However the lack of experience didn’t slow the Blue Devils down. Although Columbia Falls is a bigger team, they are also younger, with only four seniors on the squad. Corvallis came out strong and although they only led by two points at the end of the first quarter, they poured it on in the second, scoring 20 points while holding the Wildcats to only six points. Strong defensive play under the boards by Catanach, Powell and Jessop, resulted in very few second chance opportunities for Columbia Falls.
Tannon Allred hit a long trey at the end of the third quarter to give the Blue Devils an 18-point lead. They went on to go on a nine point run in the first minute and a half of the fourth quarter to pad the margin. Corvallis won, 62-41.
O’Neil was an assistant coach a few years ago in Corvallis. He’s looking forward to the season and said the attitude of the players has been outstanding. He’s not sure what changes he may make to the playbook but is waiting to see how well they play together. If Saturday night’s game is any indication of what’s going to be coming, opponents will have a difficult time figuring out who will be playing. O’Neil mixed all of his players in and out and that didn’t seem to stop the momentum of the game on either offense or defense.
Corvallis 62, Columbia Falls 41
Columbia Falls – Riley 7, Stephens 3, Green 1, Morden 10, Murphy 14, Bridwell 6.
Corvallis – Danner Miller 2, Caleb Powell 4, Jacob Geary 4, Ridge Albright 2, Spencer Jessop 2, Tylor Nixon 14, Justin Catanach 5, Chase Jessop 19, Tannon Allred 10.
Stevensville opened against Sentinel in Missoula. Although the Yellowjackets got off to a slow beginning, they rallied back in the second quarter and pulled within six points by the end of the first half. Although they couldn’t pull ahead, the ‘Jackets stayed close throughout the second half. Sentinel won, 57-44. James Fry went two-for-three from beyond the three-point line.
Sentinel 57, Stevensville 44
Stevensville – James Fry14, Bryce Torrey 16, Dalton Bragg 4, Jordan Thomas 3, Jerrod Kingsbury 7.
Sentinel – Beighle 17, Roberts 15, Mytty 4, Reynolds 8, Jones 8, Breen 2, Thompson 1, Line 2.
The Class C Tip Off Tournament was held in Frenchtown over the weekend. Darby and Victor competed against teams from small schools from throughout Western Montana. Darby played two games and Victor only played one.
The Tigers notched two wins in the tournament. They opened against West Yellowstone. Darby came out on fire defensively and held West Yellowstone to only seven points in the first half and 12 points in the first three quarters. They went on to win, 47-23. Zach McCrossin had 22 points in the opening game.
Darby 47, West Yellowstone 23
Darby– Zach McCrossin 22, Zack Kline 6, Dylan Parks 4, John Beckers 2, Rylee Smith 2, Aaron Hansen 4, Cory Balenzano 7.
West Yellowstone – Liszka 4, Mitic 5, Loomas 7, Peterson 5, Trecen Watson 2
Darby’s second game was against Two Eagle River School. After a slow start, Darby pulled ahead in the third quarter while limiting Two Eagle to only nine points. Darby went on to win, 62-55. McCrossin dropped in 38 points in the win.
Darby 62, Two Eagle River 55
Two Eagle River School – I. Mathis 8, Z. Mathis 4, Cutfinger 21, McDougal 3, Tenas 2, Josiah Nicholas 4, Corey Cadeux 13.
Darby – Zach McCrossin 38, Zack Kline 9, John Beckers 2, Rylee Smith 2, Anthony Westfall 2, Cory Balendano 9.
Victor’s game was against the Charlo Vikings. Both teams were slow to warm up and only had 8 total points in the first quarter. Charlo pulled ahead and went on to win, 36-25. Colt Neville had 10 points to pace Victor.
Charlo 36, Victor 25
Charlo – Delaney 2, Petticrew 3, Smith 7, Vaughan 2, Rumkel 11, Montgomery 3, Smith 8.
Victor – Austin Lewis 6, Connor Wilson 1, Colt Neville 10, Jace Allred 8.