By Jean Schurman
A Florence/Loyola basketball game is always exciting and the match on Thursday night was no exception. The young Florence team, there are only three seniors, went into the conference game with one loss. Loyola was undefeated in conference play and Florence only had one loss.
Loyola came out playing tough defense and pressed the Falcons early one. But the pressure didn’t phase Florence. They applied a bit of pressure themselves and after spotting Loyola three baskets, Levi Clagett sank a trey to spark Florence. Jake Kelling followed up with a bucket and the Falcons had the lead. Loyola’s Lochlin Ermatinger tied the game at the end of the first period.
This was a typical game between two very intense teams with one team taking the lead and then the other. Midway through the second quarter, Brandon Johnson, and Travern Smith each scored to put the Falcons up by four. Clagett sank a couple of free throws and then Kelling hit anther to put the Falcons up by eight points. But the Rams didn’t give up and were only down by one point at the end of the half.
“We knew were going to have to grind it out,” said Florence coach Boone Nelson. “We wanted to slow it down a little and keep Loyola from getting into their offense.”
Loyola jumped out to a three-point lead in the beginning of the third quarter and then extended it. But the Falcons didn’t let up or give up. By the end of the third quarter, the Falcons were up by seven points. Florence continued to play tough ball and went on to win, 64-54. Clagett finished with 19 points and Smith had 18 points. Jesse Grabowska came off the bench for 11 more points.
Florence 64, Loyola 54
Loyola – Tommy Tirrell 4, Braden Burke 8, Parker Davis 5, Stephen Sellman 6, Michael VanCanagan 5, Danner Linhart 15, Lochlin Ermatinger 6, Sam Johnston 5.
Florence – Brandon Johnson 4, Jake Kelling 7, Levi Clagett 19, Travern Smith 18, Jake Christopherson 3, Jesse Grabowska 11, Dan Mickelson 2.
Nelson said his team is very dedicated and works hard in practice. “They have had success and that has built up their confidence.”
Nelson went on to say he feels the tough schedule his team plays has helped them develop. Beginning in December at the tip off tournament in Manhattan, the team played Choteau and Columbus, two teams that have made numerous trips to the state tournament. This weekend Florence took on not only their archrival Loyola but also the defending state champion, Bigfork.
Florence jumped out to an early lead in their game against Bigfork and held a four-point lead at the half. But the Vikings came back in the fourth quarter to take the lead and the win, 64-55. Smith finished with 23 points to lead the Falcons. Florence dropped to 7-3 overall and are 3-1 in conference play.
Bigfork 64, Florence 55
Florence – Brandon Johnson 9, Jake Kelling 2, Levi Clagett 13, Travern Smith 23, Jake Christopherson 8.
Bigfork – Adam Jordt 10, Isaac Martel 19, Tyler Piazzola 2, Jonathan Landon 7, Josh Sandry 17, Ryder Trent 9.
Bigfork 8-1, Florence 7-3
Hamilton picked up their first conference win on Thursday with a 65-57 win over rival Stevensville. The Broncs led throughout although Stevensville was nipping at their tails the entire game. Casey Ryter found his groove and scored 19 points for the Broncs. Josh Heath had 11 and Bret Huxtable added 10 more. Stevensville was paced by James Fry who had 24 points.
Hamilton 65, Stevensville 57
Hamilton – Casey Ryter 19, Josh Heath 11, Bret Huxtable 10, Tanner Lehr 3, Ky Burch 9, Ty Burt 5, Cameron Johnson 2, Shawn Kimp 6.
Stevensville – Daniel Pendergast 15, Jess Bodner 4, Jace Omlid 7, James Fry 24, Dalton Bragg 4, Bryce Torrey 3.
On Saturday, the Broncs fell to Dillon, 68-36. Freshman Carter Kearns led the scoring for the Broncs with nine points.
Dillon 68, Hamilton 36
Dillon – Tyler Jory 5, Trae Williams 5, JD Ferris 2, Parker Love 5, Nate Simkins 4, Justin Ferris 17, Nick Huber 12, Tanner Haverfield 8, Jason Ferris 7, Travis Ackerson 3.
Hamilton – Josh Heath 5, Bret Huxtable 4, Ky Burch 2, Ty Burt 6, Bridger Bauder 1, Shawn Kimp 4, Riley Della Silva 1, Casey Ryter 4, Carter Kearns 9.
Stevensville fell to Hellgate in non-conference action on Friday night.
Corvallis fell to No. 4 Butte Central, 53-45, in Southwest A action on Saturday. The Maroons are in second place in the conference. The Blue Devils were doubled by Butte Central in the second quarter and were not able to overcome the deficit. Jesse Sims had 21 points to pace the Blue Devils.
Butte Central 53, Corvallis 45
Corvallis – Jesse Sims 21, Jayce Gilder 9, Andrew Leopold 6, Austin Ray 5, Chase Jessop 4.
Butte Central – Marcus Ferriter 17, Dalton Sessions 13, Cole Harper 6, Nate McGree 5, Danny Peoples 5, Chad Peterson 5, Kyle Harrington 2.
Darby rolled over Seeley-Swan, 65-47, in 13C action. The Tigers jumped out to an early lead and never let up. Joe Caicedo led all scorers with 27 points. Zach McCrossin added 11.
Darby 65, Seeley-Swan 47
Seeley-Swan – Keaton Johnson 2, Jacob Haley 16, Joshua Cahoon 6, Brad Miller 3, Justin Grimes 13, Micah Nicholas 2, Cameron Haines 3, Matt Teague 2.
Darby – Zach McCrossin 11, Rope Rennaker 5, Garrett McCormack 8, Druex Kuntz 7, Joe Caicedo 27, Dawson Jakober 7.
Darby continued their winning streak, taking down Alberton, 64-22, on Saturday. Caicedo had 19 points, and McCrossin and Dawson Jakober each had 11 points. Darby is now 5-2 in conference play and 7-3 overall. They are in a four way tie with Drummond, Valley Christian, and Philipsburg for the district lead.
Darby 64, Alberton 22
Darby – Zack McCrossin 11, Zack Kline 4, Rope Rennaker 3, Garrett McCormack 8, Zach McCollaum 2, Druex Kuntz 6, Joe Caicedo 19, Dawson Jakober 11.
Alberton – Isaac Warren 12, Kolton Hensleigh 2, Clancy Gout 2, Nick Turnbull 6.
Victor dropped both games over the weekend. They lost a close match to Philipsburg, 39-31. The Pirates only scored two points in the first quarter but then came back strong in the rest of the game and challenged the Prospectors. Michael O’Leary finished with 13 points for the Pirates.
Philipsburg 39, Victor 31
Philipsburg – Bob Immenschuh 6, Connor Munis 3, Eric Bohrnsen 18, Chase Comings 12.
Victor – Austin Lewis 4, Kolton Benish 4, Logan McKinley 6, Michael O’Leary 13, Colt Neville 4
Another slow beginning plagued the Pirates in their game against Seeley-Swan. They were unable to find their rhythm and fell, 47-31. Austin Lewis and Colt Neville each had 10 points for the Pirates.
Seeley-Swan 47, Victor 31
Victor – Austin Lewis 10, Kolton Benish 2, Greg Charlton 3, Michael O’Leary 6, Colt Neville 10.
Seeley-Swan– Jacob Haley 16, Hunter Mincey 2, Justin Cahoon 17, Justin Grimes 9, Micah Nicholas 3.