The game between Deer Lodge and Florence began slowly with only 10 points scored collectively in the first quarter. But Florence held off the late charging Lady Wardens to win, 51-47, in District 6B action.
“We’ve been in this situation before,” said Florence coach Duane Zeiler. “We know what it takes to finish.”
Although Florence never trailed at the end of any quarter, Deer Lodge was right on their heels for much of the second half. Going into the break, Florence held a nine-point lead but by the end of the third quarter, Deer Lodge had closed the gap to only two points using a swarming press that created turnover and points for the Lady Wardens. With a diminished bench due to injury and illness, the number of fouls on Florence was also a factor even though Deer Lodge was also in foul trouble.
With just over three minutes remaining and the game tied at 40 all, Autumn Round hit a short shot to give Florence a two-point edge. On Deer Lodge’s next trip down the floor, Danielle Zahn stole the ball and headed to the Florence basket. She was fouled and sank the second free throw. Florence was up by three. Round hit two more free throws when Darcy Walker of Deer Lodge fouled her and the margin was five points. A trey by Deer Lodge reduced the spread. Florence went to the line five times in the last three minutes and sank seven of nine attempts.
Zeiler said that Deer Lodge coach (and Darby native) Kirk Walker was as good of a coach as there is on any court. “We’ve not seen that type of pressure that they put on us in the second half.”
Zeiler said that a three point shot by Emma Stensrud in the third quarter certainly gave the Lady Falcons a push. They were behind by one point when the freshman stopped and hit a long-range bomb. “All my players get the green light if they think they can hit a shot, she knew she could and she did.”
Florence 51, Deer Lodge 47
Deer Lodge – Rachel Nicholson 5, Josee Applegate 12, Rilee Gray 5, Darcy Walker 10, Kameryn Scully 9, Alyssa Lamb 4, Jessie Gravely 2.
Florence – Autumn Round 15, Emma Stensrud 4, Makenna Liles 6, Rilee Mangun 10, Danielle Zahn 7, Chloe Arthur 9.
Florence struggled on Friday night in Anaconda against the Copperheads who have a 1-2 conference record and are 3-4 overall. After leading by one point at the end of the first quarter, the Lady Falcons had to come back from a four point deficit to win, 56-45. They held the Copperheads to only five points in the third quarter. Zahn scored 25 points to lead all scorers.
“I think she pushed herself pretty hard,” said Zeiler. Zahn hadn’t played much in the first half of the season due to a knee injury.
Florence 56, Anaconda 45
Florence – Autumn Round 8, Jewel Zeiler 1, Rilee Mangun 5, Makenna Liles 13, Danielle Zahn 25, Chloe Arthur 4.
Anaconda – Seitzinger 13, Peterson 15, Fink 3, Mattson 2, Stetzner 12.
Corvallis picked up a non-conference win against Thompson Falls on Thursday, topping the Bluehawks, 69-31. The Blue Devils poured in 48 points in the second and third quarter. Corinne Sanderson led all scorers with 20 points.
Corvallis 69, Thompson Falls 31
Thompson Falls – Nelson 5, Wilson 5, Morgan 6, Van Elswyk 3, Schwindt 12.
Corvallis – Stephanie Stoker 3, Penny Jessop 9, Calla Haldorson 6, Emme Warnken 13, Corinne Sanderson 20, Lainie Albright 8, Genesis Keith 6, Brooklyn Wirt 4.
Corvallis lost a non-conference match against Frenchtown on Saturday. Frenchtown built an early lead that the Blue Devils couldn’t overcome. Warnken had 14 points to pace Corvallis and Calla Haldorson added 12 points.
Frenchtown 55, Corvallis 45
Corvallis – Penn Jessop 6, Calla Haldorson 12, Emme Warnken 14, Corinne Sanderson 6, Lainie Albright 3, Genesis Keith 4.
Frenchtown – Delaney 5, Williams 7, Willett 6, Worster 18, Hinrichs 11, Hochhalter 8.
