The atmosphere was electric, and not really very friendly for the Florence Falcons on Saturday night in Anaconda. The ‘Pit’, home of the Anaconda Copperheads, was filled to the rafters with hometown fans, and Florence fans for the District 6B championship game. It could have been a bit intimidating for the Florence Falcons, but it wasn’t. Anaconda was the scene of the Falcons’ only loss this season, two weeks ago, and the Falcons were not about to fall again. They wanted to win not only because of pride but also because of seeding in the Western B Divisional tournament this weekend in Kalispell. Going into that tournament as the No. 1 seed from this district would put them on the opposite side of the bracket from Bigfork, the top team in District 7B.
This was the eighth straight district championship game for Florence. Anaconda, who dropped down to Class B this year, had not been in a championship game since 2007 and was a little nervous. The Falcons came out in the championship game and put on a 9-0 run against Anaconda before the Copperheads scored at the midway point of the quarter. The emotions were high and before the end of the first quarter, Anaconda had been hit with two separate technicals. Coach Bill Hill finally got his team settled down but by then, Florence had a 10-point lead.
But Anaconda was not going to go away. Sophomore Braxton Hill hit a couple of crucial three pointers and a trey by Sean Gallagher pulled Anaconda to within two points at the half.
“We didn’t want to give Hill any room,” said Florence coach Boone Nelson. “He can pull up anywhere and hit it.”
Marcus Zeiler was given the task of guarding Hill. Both are quick but Zeiler was able to get under Hill’s skin and created some missed shots and turnovers. Hill still finished with 16 points. Marcus Zeiler and his older brother, Bo, each had five steals in the game, and eight assists.
“The Zeiler brothers did some amazing things defensively,” according to Nelson.
And then there was Levi Clagett. The Florence senior had a stellar night. He finished the night with 40 points, converting assists and rebounds into baskets. At the half, he had already 19 points. He was 14 of 18 from the field, and 5 of 6 from 3-point land. He only missed two of nine free throws and had 11 rebounds. It was his second double double of the weekend.
Florence’s other two big men, Dan Mickelson and Jake Christopherson had some problems and so adjustments had to be made. Christopherson didn’t play much in the first half after landing crookedly getting a rebound. However his only three points were crucial. On a set play from outside, he sank a long trey to put the Falcons back in the lead early in the third quarter. He did play a bit more in the fourth, primarily rebounding. Mickelson was in early foul trouble and didn’t play much of the second quarter. Cody Liles came in and picked up the slack, especially on the rebounding according to Nelson. Florence took the lead just before the end of the third quarter and extended the lead. They won, 70-60.
Florence 70, Anaconda 60
Florence – Bo Zeiler 7, Marcus Zeiler 10, Levi Clagett 40, Cody Liles 2, Jake Christopherson 3, Dan Mickelson 8.
Anaconda – C. Stetzner 8, Ungaretti 5, Swainston 6, Mikalatos 5, Gallagher 12, K. Stetzner 8, Hill 16.
Florence had a first round bye and then took on Deer Lodge on Friday. Florence came out focused and playing tough ball. They held the Wardens to only two points in the first quarter and went on to win, 62-25.
“I was proud of their effort,” said Nelson. “I was excited to see that in the second half, they came out and worked just as hard. They know you have to value every possession. They did, and continued to execute.”
Florence 62, Deer Lodge 25
Florence –Clagett 15, M. Zeiler 10, J. Christopherson 9, B. Zeiler 7, Mickelson 6, Katen 4, Liles 4, Stensrud 2, Stroppel 2, D. Christopherson 2, Jelinski 1.
Deer Lodge – Scully 7, Pauley 4, Porter 4, Boese 4, Lowery 3, Smith 2, Owens 1.
Florence will play Troy, the No. 4 seed from 7B, at 8am on Thursday, February 25. Nelson said they have played, and beaten, every team on their side of the bracket. Libby is the only team in the tournament that the Falcons have not played.