The Stevensville Yellowjackets continued to build their winning streak this past week, topping valley rival Hamilton on Thursday and then defeating Frenchtown in a non conference game on Friday. With the wins, their record now stands at 9-0.
Hamilton jumped out to an early lead when Brad Palin hit two treys to give the Broncs the lead. However patient play by Stevensville and strong rebounding put the ‘Jackets in the lead. Hamilton kept right at the Yellowjackets throughout the first half and only led by six points at the end of the first half. But Stevensville made some offensive adjustments and went on to win, 70-51.
“I thought we were able to frustrate them a bit,” said Hamilton’s coach, Toby Stack. “They’re loaded, from the top all the way down. I thought we were able to take a stand, defensively, especially in the first half.”
Stack said his team is probably the smallest team in what is probably the toughest conference in the state. He said his team will have to make up the lack of size with extra energy and heart. Brad Palin has been scoring leader for the Broncs, averaging 20 plus points a game. He dropped in 26 points on Thursday night.
“The Palin boy is going to attract a lot of attention,” said Stack. “He understands that and that he is going to have to pass it. He’s a good shooter but when you get double and triple teamed, he’s going to have to give it up to that open man and he did a good job of that tonight.”
Coach Keith Chambers of Stevensville said he was glad to see a different defense from Hamilton. “I’m glad to see them play some different stuff so we’re prepared for it down the road. We adjusted well.”
Chambers was pleased with his team’s offensive rebounding but said there is always room for improvement. “Give Hamilton credit, they played hard. I’m just happy we got a good team victory,” he concluded.
Stevensville 70, Hamilton 51
Hamilton – Brad Palin 26, Eli Rogers 10, Seth Mason 2, Josh Bauder 4, Jesse Bartels 2, Reese Isherwood 7.
Stevensville – Jared Schultz 14, Jesse Sims 14, Josh Schultz 10, Tyler Gavlak 6, Zach Gavlak 16, Justin Lords 6, Austin Kelling 2, Kadin Beller 2.
Although Frenchtown made a run at the No. 1 ranked Stevensville Yellowjackets in the second quarter, the ‘Jackets came back to play tough defense and made a 23-8 run in the third quarter to power themselves to a 63-45 win. Stevensville held Frenchtown to only 16 points in the second half. Freshman Jesse Sims had 19 points to lead the Yellowjackets.
Stevensville 63, Frenchtown 45
Frenchtown – Chapman 19, Lebsock 4, Lebsock 7, Blank 9, Mahlum 2, Anderson 4.
Stevensville – Ja. Schultz 10, Z. Gavlak 11, Sims 19, Jo. Schultz 9, Kelling 12, T. Gavlak 2.
Hamilton traveled to Dillon for a Southwest A match on Saturday. The Beavers held Hamilton to only 12 points in the first half and went on to win, 67-30. Eli Rogers had eight points for the Broncs.
Dillon 67, Hamilton 30
Hamilton- Palin 6, Rogers 8, Isherwood 6, Bartels 2, Mason 4, Bauder 4.
Dillon – Williams 2, Linder 13, Folsom 6, Reed 14, Schurg 4, Southam 2, Knox 14, Scott 2, Gillis 10.
Corvallis had a couple of tough opponents and came away with a non-conference and a conference win. The Blue Devils took on Polson on Friday and then were hosts to Butte Central on Saturday.
Colby Henderson stepped up for the Devils against the Polson Pirates. He scored 20 points to lead the Blue Devils to a 60-43 win. Chase Walker added 12 and Beau Maus had 11.
Corvallis 60, Polson 43
Corvallis – Stuart Landis 2, Colby Henderson 20, Jansen Jessop 5, Beau Maus 11, Riley Bradshaw 10, Chase Walker 12.
Polson – Krell 14, DiGiallonardo 2, Davey 4, Laimbeer 7, Camel 7, Fischer 7, Sampson 2.
Riley Bradshaw broke lose for 34 points and led the Blue Devils to a 56-50 victory over Southwest A foe Butte Central on Saturday. After battling to a 15-all tie at the end of the first quarter and then being held to only three points in the second quarter, Corvallis rallied for 21 points in the third quarter to get back in the game.
Corvallis 56, Butte Central 50
Butte Central – McCarthy 20, Hollow 18, Volstad 2, Guldseth 2, Kasperich 4, Tippett 4.
Corvallis – Brandon Butt 2, Landis 3, Henderson 8, Jessop 8, Maus 4, Bradshaw 24, Walker 7.
The Florence Falcons edged out Loyola, 59-55, to take command of District 6B on Thursday night. The two teams, which have a healthy rivalry, were close throughout the game. Florence pulled ahead for good when Aaron Ward and Riley Philips sank their free throws and Ryne Baerlocher converted two Ram turnovers to points. Baerlocher finished with 21 points including two treys. Warn had 14 points and Chantz Hotsinpiller had 10.
Florence 59, Loyola 55
Florence – Riley Phillips 1, Ryne Baerlocher 21, Mike Finlay 7, Aaron ward 14, Chantz Hotsinpiller 10, Sage Hansen 4, Bradley Schaff 2.
Loyola – Cooper 12, Janssen 14, Anderson 10, Sopko 6, Gilligan 7, McHugh 4, Jensen 2.
Florence lost a close game to Bigfork, 44-41, on Saturday. Florence spotted the Vikings six points in the first quarter and was unable to make that up throughout the game. Aaron Ward finished with 10 points to lead the Falcons.
Bigfork 44, Florence 41
Bigfork – Jordt 6, Lorang 5, Landon 15, Dopps 10, Coleman 6, Hayes 2.
Florence – Ry. Baerlocher 7, Hotsinpiller 5, Finlay 6, Ward 10, Hansen 8, Schaff 3, Rhett Baerlocher 2.
Darby won both their games over the weekend. The Tigers defeated the Alberton Panthers, 42-39 in a close 13C conference game. Garrett McCormack and Jeremy Campbell each had 11 points for Darby. The Tigers topped Seeley-Swan, 52-46, in overtime on Saturday. Jeremy Campbell had 21 points for Darby and Joe Caicedo dropped in four points in the overtime period to help the team to the victory.
Victor cruised to a couple of conference wins over the weekend, topping Seeley-Swan, 60-40, at home and then traveling to Philipsburg and topping the Prospectors, 64-38, on Saturday. Kyle Ball had the hot hand in both games. He scored 25 points against the Blackhawks on Friday against Seeley. Randy Miller added 12 points. Saturday, Ball had a career high 39 points. Derrick Cavill added six points in the conference win.