The Lady Falcons of Florence lost to Ronan in the championship game of the Western B tournament in Ronan on Saturday night. And, in the consolation game, Bigfork defeated Deer Lodge. Because Florence had not played Bigfork in the tournament, a challenge game had to be played to determine who would advance to the state tournament in Billings at the Metra on March 9-11. (Results of that game were not available at press time.)
Although Florence was only one point behind at the end of the first quarter, Ronan pulled away in the second and Florence was not able to catch back up. Ronan won, 65-55.
Ronan 64, Florence 55
Ronan – McCrea 19, Askan 8, Conko-Camel 12, Camel 19, Moss 2, Finley 4.
Florence – Autumn Round 8, Sarah Hopcroft 2, Emma Stensrud 3, Shaela Mamuzich 1, Rilee Mangun 10, Makenna Liles 7, Dani Zahn 22, Chloe Arthur2.
Florence’s Lady Falcons began their play in the Western B divisional tournament with a substantial win over Eureka, the No. 3 team from the north. Florence opened strongly and scored 20 points in the first quarter while holding the Lady Lions to only five points. They cruised on to win, 65-39. Autumn Round led all scorers with 16 points and Dani Zahn added 14 more.
Florence 65, Eureka 39
Eureka – Hanson 7, Escobar 1, Utter 5, Pacella 7, Graves 2, Waldo 2, Cooper 4, Their 11.
Florence – Autumn Round 16, Sarah Hopcroft 5, Emma Stensrud 4, Shaela Mamuzich 1, Jewel Zeiler 3, Rilee Mangun 6, Makenna Liles 5, Dani Zahn 14, Chloe Arthur 11.
Florence edged out Troy in the semi finals, 39-33. Autumn Round had 11 points to pace Florence in the win. Rilee Mangun had 10, Arthur had nine, Zahn had six, and Liles had three points.
The Florence Falcons dug themselves a hole in the third quarter in their opening game against Bigfork. Although they came back, it was not enough. Bigfork won, 59-54. Florence took a two-point lead into the half but then Bigfork made some adjustments at the break and scored 25 points in the frame. Cody Liles had 26 points and Brenden Bailey added 10 more.
Bigfork 59, Florence 54
Florence – Cody Liles 26, Brenden Bailey 10, Brent Stroppel 8, Ethan Stensrud 6, Carson Katen 2, Tyce Pederson 2.
Bigfork – Epperly 15, Taylor 10, Santisteven 10, Gilliard 6, Stultz 6, Co. Reichenbach 5, Cl. Reichenbach 4, Chappius 3.
Florence defeated Libby, 59-41, in loser out action on Friday. Liles finished with 22 points and Brent Stroppel had 18 points for the Falcons. That win moved the Falcons to Saturday morning where they played Thompson Falls. Florence scored 23 points in the opening frame and went on to win, 69-49. Liles had 29 points and Stroppel finished with 20 points. The win moved Florence into the consolation game where they played Bigfork again. The Vikings won, 54-41. Florence finished with a 12-14 record.