The Tip Off Tournament offers teams from the Northwestern A and Southwestern A a chance to see teams they no longer play during conference play. The tournament is held in Hamilton every other year and up north on the off years. This year, the tournament was in Hamilton.
The Stevensville Yellowjackets began their season with a strong showing at the Tip Off Tournament in Hamilton over the weekend. The young but experienced Yellowjacket team relied on a strong second quarter in their game against the Frenchtown Broncs on Friday and went on to win, 84-60. Zach Gavlak led the ‘Jackets with 24 points and Jared Schultz and Jesse Sims each finished with 12 points.
Stevensville 84, Frenchtown 60.
Stevensville – Jace Omlid 2, Trevor Zeiler 5, Christopher Bergman 5, Austin Lords 7, Kadin Beller 8, Chance Coleman 9, Zach Gavlak 24, Jesse Sims 12, Jared Schultz 12.
Frenchtown – Chapman 19, Shepard 2, Lebsock 8, Honken 2, Truett 7, Cyr 11, Price 11.
Stevensville’s second opponent from the Northwestern A conference was Libby. The Yellowjackets held the Loggers to just 16 points in the final half of the game and won, 64-34. Gavlak finished with 17 points to lead the team.
Stevensville 64, Libby 34
Stevensville – Jace Omlid 5, Trevor Zeiler 2, Christopher Bergman 3, Austin Lords 7, Noah Baney 3, Kadin Beller 4, Chance Coleman 2, Zach Gavlak 17, Jesse Sims 12, Jared Schultz 9.
Libby – Johnson 1, Leggins 6, Reichel 2, Winslow 18, Lapka 3, Nelson 4.
Corvallis also got the best of Libby at the tournament. The Blue Devils held Libby scoreless in the first quarter and went on to win, 36-32. Chase Walker had 11 points to lead Corvallis.
Corvallis 36, Libby 32
Corvallis – Alma Powell 9, Blake Sylvester 2, Jayce Gilder 2, Chaney Waldo 7, Jansen Jessop 5, Chase Walker 11.
Libby – Winslow 20, Lapka 1, Nelson 5, Johnson 6.
Corvallis took on the Class A state runner up, Columbia Falls, on Saturday. The game was close for three quarters before the Wildcats pulled away for the 56-44 win. Jansen Jessop had 12 points to pace the Blue Devils.
Columbia Falls 56, Corvallis 44.
Columbia Falls – Presnell 12, King 1, Kazlauskas 25, Morgan 7, Gedlaman 2, Trinastich 9.
Corvallis – Brady Tuttle 2, Powell 5, Sylvester 2, Jayce Gilder 3, Waldo 8, Jessop 12, Walker 6, Andrew Leopold 6.
Hamilton’s first opponent was former Northwestern A conference member Bigfork. The Vikings are now Class B but still remain very competitive. They defeated Hamilton, 72-41. Kameron Kohn led the Broncs with nine points.
Bigfork 72, Hamilton 41
Bigfork – Jordt 16, Roesmann 13, Trent 14, Landon 9, Sandry 4, Lamm 1, Nissen 3, Kirby 4, Evans 8.
Hamilton – Devon Bartle 6, Ty Burt 3, Teague Blome 2, Jesse Bartels 6, Josh Bauder 8, Kameron Kohn 9, John Ryter 7.
Hamilton’s opponent on Saturday was the Whitefish Bulldogs. After a slow beginning, the Broncs rallied but couldn’t catch Whitefish. They lost, 36-33. Josh Bauder had eight points for the Broncs.
Whitefish 36, Hamilton 33.
Whitefish – Nicholson 8, Harwood 10, Kalbfleisch 9, Doorn 2, Olson 3, Ramlow 1, May 3.
Hamilton – Bauder 8, Ryter 3, Isherwood 7, Jesse Bartels 6, Josh Heath 2, Kohn 7.