The loser out game Friday afternoon in Butte at the State A boys tournament saw one of the best comebacks a team has made in a long time. Stevensville and Browning matched up on the court at the Civic Center but it was Browning who prevailed in the end, winning 80-73.
The Stevensville Yellowjackets were up against the running Indians of Browning. After scoring three points early in the first quarter, the ‘Jackets went
cold and Browning didn’t. By the end of the first quarter, Stevensville was down, 27-8.
“They got on a roll there,” said Stevensville coach Keith Chambers. “But we knew we weren’t going to see a whole lot of patience on offence with them.”
So Stevensville changed up their defense and forced the running offense of Browning to slow down. And they kicked up their own offense. Jesse Sims hit three free throws within a minute to add points. Josh Schultz then got hot and hit two treys and a field goal to pull the ‘Jackets within 10 points. Another trey by Schultz put the gap under 10 points. By the end of the second quarter, Stevensville had scored 26 points and trailed by only two points while holding Browning to only 11.
“The character they showed while getting back into the game was one of the more inspiring efforts I’ve seen,” said Chambers. “Hopefully, that’s what sports will teach you, to never give up.”
Although Browning led most of the third quarter, Stevensville did take the lead late in that period. Zach Gavlak tied the game and then Josh Schultz gave Stevensville the go ahead bucket. Browning was rattled by then and quickly had two turnovers. Jared Schultz hit a trey from four feet behind the three-point line and Stevensville was up by six at the buzzer.
It looked as if Stevensville might pull notch a win but poor foul shooting put Browning back in the driver’s seat. Browning went on to win, 80-73.
Browning 80, Stevensville 73
Browning – Jonathan Hall 7, Gary Monroe 15, Cliff Ollinger 8, Josiah Davis 10, Dee Jay Lazy Boy 24, Jonathan Skunkcap 4, Jaron Calf Robe 3, , Daniel Hall 9.
Stevensville – Zach Gavlak 18, Jesse Sims 15, Jared Schultz 8, Josh Schultz 25, Tyler Gavlak 5, Austin Lords 2.
Stevensville opened against Columbia Falls on Thursday. The ‘Jackets took a three point lead into the second quarter but couldn’t maintain the lead and fell, 53-36.
“I thought the boys represented Stevensville and the Southwest A well,” he concluded.
Coach Chambers said the game difference was only three points with five minutes to go but missed three pointers by Stevi gave the Wildcats the edge and the win. Columbia Falls lost to Dillon in the championship game.
Columbia Falls 53, Stevensville 36
Stevensville – Zach Gavlak 6, Jesse Sims 7, Jared Schultz 1, Josh Schultz 12, Tyler Gavlak 5, Josh Lords 2, Austin Kelling 3
Columbia Falls – Anthony Correa 8, Brian Marcille 3, Austin Barth 13, Parker Johnson 1-4 3-6 6, Alex Presnell 6, Luke Kazlauskas 13, Jared Trinastich 4.