Yellowjackets drop Big Sky, fall to Butte Central
Until Saturday, the only game that Stevensville had lost was against Class AA Missoula Big Sky so when the Eagles came to town, Stevensville had a little bit of something to prove. The Yellowjackets came out strong and played tough in a very physical game and came away the victor, topping Big Sky, 62-50.
By the end of the first quarter, Stevensville had a six-point lead but 10 fouls had already been called on the two teams. The ‘Jackets struggled at the free throw line in the game, hitting only 21 of 39 shots.
“We just didn’t hit the free throws,” said Stevensville coach Keith Chambers. “We have to learn to play like we’re ahead instead of behind. But those are some nice learning experiences that we can take from this.”
Although Stevensville led throughout the game, Big Sky made several runs at the lead. Their inside players were hard to move for the rebounds but Jesse Sims, who finished with 20 points, and Zach Gavlak pulled down several key rebounds.
Chambers said Chris Lords came in off the bench and had a good game, picking up five points in the process.
Stevensville 62, Big Sky 50
Big Sky – Owens 3, R.J. Ravalli 3, O. Donaldson 2, E. Donaldson 6, Preston 8, Thornock 2, Bingham 6, Baker 13, Koster 2, Mustard 5.
Stevensville – Chris Lords 5, Austin Lords 11, Kadin Beller 2, Zach Gavlak 12, Jesse Sims 20, Jared Schultz 12.
Stevensville made the trip to Butte Central on Saturday for a conference game against the Maroons. The ‘Jackets came out and scored 17 points in the first quarter but the Maroons came back time and time again to rattle Stevensville. By the end of regulation play, the game was tied at 42 all. Butte Central outscored the ‘Jackets in overtime to win, 51-47.
Butte Central 51, Stevensville 47 OT
Stevensville – C. Lords 2, A. Lords 15, Gavlak 5, Sims 8, Schultz 17.
Butte Central – Guldseth 2, Peoples 3, Trippett 23, Sessions 10, Ferriter 3, Bolstad 10.
Corvallis lost to Missoula Sentinel, 56-40, in non-conference action on Thursday. Chase Walker paced the Blue Devils with 12 points and seven rebounds.
While the boys were in Butte, the Butte Central girls’ team was in Stevensville taking on the Lady Yellowjackets. The game was very physical with both sides drawing fouls. Butte Central won, 41-29.
Stevensville was able to run the ball in the first half of the first quarter before Butte Central put a full court press on. Although Stevensville kept with a few points, the press kept them from getting into any sort of offensive rhythm. Stevensville’s defense was key to keeping the Maroons from running away with the game. Stevensville trailed by only seven points at the end of the first half. Stevensville was within striking distance until Alycia Sims, who finished with 11 points, fouled out with four minutes remaining in the game. Carly Vercruyssen also fouled out.
Butte Central 41, Stevensville 29
Butte Central – Leary 12, Cooney 9, Neumann 8, Pica 8, Stajcar 4.
Stevensville – Alycia Sims 11, Carly Vercruyssen 5, Bailey Vercruyssen 2, Carly Sebastian 3, Kyla Paulsen 3, Kayla Peterson 5.
Stevensville fell to Big Sky, 36-34, on a last second shot on Friday. The game was tied with time running out when Big Sky’s Sami Worster hit a basket to give the win to the Missoula school. Stevensville had a six point lead going into the fourth quarter. Sims finished with 24 points.
Big Sky 36, Stevensville 34
Stevensville – Sims 24, Paulsen 9, Peterson 1.
Big Sky – Shaide 4, Joyce 2, Donnely 5, Davis 11, Freeman 2, Schafer 2, Worster 10.