevensville 62,

Columbia Falls 30

COLUMBIA FALLS — Columbia Falls sputtered in the second quarter as Stevensville ran away with a nonconference win.

Stevensville (4-8) led 15-10 after the first quarter and held the Wildcats to two points in the second to take a 28-10 lead into the break, only expanding the lead in the second half.

Logan Stephens led Columbia Falls (2-11) with 11 points.

Jarod Kingsbury had 25 points to pace the Yellowjackets.

Stevensville 13 15 17 17 – 62

Columbia Falls 8 2 10 10 – 30

Stevensville – Jarod Kingsbury 25, James Fry 16, Dalton Bragg 8, Chayse Richards 3, Alex Gavlak 3, Luis Estrada 7.

Columbia Falls – Austin Green 6, Logan Stephens 11, LJ Panasuk 2, Logan Bechtel 2, Dakota Bridwell 7, Matthew Morrison 2.

Missoula Loyola 73,

Bigfork 66

BIGFORK — Loyola got off to a fast start and held off a late charge from Bigfork in a nonconference clash between two of tshe top teams in Western B division.

The Rams (10-2) outpaced Bigfork 16-9 in the first quarter and held on for a narrow win, despite a handful of rallies by the Vikings.

Anders Epperly had 22 points and Clayton Reichenbach had 16 for Bigfork (11-3). The Vikings were 8 for 22 from the free-throw line in the game.

Loyola 16 19 17 21 — 73

Bigfork 9 16 16 25 — 66

LOYOLA — Jack Lincoln 12, Scotty Levite 2, Kellen Round 3, Brian Swanson 6, Jacob Hollenback 2, Ryan McHugh 11, Fisher Richardson 10, Joey McElroy 9, Parker Davis 18.

BIGFORK — Anders Epperly 22, Clayton Reichenbach 16, Colton Reichenbach 3, Logan Taylor 10, Chase Chappuis 2, Logan Gilliard 8, Beau Santistevan 5.

Libby 50, Ronan 39

RONAN — Ryggs Johnston had 18 points and Ryan Nagle had 16 points as Libby rolled Ronan in a nonconference game.

The Loggers (8-6) outscored Ronan 12-5 in the first quarter and led 24-13 at half, pulling out to a 14-point lead after three quarters.

Kobe Morigeau had nine points to pace Ronan (7-7).

Libby 12 12 15 11 – 50

Ronan 5 8 12 14 – 39

Libby – Brian Peck 2, Ryggs Johnston 18, Gabe Peck 6, Ryan Nagle 16, Erik Lauer 8.

Ronan – Nate Dennis 1, Kasey Mock 8, Aaron Misa 7, Kobe Morigeau 9, Josh Stewart 7, Anthony Camel 7.

St. Ignatius 60, Eureka 52

ST. IGNATIUS — Eureka couldn’t overcome a slow first half in a nonconference loss to St. Ignatius.

The Lions (2-11) outscored St. Ignatius 21-11 in the fourth quarter but it wasn’t enough to make up for only 18 first half points. The Bulldogs (2-9) led 20-8 after the first quarter and 37-18 at half.

Jacob Cardinale had 15 points to lead Eureka.

Eureka 8 10 13 21 – 52

St. Ignatius 20 17 12 11 – 60

Eureka – Jaime Good 4, Brad Stein 8, Mo Henderson 8, Quade Anderson 13, Colten Cooper 4, Jacob Cardinale 15.

St. Ignatius – Jacob Hugs 2, Levi Alexander 3, Beedo Matt 5, Colin Linsbigler 2, Flint McPherson 7, Elijah Cahoon 19, Wacey McClure 10, Isaac Alexander 8, Matt Anderson 4.

Thompson Falls 54, Troy 44

TROY — Troy struggled to score in the second quarter, falling behind in an otherwise close loss to 7B opponent Thompson Falls.

Thompson Falls (4-8 overall, 3-2 7B) held a narrow 17-16 lead after the first quarter but went on a 10-1 scoring run into half, pulling out to enough of a lead to hold of the Trojans (2-9, 0-6) in the second half.

Nathan Thibeault scored 15 points to lead the Blue Hawks.

Dillon Savage had a game-hihg 22 points for Troy.

Thompson Falls 17 10 13 14 — 54

Troy 16 1 14 13 — 44

THOMPSON FALLS — McKenzie Holt 4, Dillon Beckman 5, Danny Hoisington 9, Peyton Frields 6, John Skerl 5, Garrett Strine 10, Nathan Thibeault 15.

TROY — Zack Cotten 8, Dillon Savage 22, Tucker Winn 3, Jordan Day 1, Dylan Cummings 2, Mason Chapel 8.

Stillwater Christian 67, Bonners Ferry 60

Despite a back-and-forth first half, Stillwater Christian pulled away in the third quarter to defeat visiting Bonners Ferry in a nonconference game.

The Cougars (14-2) led 16-7 after the first quarter but saw that lead dwindle to 26-25 at half. A 21-16 advantage in the third quarter helped Stillwater hold off the Badgers for the win.