Frenchtown also got the best of Hamilton on Thursday night in a battle of the Lady Broncs. Hamilton was never able to get their game going against the 7-1 Lady Broncs. Mallory McGill had 10 points to pace Hamilton.
Frenchtown 45, Hamilton 27
Hamilton – Tessa DellaSilva 1, Tristy Searle 2, Kara Nye 4, Mallory McGill 10, Reilly Rostad 2, Rachael ringer 5, Jorden Taggart 1, Lauren Ryter 2.
Frenchtown – Delaney 10, Williams 4, Statelen 4, Willett 4, Worster 13, Hinrichs 8, Hochhalter 2.
The Lady Broncs came back on Saturday to roll over Whitefish, 46-25. After a slow start in the first quarter, Hamilton came alive and scored 16 in the second. McGill had 17 points to lead the Lady Broncs.
Hamilton 46, Whitefish 25
Whitefish – Anderson 2, H. Brown 6, Nagler 4, Wilson 3, A. Brown 7, Vasquez 3.
Hamilton – Tessa DellaSilva 1, Tristy Searle 5, Ani Mason 2, Kara Nye 3, Mallory McGill 17, Reilly Rostad 7, Kailan Rocheleau 4, Rachael Ringer 5, Jorden Taggart 2.
Stevensville took on a couple of tough teams this weekend. They played Polson on Thursday. The Lady Yellowjackets were never able to take the lead although it was very close. Polson won, 50-43. Megan Pendergast had 17 points to pace Stevensville.
Polson 50, Stevensville 43
Polson – Lefthand 21, Smith 15, Motichka 3, Fisher 9, Perez 2.
Stevensville – Maddie Paul 2, Megan Pendergast 17, Evynne Alexander 2, Angel Richards 6, Haley Kampka 7, Kayla Schmiedeke 2, Makayla Davids 7.
On Saturday, Stevensville made the long trip to Dillon. The Lady Beavs held Stevensville scoreless in the first quarter and went on to win, 51-28. Makayla Davids had 10 points to lead Stevensville.
Dillon 51, Stevensville 28
Stevensville – Hannah Fry 3, Maddie Paul 2, Megan Pendergast 2, Evynne Alexander 2, Angel Richards 7, Kayla Schmiedeke 2, Makayla Davids 10.
Dillon – Rouse 4, Christiansen 4, Peterson 10, Truman 2, Hildreth 2, Berriochoa 4, Fitzgerald 23, Tatarka 2.
Victor picked up a conference win over Valley Christian on Thursday. Payton Tillotson with 13 points and Jamie Burdett with 12 points led the Lady Pirates. This was the second win for the team.
Valley Christian – Brewer 1, Kelly 11, Schulz 10, Messner 1.
Victor – Madison Allred 7, Ashley Hopper 2, Jamie Burdett 12, Payton Tillotson 13.
Victor played the co-op team of Superior and Alberton, Clark Fork. Tough defense by the Mountain Cats kept the Lady Pirates from hitting the bucket in the third quarter. Clark Fork won, 42-28. Tillotson had 13 points to lead Victor.
Clark Fork 42, Victor 28
Victor – Mcala Theis 2, Ashlynn Harrington 2, Madison Allred 1, Jamie Burdett 10, Payton Tillotson 13.
Clark Fork – Krutilla 2, Mueller 12, Dubois 4, Kelly 12, Mask 4, Clevenger 6, Parkin 2.
Darby lost a close game to Drummond on Thursday. Drummond jumped out to an early lead but then tough defense by the Lady Tigers pulled Darby back into the game. Drummond 41, Darby 35. Casey Ehmann had 16 points to lead Darby.
Drummond 41, Darby 35
Darby – Casey Ehmann 16, Peyton Muir 10, Sarah Costello 3, Kimber Schlapman 2, Nichole Slanger 4.
Drummond – Schindler 11, de Santiago 4, Kielley 4, Goodrich 6, Parke 16.