The Florence Falcons are looking to be one of the top teams in District 6B. The addition of Anaconda makes an already tough conference even tougher but the Falcons seem up for the challenge. With three players – Levi Clagett, Jake Christopherson and Dan Mickelson – listed at 6’4” or over, the team is tough on the boards and tough to shoot over. When they spread their arms, they nearly cover the width of the court! Their ability to shoot from all over the court and a tough transition offense makes them hard to stop. The Zeiler brothers, Bo and Marcus, are speedy and deadly as well. The bench is deep too. This all adds up to a tough team.
That was evident last Thursday night when Loyola came to town. This is a fierce rivalry and emotions are usually quite high. Florence took the court and proceeded to play a tough, all encompassing defense that only allowed the Rams four points in the first quarter while scoring 21 points themselves. Florence went on to win, 61-39. Marcus Zeiler had 18 points to pace the Falcons. Christopherson added 15 more.
Florence 61, Loyola 39.
Loyola – Pohlman 6, Round 3, Cooper 14, Maricelli 2, McHugh 2, Davis 6, Lincoln 1, Ermatinger 5.
Florence – Bo Zeiler 6, Marcus Zeiler 18, Ethan Stensrud 2, Jake Christopherson 15, Dan Mickelson 8, Levi Clagett 10, Carson Katen 2.
The Thompson Falls Bluehawks came to town on Saturday afternoon. Thompson Falls played a tough defense but couldn’t contain the Falcons. Florence went on to win, 53-36. Mickelson had 18 points in the game and Clagett added 14 points.
Florence 53, Thompson Falls 36
Thompson Falls – Holt 3, Hoisington 19, Laws 3, Tessier 3, Frields 6, Birkholt 2.
Florence – B. Zeiler 2, M. Zeiler 12, Clagett 14, Liles 5, Christopherson 2, Mickelson 18.
Corvallis and Hamilton squared off in the second game of the doubleheader in Hamilton on Friday night. The game was very physical and at one time, Hamilton had three starters on the bench in foul trouble. Hamilton came out on top with a 66-51 win. Josh Heath dropped in 20 points and Carter Kearns had 16 for the Broncs. Corvallis was led by Chase Jessop’s 16 points.
Hamilton 66, Corvallis 51
Corvallis – Danner Miller 5, Dillon Lewis 5, Caleb Powell 3, Jacob Geary 5, Spencer Nixon 15, Justin Catanach 2, Chase Jessop 16.
Hamilton – Josh Heath 20, Bridger Bauder 3, Bret Huxtable 4, Ky Burch 7, Ty Chouinard 2, Hunter Omlid 6, Jaylen Taggart 8, Carter Kearns 16.
Hamilton journeyed to Polson on Saturday to meet up with the Pirates. Hamilton took a one-point lead into the half but fell behind in the final frame to lose, 59-55. Kearns led the team with 14 points and Heath had 11.
Polson 59, Hamilton 55
Hamilton – Heath 11, Bauder 3, Huxtable 7, Burch 6, Omlid 10, Taggart 4, Kearns 14.
Polson – Ducharme 4, Niemeyer 2, Lefthand 12, Wilson 11, Main 4, Rensvold 18, Jones 8.
Stevensville lost a close game to Butte Central in Butte on Saturday, 48-40. James Fry led the ‘Jackets with 14 points and Bryce Torrey added 10. They were unable to stop Nate McGree and Cole Harper who had 20 pointes each.
Butte Central 48, Stevensville 40
Stevensville – James Fry 14, Bryce Torrey 10, Dalton Bragg 6, Jordan Thomas 6, Liam LeCoure 4, Jarod Kingsbury 2.
Butte Central – McGree 20, Haper 20, Richardson 5, Johnston 3, Holter 2.
Darby lost to Philipsburg, 58-24. The Prospectors held leading scorer Zach McCrossin to only eight points.
Victor narrowly lost to Drummond, 46-41. Drummond took the lead and Victor couldn’t overtake them. Colt Neville had 19 points for the Pirates. Victor lost to Two Eagle River School, 53-38, on Friday night. Neville had 13 points and Logan McKinley added 11 points.