Three players scored at least 20 points for Stillwater, led by Isaac Neumann with 23. Austin Brown had 22 points and Joe Hooker 21 for the Cougars.

Kaleb Stockton led Bonners Ferry with 15 points.

Bonners Ferry 7 18 16 19 — 60

Stillwater Cn 16 10 21 20 — 67

STILLWATER CHRISTIAN —Austin Brown 5 10-13 22, Joe Hooker 9 1-2 21, Isaac Neumann 9 2-2 23, Zack Basnett 0 1-2 1. Totals: 23 14-21 67.

BONNERS FERRY—Chris Sabin 4 5-8 14, Kaleb Stockton 5 2-2 15, Dylan Hittle 4 0-2 10, Caleb Harriston 2 3-4 8, Brady Bateman 5 2-2 13. Totals: 20 12-18 60.

Girls

Flathead 44,

Missoula Hellgate 34

MISSOULA — Flathead posted huge offensive numbers in the first and third quarters to distance itself from Missoula Hellgate and pick up its first road win in conference play.

The Bravettes (7-5 overall, 2-2 Western AA) outscored Hellgate 15-8 in the first quarter and 18-14 in the third quarter, building a 42-26 lead entering the final frame.

Despite putting up only two points in the final eight minutes, Flathead was able to hold on for the win.

Kylie Meredith hit four 3-pointers and had 18 points and Tiana Johnson 11 points for the Bravettes.

Maddie Hamilton led Hellgate (4-8, 1-3) with 11 points.

Flathead 15 9 18 2 – 44

Hellgate 8 4 14 8 – 34

Flathead – Kylee Meredith 5 4-5 18, Mary Heaton 0 3-4 3, Sierra Siblerud 3 0-0 6, Kelsey Gillespie 2 0-0 6, Tianna Johnson 4 2-2 11. Totals 14 9-11 44.

Hellgate – Shay Evans 0 2-4 2, Claudia Wiese 3 0-0 6, Kaci Paffhausen 0 3-4 3, Maddie Hamilton 2 5-6 11, Syd Riddle 1 2-2 4, Saige Red Boy 1 0-0 2, Kylie Lunday 3 0-0 6. Totals 10 12-16 34.

3-point goals – Flathead 7 (Meredith 4), Hellgate 2 (Hamilton 2). Total fouls – Flathead 15, Hellgate 13. Fouled out – none.

Glacier 41,

Missoula Big Sky 18

MISSOULA — Glacier shook off a sluggish start to roll Missoula Big Sky in a Western AA conference game.

The Wolfpack (5-7 overall, 3-1 Western AA) led Big Sky (2-9, 0-4) just 4-2 after the first quarter but got loose in the second quarter to build a 19-6 advantage at the break.

Glacier outscored the Eagles 16-5 in the fourth quarter to seal the victory.

“We played fairly solid,” Glacier coach Bill Sullivan said.

“We held Big Sky to 18 points. Offensively we got some things going in a couple of quarters. Overall, a very good game for us.

“More importantly, we’re 3-1 in conference going into a pretty big week.”

The Wolfpack hosts crosstown on Thursday against Flathead and plays at top-ranked Missoula Sentinel on Saturday.

Glacier 4 15 6 16 – 41

Big Sky 2 4 7 5 – 18

Glacier – n/a.

Big Sky – Megan Sweeney 0 1-2 1, Chelsea Todd 1 1-3 3, Kelsi McEnaney 4 0-2 8, Julia Riekena 2 0-2 4, Emma Tew 1 0-0 2. Totals: 8 2-9 18.

3-point goals – Glacier 0, Big Sky 0. Rebounds – Glacier 35, Big Sky 20 (Riekena 8). Total fouls – Glacier 11, Big Sky 12. Fouled out – none.

Columbia Falls 93, Stevensville 38

COLUMBIA FALLS — Columbia Falls continued its onslaught on Class A, scoring 65 points in the first half of a nonconference rout of Stevensville.

The Wildkats (12-1) ran out to a 30-11 advantage in the first quarter and 65-20 at half.

Columbia Falls was 12 for 18 from 3-point range in the game and shot 60 percent from the field.

Kiara Burlage had 21 points and three other Wildkats scored in double digits as every player saw the court.

Angel Richards topped Stevensville (2-10) with 21 points.

Stevensville 11 9 10 8 — 38

Columbia Falls 30 35 18 10 — 93

STEVENSVILLE — Hannah Fry 2, Megan Pendergrast 4, Angel Richards 21, Kayla Schmeideke 2, McKayla Davids 9.

COLUMBIA FALLS — Dani Douglas 16, Savvy Ellis 4, Cydney Finberg 14, Peyton Kehr 18, Riley Kehr 6, Kiara Burlage 21, Trista Cowan 4, Sydney Hovde 8, Jaylynn Medina 2.

Frenchtown 58,

Whitefish 27

WHITEFISH — Frenchtown held Whitefish to three points in the first quarter, running away early in a Northwest A blowout.

The Broncs (11-2 overall, 3-2 Northwest A) took a 16-3 lead in the first quarter, led 32-11 at half and led by 30 points after three quarters in the rout.

Liv Williams had a game-high 14 points for Frenchtown.

