Those basketball fans who came late to the Corvallis gym Thursday night were greeted with the news there was no more room and missed one of the best basketball games of the season. In front of a standing room only, loud crowd, the game between the Stevensville and Corvallis boys, had more of a feel of a tournament game than one of the first conference games of the season. Corvallis trailed by 11 points at the end of three quarters but rallied to tie the game at 50 at the end of regulation. The two teams traded baskets in the overtime period with Stevensville sinking the last basket to win, 59-57.
“I didn’t draw that one up,” said a jubilant Keith Chambers, the Yellowjacket’s coach. “I can take credit for a lot of things, but that isn’t one of them. We just happened to be ahead when the clock ran out”
Offensive rebounding was the key to the overtime win for the ‘Jackets. Austin Kelling sank the last bucket on Stevensville’s third attempt after he and teammate Jesse Sims each missed a shot as the seconds ticked off the clock.
“We just got killed on the offensive boards, that’s how we lost,” said Corvallis coach Dave Bradshaw. “But you see things and you practice and you get better.”
Corvallis had a two point lead at the end of the first quarter but Riley Bradshaw and Beau Maus had each picked up a couple of fouls and had to sit. However Stevensville also had a couple of players in foul trouble. By the end of the first half, Stevensville had a six-point lead. As the clock ticked down, Corvallis made a run after an intentional foul was called on one of their players. Jansen Jessop popped in a short jumper for his only two points of the game and the Blue Devils had tied the game. Kelling and freshman Sims scored all of the points in the overtime period for the Yellowjackets while Riley Bradshaw scored seven of his 36 points in the overtime period.
“We missed quite a few opportunities and have a lot of film fodder. It was a good practice game in a tournament type atmosphere, that’s what we’re building towards at the end of the season,” said Chambers. “It’s been a while since we’ve beat this outfit.”
Stevensville 59, Corvallis 57 OT
Stevensville – Jared Schultz 11, Austin Kelling 9, Austin Lords 2, Zach Gavlak 9, Jesse Sims 13, Josh Schultz 11, Tyler Gavlak 4.
Corvallis – Colby Henderson 13, Jansen Jessop 2, Beau Maus 6, Riley Bradshaw 36.
The weekend didn’t get any easier for Stevensville. They were hosts to the always tough Dillon Beavers on Saturday. The Yellowjackets came from four points down at the half to win, 52-47, and take sole possession of the top slot in the Southwest A conference. Josh Schultz had 13 points and Sims added 11 for Stevi.
Stevensville 52, Dillon 47
Dillon – Williams 2, Linder 15, Folsom 5, Reed 6, Knox 9, Schurg 2, Scott 6, Gillis 2.
Stevensville – Jared Schultz 8, Zach Gavlak 8, Jesse Sims 11, Josh Schultz 13, Tyler Gavlak 8, Kadin Beller 2.
Corvallis came back on Saturday to soundly defeat Anaconda, 74-47. The Blue Devils controlled the game from the beginning. Maus finished with 18 points and Riley Bradshaw had 25. Colby Henderson finished with 11 points after dropping 12 in against Stevensville.
Corvallis 74, Anaconda 47
Corvallis – Stuart Landis 2, Colby Henderson 11, Beau Maus 18, Riley Bradshaw 25, Chase Walker 7, Tanner Palin 3, Emmett Stoker 2, Brandon Butt 4, Jansen Jessop 2.
Anaconda – Barclay 5, Green 8, Wagner 7, Orrino 4, Allick 4, Stanberry 7, Mathias 12.
Florence picked up a non-conference win over Frenchtown and a conference win over Deer Lodge. With only one senior on the team, the Falcons are a team young in years but very confident and experience. They had to relay on that confidence against Deer Lodge.
Although Deer Lodge led the majority of the game, the margin was never more than four or five points. Florence took the lead with about five and a half minutes remaining in the game when Mike Finlay hit the front end of two free throws. Aaron Ward hit a couple of free throws to give Florence a little edge and more importantly, enough confidence to hold on for the 53-48 victory.
“They work really hard,” said coach Sam Baerlocher. “We’ve just got to quit getting into foul trouble. Deer Lodge is very physical and smart. When you shoot 14 of 25 free throws, it just doesn’t cut it.”
Deer Lodge never missed a free throw in the fourth quarter but the young Falcons held on. Ryne Baerlocher had 20 points and Ward added 17.
Florence 53, Deer Lodge 48
Deer Lodge – Clark 2, Crowe 1, Doiron 2, Stone 10, Ward 6, Vasquez 14, Benjamin 5, Hunter 8.
Florence – Ryne Baerlocher 20, Chantz Hotsinpiller 1, Rhett Baerlocher 7, Riley Phillips 3, Mike Finlay 3, Aaron Ward 17, Sage Hansen 2.
Florence earned a non-conference win over Frenchtown with a 58-45 victory. The Falcons poured in 22 points in the second quarter to give themselves some breathing room. They held off a late surge by the Broncs in the fourth quarter. Aaron Ward finished with 15 points. Ryne Baerlocher added 13 and Mike Finlay had 10 points in the game.
Florence 58, Frenchtown 45
Florence – Hansen 9, Ry. Baerlocher 13, Hotsinpiller 2, Ward 15, Phillips 5, Schaff 4, Finlay 10.
Frenchtown – John Chapman 10, Dan Lebsock 2, Mark Lebsock 6, Ryan Anderson 7, Kyle Cyr 5, Matt Price 2, Brydon Peacock 9, Austin Blank 4.
Hamilton split their games over the weekend. They lost a non-conference game to Hellgate, 65-49. Brad Palin had 17 points including three treys and Eli Rogers added 10 in the game. Saturday, the Broncs defeated Anaconda, 71-48. Palin poured in 28 points and Josh Bartels added 10.
Victor picked up a couple of 13C wins. The Pirates defeated Alberton, 55-44, in Alberton on Friday. Kyle Ball had 32 points in the win. Saturday, the Pirates defeated Valley Christian, 53-27. Ball again had the hot hand, dropping in 21 points. Corey Deering added 12 points and Matt Kittel added 11 more.
The Darby Tigers split their games over the weekend. Darby lost to Drummond, 66-43. Jeremy Campbell had 13 points and Devin Thomas added 10 in the loss. The Tigers topped St. Regis, 51-6, in Saturday. Campbell had 18; Thomas 13 and Wyatt Doyle had seven in the win.