By Jean Schurman
Florence does not have a senior on their team. In fact, Ally rust is their only junior. The young team is finding and fighting their way through the season and growing with each game. First year coach Duane Zeiler brings a wealth of basketball knowledge to the court and has been instilling his team with the fundamentals of basketball. But while Florence is learning the ropes, the season marches on.
This weekend, the Lady Falcons took on two tough foes. Thursday night, they battled the Breakers of Loyola. Florence stayed with the Breakers for a bit but the more experienced Loyola team went on to win, 59-33.
Loyola 59, Florence 33
Florence – Lexi Taulbee 1, Kourtney Kohlman 3, Autumn Round 12, Ally Rust 6, Jewel Zeiler 2, Jade Zeiler 4, Chloe Arthur 5.
Loyola – Mikayla Schneider 6, Kristen Elliott 2, Sami Worster 11, Tessa Burke 11, Kelsey Twite 14, Brook Kolar 8, Kaya Resner 7.
On Saturday, Florence took on Bigfork. The Lady Falcons’ tallest player is Autumn Round whose height is listed at 5’10”. The Valkyries’ tallest player is Miranda Campbell at 6’1”. They also have a 5’11” player, and a 5’10” player. In fact, their shortest player listed on the program is 5’4”. The Lady Falcons had a difficult time shooting past the taller team and finding their range from outside as well. Bigfork won, 59-29. Ally Rust had seven points to pace Florence.
Bigfork 59, Florence 29
Bigfork– Haile Norred 4, Marissa Hiza 16, Jaime Berg 2, Matti McAnally 2, Katie Palmer 5, Lana Berg 14, Miranda Campbell 12, Emilee Park 4.
Florence – Lexi Taulbee 2, Kourtney Kohlman 1, Autumn Round 6, Ally Rust 7, Jewel Zeiler 5, Chloe Arthur 4, Megan St. Germain 4
The Corvallis Blue Devils topped Butte Central, 48-41, and moved into a tie for second with Hamilton. Butte Central controlled the first half and led by four points at the end of the half. But a strong fourth quarter, including seven points by Jane Booth, powered the Blue Devils to the win. Corinne Sanderson poured in 18 points for the Blue Devils and Kira Doyle finished with 11 points.
Corvallis 48, Butte Central 41.
Butte Central– Peoples 5, Cierra Pica 7, Murphy 6, Emily St. John 19, Michelloti 4.
Corvallis – Taia Tully 5, Jane Booth 9, Corinne Sanderson 18, Penny Jessop 3, Kira Doyle 11, Ryann Wieshaar 2.
Dillon, who is leading the Southwest A conference, defeated Hamilton, 57-45, on Saturday. The Lady Broncs were not able to overcome their slow start and fell to 3-2 in conference play. Taylor Goligoski finished with 22 points for Hamilton.
Dillon 57, Hamilton 45
Hamilton – Taylor Goligoski 22, Ellie Hurlbert 2, Jaylee Albert 8, Kali Hayes 9, Bri Huggans 2, Shay Mohn 2.
Dillon – Jordan Peterson 1, Alex Rouse 11, Kylie Christiansen 7, Holly Andersen 2, Audrey Schurg 7, Rachael Nye 3, Cierra Lamey 17, Brynley Fitzgerald 9.
Hamilton defeated Stevensville, 60-38, last Tuesday. Carly Sebastian had 11 points to lead the scoring for Stevensville. Goligoski had 27 points for Hamilton and Kali Hayes added 11 more.
Stevensville fell to Hellgate in non-conference action.
The Darby Lady Tigers and the Seeley-Swan Blackhawks were both undefeated heading into Friday’s game. Darby got off to a slow beginning and had to make up points as the game progressed. They pulled within three points in the final quarter but it was not enough and they lost, 46-38. Keely Ehmann had 16 points to lead Darby.
Seeley-Swan 46, Darby 38
Seeley-Swan – Paige Holmes 11, MaKenzie Richards 3, Eliana Robinett 4, Stevi Meade 4, Mary Strumpfer 3, Alex Bohlman 6, Tessa Grimes 6, Marisol Caro 9.
Darby – Tori Johnston 6, Breanna Brickey 4, Keely Ehmann 16, Seanna Abrahamsen 5, Lacey Dolcater 6, Lauren Dolcater 1.
Darby bounced back with a 60-15 victory over Alberton on Saturday. Lacey Dolcater dropped in 16 points and Keely Ehmann added 15 in the win that put their record at 6-1 in conference play and 9-1 overall.
Darby 60, Alberton 15
Darby – Keely Ehmann 15, Lacey Dolcater 16, Lauren Dolcater 9, Kylie Fisher 8, Casey Ehmann 4, Seanna Abrahamsen 4, Peyton Muir 2, Breanna Brickey 2.
Alberton – Taylor Erdman 10, Montana Baughman 5.
Philipsburg took down Victor, 27-16, in a low scoring game. A total of 14 points was scored in the first half with Philipsburg scoring 10 and Victor 4. Victor outscored the Prospectors in the last quarter but it was not enough. Hailey Kay had six points for Victor.
Philipsburg 27, Victor 16
Philipsburg – Cierra Wingo 14, Maggie Althaus 2, Darby Deschamps 2, Jaden Comings 9.
Victor – Ashley Hopper 2, Michaela Portner 3, Jamie Burdett 5, Hailey Kay 6.
Victor lost to Seeley-Swan, 54-14, on Saturday.