The basketball season got off to a running start at the Adams Center at the University of Montana where the Western A Tip Off tournament was held. Class A teams from Western Montana had a chance to see what each team has to offer in the conference. Although there weren’t many surprises, a few local teams showed some strength. Hamilton will be a tough act to stop with Ky Burch, Carter Kearns, Jaylen Taggart and Hunter Omlid all having a lot of experience on the court.
Stevensville, under new coach Tony Anderson, showed some flashes and will definitely be a threat as the season progresses. They have a lot of height and speed and showed that against Whitefish and again on Saturday against Browning.
Corvallis had a few troubles but still showed they will be a force in the season. Although they have some good athletes, they couldn’t get past Frenchtown and Polson.
Hamilton went to their go-to guy, Carter Kearns, to come from behind and power over the Browning Indians for the win. It took two extra periods to get the job done. Over half of Kearns’ points came in the fourth quarter and two overtime periods.
Hamilton 87, Browning 80 2OT
Hamilton – Camron Rothie 13, Ky Burch 13, Tyler Chouinard 7, Hunter Omlid 14, Jaylen Taggart 5, Tanner Goligoski 4, Carter Kearns 31.
Browning – Loring 13, Calf Boss Ribs 10, Running Fisher 5, Smith 7, Blackman 5, Magee 11, Mad Plume 9, Whitcomb 10, Almsback 10.
Frenchtown 56, Corvallis 49
The Frenchtown Broncs controlled the backboard and turned that into a seven-point victory over the Corvallis Blue Devils. Corvallis came out strongly and led b y six points at the end of the first quarter but fell short in the second and third quarters. Justin Catanach led the Devils with 17 points.
Corvallis – Kobe Jessop 6, Ridge Albright 8, Logan Roth 1, Tylor Nixon 14, Justin Catanach 17, Zach Jessop 3.
Frenchtown – Botkin 19, Means 16, Price 12, Rugg 5, Pyron 4.
Stevensville rolled over the Whitefish Bulldogs, 73-45, in their opening game. With new coach Tony Anderson on the bench in a tie instead of the black and gold he wore in high school, the Yellowjackets came out strong and played tough throughout the game. Three players finished in double figures. Dalton Bragg had 18, James Fry had 17 and Colby Meeds finished with 12.
Stevensville 73, Whitefish 45
Whitefish – Keuylian 9, Kastella 10, Blake 2, Ellingsen 4, Kemm 9, Walburn 7, Botner 4.
Stevensville – Colby Meeds 12, Jared Kingsbury 8, James Fry 17, Dalton Bragg 18, Chayse Richards 7, Alex Gavlak 3, Lewis Estrada 8.
Saturday boys
Stevensville 46, Browning 44
The Yellowjackets rallied in the second half, scoring 28 points while holding Browning to only 15 points, and went on to squeeze out a 48-46 win. Bragg led the ‘Jackets in scoring with 14 points.
Stevensville 46, Browning 44
Stevensville – Colby Meeds 6, Jarod Kingsbury 11, James Fry 6, Dalton Bragg 14, Chase Richards 2, Luis Estrada 7.
Browning – Calf Boss Ribs 4, Smith 2, Blackman 2, Magee 9, Mad Plume 17, Whitcomb 6, Aimsback 4.
There was a little concern that Hamilton’s legs might be a little sluggish after playing a double overtime game the night before. But their conditioning paid off and the Broncs came away with another win, defeating Columbia Falls, 52-41. Hamilton had three players in double figures with Hunter Omlid leading the team’s scoring with 17 points. Tanner Goligoski had 11 points and Carter Kearns added 10.
Hamilton 52, Columbia Falls 41
Hamilton – Camron Rothie 5, Ky Burch 3, Ty Chouinard 2, Hunter Omlid 17, Jaylen Taggart 4, Tanner Goligoski 11, Carter Kearns 10.
Columbia Falls – Green 2, Stephens 22, DeCamp 4, Bridwell 2, Morrison 6, Schrade 5.
Corvallis took on Polson who finished third in the state last year. After a close first quarter, the Pirates pulled away and went on to win, 77-43. Logan Roth had 13 points to lead the Blue Devils.
Polson 77, Corvallis 43
Corvallis – Liang Liedle 3, Logan Roth 13, Ridge Albright 3, Kolton Mahan 2, Tylor Nixon 7, Justin Catanach 8, Kobe Jessop 7.
Polson – Askan 2, Johnson 7, Bautista 10, Wilson 4, North Piegan 16, Lanier 5, Main 9, Resnvold 19, Schultz 2, Danley 3.