The Stevensville girls basketball team narrowly escaped being upended on Friday against the Frenchtown Broncs who made an appearance at state last year as the No. 1 team from the Northwest A. With starter Kyla Paulson recovering from surgery after volleyball, the Lady Yellowjackets were a bit tentative and not as aggressive as they have been. After leading by three at the end of the first half, Stevensville saw the lead slip away.
With just over a minute remaining in the game, Bailey Vercruyssen drove to the basket and sunk the lay up and the free throw to pull the Lady ‘Jackets within two points. The Stevensville defense stopped Frenchtown and got the ball back. Alycia Sims was fouled and went to the line to shoot two free throws. After sinking the first shot, the second ball rolled off the all-stater’s fingers and never hit the rim. A jump ball call gave the ball back to Stevensville. Sims was fouled again and this time she sank both shots and gave the win to the Lady ‘Jackets. Stevensville 40, Frenchtown 39. Sims finished with 18 points.
Stevensville 40, Frenchtown 39
Stevensville – Bailey Vercruyssen 6, Carly Vercruyssen 10, Carly Sebastian 1, Alycia Sims 18, Kayla Peterson 5.
Frenchtown – Indreland 9, Stavish 9, Blood 11, Jacobs 4, Berg 4, Cyr 1, Wickman 1.
Stevensville took on Libby in their second game of the weekend. After leading by only two points at the end of the first quarter, the Yellowjackets poured in 18 points while holding Libby to only three in the second quarter. They went on to win, 48-27. Sims had 18 points for Stevi.
Stevensville 48, Libby 27
Stevensville – B. Vercruyssen 8, C. Vercruyssen 2, Sebastian 9, Sims 18, Courtney Tvedt 4, Peterson 5, Madison Boesch 2.
Libby – England 10, Craig 7, Moe 6, Germany 2, Gallagher 2
Hamilton notched a couple of wins also at the tournament. They defeated one of the top Class B teams in the state, Bigfork, 53-31, on Friday. The Lady Broncs led throughout the game and used a balanced scoring attack to secure the win. Taylor Goligoski dropped in 15 points, while Sami Kratofil added 12 and Jaylee Albert had 11 points.
Hamilton 53, Bigfork 31.
Bigfork – Cordette 3, Scoggins 10, Spoklie 3, Robertson 11, McAnally 4.
Hamilton – Taylor Goligoski 15, Kali Hayes 5, Jaylee Albert 11, Bri Huggans 2, Sami Kratofil 12, McKayl Rothie 6, Kloie Nye 2.
Hamilton clobbered Whitefish, 58-17, on Saturday. Goligoski scored 22 points and kali Hayes added 13 in a game that saw eight Hamilton players score.
Hamilton 58, Whitefish 17.
Hamilton– Rothie 6, Goligoski 22, Hayes 13, Hurlbert 3, Carlie Jessop 3, Albert 3, Mohn 4, Sami Kratofil 4.
Whitefish – Roe 1, Brewer 5, Baldonardo 2, S. Craft 7, Sh. Craft 2.
Corvallis notched their first win of the season with a one point win over Libby on Friday behind the play of senior Lakyn Connors who scored 16 points. Corvallis won, 28-27.
Corvallis 28, Libby 27.
Corvallis – Lakyn Connors 16, Jordan Miller 6, Carlie Jessop 2, Jessica Moore 4.
Libby – England 7, Craig 6, Moe 4, Germany 4, Quinn 2, Gallagher 4.
Although the Blue Devils put up a valiant effort against the Columbia Fall WildKats in the second half, they were unable to overcome the 19-point deficit of the first half and fell, 57-35. Connors led her team with 13 points.
Columbia Falls 57, Corvallis 35.
Columbia Falls – Presnell 2, Finberg 11, Livingston 4, Price 2, Burlage 11, Kampainnen 6, Belgarde 19, Hay 2.
Corvallis – Amanda Luhman 1, Moore 6, Connors 13, Bream Luedecke 2, Courtney Albright 2, Miller 7, Jessop 4.