If the game against Anaconda is any gauge, the Stevensville Yellowjackets will be tough to stop this season. With a balanced group that goes deep onto the bench, the Yellowjackets bring speed, height, strength and the ability to score from inside the paint to outside the three-point line.
The ‘Jackets have only three seniors on their team: Kadin Beller, Austin Lords and Canyon Miwa-Vogan. Beller is a starter who plays well under the basket and can hit from long-range. Lords and Miwa-Vogan step in for speed and strength. Jared Schultz, a junior, is the floor marshal, running plays and creating scoring opportunities for himself and others. Zach Gavlak is playing very strongly under the basket and has developed his inside shooting this season. Jesse Sims is a 6’4” sophomore who is bull-strong and can shoot and rebound well. Chris Lords has stepped up as a starter on the wing position and is getting comfortable at that spot. With underclassmen such as Christopher Bergman, Noah Baney, Chance Coleman, Jace Omlid, Trevor Zeiler, Bo Zeiler, Dylan Gavlak and Bryce Torey sitting on the bench, the team has many opportunities awaiting them this season.
Stevensville held Anaconda to only four points in the first quarter and 12 in the first half as they rolled over the Copperheads, 70-38. The entire bench got to play for Stevensville, giving the young players some varsity time. Beller led the scoring with 15 points. Sims and Schultz each had 11 and Chance Coleman added 10.
Stevensville 70, Anaconda 38.
Anaconda – Kelley Krumm 5, Cody Forkan 5, Dennis Stanberry 5, Cory Stanberry 6, Jade Green 4, Jackson Wagner 5, Caleb Stetzner 2, Brandon Fode 5.
Stevensville – Jace Omlid 2, Chris Lords 4, Austin Lords 11, Kadin Beller 15, Chance Coleman 10, Zach Gavlak 6, Jesse Sims 11, Jared Schultz 11.
Stevensville defeated Missoula Sentinel, 69-33, earlier in the week. The ‘Jackets opened up the game in the second quarter when they scored 20 points while holding the Spartans to only seven. Zach Gavlak had 21 points to lead the Yellowjackets.
Stevensville 69, Missoula Sentinel 33
Sentinel – Austin Violette 5, Tres Cunningham 5, Trevor Powell 19, Matt Warren 4. Totals 12 5-10 33.
Stevensville – Austin Lords 6, Kadin Beller 8, Zach Gavlak 21, Jesse Sims 5, Jared Schultz 12, Chris Lords 7, Chance Coleman 10.
Florence picked up two wins before the Christmas break. They topped St. Ignatius in conference play on Thursday in St. Ignatius. After trailing at the end of the first quarter, the Falcons went on to win, 77-64. Ryno Baerlocher had 18 points for the Falcons.
Florence 77, St. Ignatius 64
Florence– Ryno Baerlocher 18, Rhett Baerlocher 7, Ryan Magnum 5, Chantz Hotsinpiller 6, Mike Finlay 13, Bradley Schaff 7, Aaron Ward 21.
St. Ignatius – Jarred Brown 10, Paden Alexander 14, Dylan Evans 11, Stuart Grant 15, Nikko Alexander 12, Will Powell 2.
Florence took on Hamilton in non-conference play on Friday. After a close first quarter, Florence pulled ahead to take the 65-49 win. Aaron Ward had 15 points for Florence while Ryno Baerlocher added 12 and Rhett Baerlocher added 11. Hamilton’s Kameron Kohn had 11 points to lead the Broncs.
Florence 65, Hamilton 49
Hamilton – Josh Heath 4, Ty Burt 2, Teague Blome 8, Jesse Bartels 6, Kameron Kohn 11, John Ryter 10, Reese Isherwood 8.
Florence – Ryno Baerlocher 12, Rhett Baerlocher 11, Ryan Mangun 5, Chantz Hotsinpiller 7, Mike Finlay 10, Bradley Schaff 4, Aaron Ward 15, Travern Smith 1.
Darby defeated Valley Christian, 55-43, in 13C action. The Tigers jumped out to an early lead and never looked back in the win. Tyler Morris had 13 points while Wyatt Doyle and Ryan McCrossin added 11 and 10 points respectively.
Darby 55, Valley Christian 43
Darby – Ryan McCrossin 10, Tyler Morris 13, Wyatt Doyle 11, Garrett McCormick 9, Mitch Wolf 2, Joe Caicedo 4, Storm Wanstrath 6.
Valley Christian – Isaiah Bohlken 12, Tyler Moulding 18, Chris Love 2, Matthew Burks 4, Christian Kienele 3, Elijah Redfern 4.