If you look at the roster for the Florence Lady Falcons, you might think they are still pretty young, after all there is only one senior on the team. However, one look at them playing on the court and you know you are seeing a very experienced team.
Coach Duane Zeiler said his team is playing well but sometimes lacks a little focus in practices. That wasn’t evident in their game against St. Ignatius. The Lady Falcons came out on fire and quickly put up 19 points in the first quarter alone. Florence is a good mix of speed, scrappiness, height and the will to win. Rilee Mangun is 5’10, Makenna Liles is 5’8, Emma Stensrud is 5’9, and substitute Joey Janetski is 6’2. Jewell Zeiler is as scrappy on defense as they come as is Danielle Zahn. And then there’s Zahn’s shooting. She can find the basket whether she is inside or from way out.
Zahn finished the night with 26 points and Liles added 21 more in the 74-33 win. Coach Zeiler said that his team played well on Thursday against St. Ignatius. “They are rebuilding a program so it’s tough for them, but I was proud of how our players played their game.”
He added with the addition of Janetski who has been out with an injury, and Brooklyn Newbary who just became eligible after transferring into the district this fall, the team has gained depth and he’s able to give Zahn company a break once in a while.
Florence 74, St. Ignatius 33
St. Ignatius – Buck 7, A. Brander 5, S. Brander 6, Kienitz 2, Umphrey 7, Mitchell 6.
Florence – Emma Stensrud 2, Joey Janetski 4, Jewel Zeiler 2, Rilee Mangun 17, Makenna Liles 21, Danielle Zahn 26, Brooklyn Newbary 2.
Florence went to Stevensville on Saturday for a non conference game. Again, the Lady Falcons jumped out to an early lead and never looked back as they went on to win, 64-37. Mangun finished with 19 points and Liles and Zahn each had 18 points. Angel Richards had 14 points to lead Stevensville.
Florence 64, Stevensville 37
Florence – Stensrud 5, Janetski 2, Zeiler 2, Mangun 19, Liles 18, Zahn 18.
Stevensville – Maddie Weber 10, Megan Pendergast 6, Kennedy Praast 2, Evynne Alexander 2, Angel Richards 14, Haley Kampka 1, Kayla Schmiedeke 2.
The Stevensville Lady Yellowjackets defeated Whitefish, 51-42, for a non conference win on Thursday. Haley Kampka scored 11 points to lead the Lady ‘Jackets. Stevensville led throughout the game. Freshman Maddie Webber had 10 points and freshman Kennedy Praast had six points.
Stevensville 51, Whitefish 42
Whitefish – Anderson 5, H. Brown 6, Carloss 3, Moore 2, Ramsey 9, A. Brown 8, Kastella 2, Bender 7.
Stevensville – Weber 10, Pendergast 2, Praast 6, Alexander 12, Richards 10, Kampka 11.
Corvallis lost to Columbia Falls, 64-45, on Thursday. The defending state champions came out and quickly built a lead that the Blue Devils couldn’t come back from. Calla Haldorson led Corvallis with 15 points and Lainie Albright had 13 points.
Columbia Falls 64, Corvallis 45
Corvallis – Hannah Hutchison 7, Calla Haldorson 15, Hannah Martin 6, Lainie Albright 13, Lilly Berry 4.
Columbia Falls – Douglas 28, Ellis 1, Hill 2, Gedlaman 17, Kehr 6, Vasquez 2, Cowan 8.
Corvallis lost to Frenchtown, 52-41. Haldorson had nine points to lead the team.
Frenchtown 52, Corvallis 41
Corvallis- Haldorson 9, Martin 8, Ashlynn Nixon 7, Berry 6, Albright 5, Tayler Wright 2, Denali Smith 2, Hutchison 2.
Frenchtown – Willett 18, Shelton 13, Ca. Bagnell 7, Channer 6, Delaney 5, Arthur 2, Cl. Bagnell 1.
Hamilton remained perfect in the Southwest A conference with a 46-41victory over Butte Central. The Maroons controlled the first half and took a five point lead into the locker room. Hamilton came playing tough defense and held Butte Central to only 10 points while scoring 17 points. The Lady Broncs continued to play tough defense and pour in the points. Cariann Kunkel scored 18 points to pace the Lady Broncs.
Hamilton 46, Butte Central 41
Butte Central – Thatcher 15, Bolton 8, Strizic 3, Michelotti 7, Joyce 8.
Hamilton: Tessa Della Silva 7, Tristy Searle 2, Kara Nye 3, Jorden Taggart 4, Mallory McGill 4, Cariann Kunkel 18, Lauren Ryter 8.
The Lady Tigers topped Two Eagle, 63-16 in Class C non conference action. Casey Ehmann had 16 points to lead Darby and Shianne Kauk added 12 more.
Darby 63, Two Eagle River 16
Darby – Madison Conner 2, Gracie Lang 9, Casey Ehmann 16, Peyton Muir 7, Shianne Kauk 12, Kimber Schlapman 5, McKenzie Clark 4, MacKenzie Smith 4, Annie Rennaker 4,
Two Eagle River – Big Beaver 5, Shepard 3, Michel 3, P\AfterBuffalo 3, Carpentier 2.
Victor lost to Hot Springs and Lincoln.