Diana Vasquez scored 10 points to lead Whitefish (0-13, 0-3).

Frenchtown 16 16 19 7 — 58

Whitefish 3 8 10 6 — 27

FRENCHTOWN — Meg Delaney 2, Liv Williams 14, Callie Bagnell 3, Kylie Willett 2, Sydney Channer 1, Shannon Worster 10, Emilie Hinrichs 6, Dana Jacobs 2, Alli Hochhalter 12, Carley Thompson 6.

WHITEFISH — Hope Brown 4, Libby Nagler 1, Annisa Brown 6, Diana Vasquez 10, Payton Kastella 2, Marlee Bender 4.

Ronan 50, Libby 40

LIBBY — Ronan outscored Libby 19-12 in the fourth quarter to pull out a tough nonconference victory and stay unbeaten on the season.

Libby (7-6) cut into a 13-7 first quarter deficit to trail just 21-19 at half and 31-29 after three quarters.

Ronan (14-0) pulled together late however, outscoring the Loggers down the stretch.

Lee Camel had a game-high 21 points and Alicia Camel had 13 points for Ronan.

Jayden Winslow had 16 points and Shannon Reny 10 points to power Libby.

Libby 7 11 10 12 – 40

Ronan 13 8 10 19 – 50

Libby – Abby Creighton 2, Alli Collins 2, Abby Ennenga 8, Jayden Winslow 16, Sammie Bradeen 2, Shannon Reny 10.

Ronan – Micalann McCrea 8, Louetta Conko-Camel 4, Alicia Camel 13, Hannah Moss 4, Lee Camel 21.

Bigfork 70,

Missoula Loyola 55

BIGFORK — Bigfork’s defense ratcheted up the pressure in the third quarter to pull away in a nonconference win against Loyola.

Leading by just three points at half, the Valkyries (9-5) increased their pressure in the third quarter, outscoring Loyola 20-8 in the frame to build a comfortable lead.

Jaime Berg had 22 points to lead Bigfork, who saw three other scorers hit double digits. Shae Anderson finished with 13 while Ellie Berreth and Emilee Park both totaled 11.

Sydney Koppang had 19 points for the Breakers (3-10).

Loyola 13 10 8 24 — 55

Bigfork 14 12 20 24 — 70

LOYOLA — Sam Tiede 3, Caroline Stahl 4, Sydney Koppang 19, Tessa Burke 16, Kylie Esh 12, McKenna Round 1.

BIGFORK — Shae Anderson 13, Abby Ellison 5, Reese Nissen 2, Jaime Berg 22, Ellie Berreth 11, Emilee Park 11, Rakiah Grende 6.

Troy 44, Thompson Falls 35

TROY — Troy outscored Thompson Falls 19-5 in the first quarter and held off a rally to notch a District 7B conference victory.

Alyssa Lewis had 12 points and Allie Coldwell 11 points to lead the Trojans (8-3 overall, 4-2 7B), who moved into a tie for first place in conference with Bigfork and Libby.

Haley Wilson had 10 points for Thompson Falls (3-9, 0-5).

Thompson Falls 5 14 6 10 – 35

Troy 19 3 9 13 – 44

Thompson Falls – Belle Cooper 4, Gillian Nelson 9, Haley Wilson 10, Haley Morgan 8, Ember Schwindt 4.

Troy – Aurora Becquart 7, Allie Coldwell 11, Olivia Roach 2, Katelyn Downey 9, Allie Brown 3, Alyssa Lewis 12.

Eureka 56, St. Ignatius 42

ST. IGNATIUS —Eureka opened the game on a 15-8 run and closed it on an 18-7 spurt to top St. Ignatius in a nonconference contest.

Sienna Utter had 27 points to lead the Lions (8-5) and Ashlyn Waldo chipped in 13.

Three players scored eight points to lead St. Ignatius (0-11).

Eureka 15 17 16 18 – 56

St. Ignatius 8 14 13 7 – 42

Eureka – Avory Escobar 1, Sienna Utter 27, Liz Pacella 4, Maggie Graves 8, Ashlyn Waldo 13, Stacy Cooper 3.

St. Ignatius – Karolyna Buck 8, Briar McCrea 2, Afton Brander 6, Nalani Linsbigler 6, Randee Charlo 4, Leila Marsh 8, Addison Arlint 8.

Stillwater Christian 44, Bonners Ferry, Idaho 20

Stillwater dominated the first half in a nonconference victory over Bonners Ferry.

The Cougars led 18-5 after the first quarter and 31-9 at halftime in the blowout.

Dori Smith had 18 points and 12 rebounds for Stillwater (7-7).

Bonners Ferry 5 4 4 7 — 20

Stillwater Cn 18 13 7 6 — 44

BONNERS FERRY — Baylee Blackmore 6, Lelani Ram 2, Marcy Liermann 2, Tar Burt 3, Emily Blackmore 3, Serenity Faybee 2.

STILLWATER CHRISTIAN — Cora Boll 2 ,Rame Metzger 2, Adrianna Lambert 6, Dori Smith 18, Alicia Warricks 3, Helen Hashley 8, Lulu Neumann 4.