Florence will be heading back to the Western B Divisional this weekend in Kalispell. They are a more experienced team who is continuing to get improve with each game according to head coach Duane Zeiler. They will open against Troy, a team they defeated earlier in the season, at 1pm on Thursday.
Florence lost to Ronan, 64-51, in the championship game on Saturday in Anaconda. Zeiler said the Ronan team is very solid behind the play of three outstanding players – Micalann McCrea, Alecia Camel and Lee Camel.
“They are so strong, it’s hard to match up against them,” said Zeiler.
Turnovers and missed free throws were the story of the night.
After the half, Ronan pulled away after Florence committed several turnovers. The Lady Falcons also missed several free throws. But then the momentum changed for when Autumn Round hit a shot, was fouled and sank the free throw. Kohlman hit a shot and Round made another to give the Lady Falcons a push. Rilee Mangun hit a short jumper and the Danielle Zahn hit a trey to pull Florence within six points in the third quarter. By the end of the quarter, Florence only trailed by five points. But then the Maidens put the defensive crunch on the Lady Falcons and held them scoreless for half of the final quarter. Round led the scoring for the Lady Falcons with 10 points.
Ronan 64, Florence 51
Ronan –McCrea 22, Wirz 2, Clairmont 8, Camel 14, L. Camel 18.
Florence – Kourtney Kohlman 6, Autumn Round 10, Ally Rust 6, Jewel Zeiler 1, Rilee Mangun 7, MaKenna Liles 7, Danielle Zahn 8, Chloe Arthur 6.
The Lady Falcons took on Loyola in their first game. This rivalry is always fierce and competitive. Florence took the lead when Zahn hit a three pointer and then Chloe Arthur sank another. Loyola took back the lead early in the third quarter but a couple more long shots from Zahn gave Florence the edge. Although Loyola challenged a couple of more times, the Lady Falcons won, 58-51. Zahn had 27 points to pace the team.
“We played really well against Loyola and played tough defense,” said Zeiler. “We pulled it out at the end.”
Florence 58, Loyola 51
Loyola –Schneider 1, Burke 18, Jacobson 6, Hollenback 10, Guenther 5, Kolar 11.
Florence –Kohlman 3, Round 6, Rust 4, Mangun 6, Liles 6, Zahn 27, Arthur 6.