Fast start lifts Hardin over C-Falls at Class A state hoops
GREAT FALLS — Hardin rode a fast start to a decisive 60-34 victory over Columbia Falls in first-round play at the Class A state girls basketball tournament on Thursday evening at Four Seasons Arena.
Hardin rattled the nets for 21 points in the first quarter to lead by 10 and went into the locker room at the half in front 34-21. The Bulldogs outscored the defending state champions 26-13 in the second half.
Aiyanna Ereaux led Hardin, and all scorers, with 14 points. Karissa DuShane added 13 for the victors.
Hannah Schweikert topped Columbia Falls with seven points. She also had a team high seven rebounds.
Columbia Falls struggled on the offensive side, shooting 30 percent for the game. The Wildkats were 12 of 40 from the field.
Columbia Falls had a horrible outing at the free-throw line, making just eight of 22 attempts.
Hardin shot 40 percent, hitting 22 of 55 field goals, and was 11 of 17 at the charity stripe.
Hardin held a slight edge on the boards, 35-32, and had four fewer turnovers than Columbia Falls’ 14.
Columbia Falls drops into loser-out action today at 2 p.m. versus Glendive. Hardin has a semifinal outing at 8 p.m. with Butte Central.
Columbia Falls 11 10 6 7 — 34
Hardin 21 13 10 16 — 60
COLUMBIA FALLS — Dani Douglas 5, Lakiah Hill 5, Hannah Gedlaman 4, Josie Windauer 4, Hannah Schweikert 7, Ryley Kehr 4, Trista Cowan 5.
HARDIN — Ivery Fitzler 3, Sharmayne Hardy 4, Karissa DuShane 13, Mashaya Alden 4, Aiyanna Ereaux 14, Cailei Cummins 2, Bergan Realbird 6, Arena Plenty 6, Marie Five 8.
Glendive 9 7 7 5 — 28
Butte Central 10 6 16 11 — 43
GLENDIVE — Bailey Percy 6, Kasidi Walker 2, Thea Robson 6, Karsen Murphy 8, Savanna Toms 6.
BUTTE CENTRAL — Kloie Thatcher 15, Olivia Bolton 9, Cassidy Strizic 4, Megan Michelotti 12, Kailee Murphy 3.
Hamilton 13 13 13 0 — 39
Havre 18 11 11 3 — 43
HAMILTON — Tessa Della Silva 7,Tristan Searle 1, Kara Nye 5, Mallory McGill 5, Cariann Kunkel 9, Lauren Ryter 12.
HAVRE — Kyndall Keller 14, Kylie Walker 3, Kylee Nystrom 2, Kadia Miller 7, Marca Herron 5, Danielle Wallace 4, Kyley Verploegen 8.
Belgrade 16 11 15 9 — 51
Browning 17 21 9 16 — 63
BROWNING — Lacie Goss 2, Olivia Hall 14, Taylor Jordan 10, Ronnal Jordan 22, Dulci Skunkcap 6, Tamika Guardipee 9.
BELGRADE — Alexa Deming 4, Kiah Hohenstein 19, Gabby Weber 16, Bailey Christensen 2, Meaghan McGinely 1, Hannah Gee 3, McKenna Carlson 2, Jaiden Blakely 2.
Today’s Schedule
Semifinals
6:30 p.m. — Havre vs. Browning
8 p.m. — Hardin vs. Butte Central
Loser-Out Games
12:30 p.m. — Hamilton vs. Belgrade
2 p.m. — Columbia Falls vs. Glendive