The basketball season got off to a hectic beginning over the weekend with the Tip Off tournament in Missoula at the Adams Center. Teams from the Northwest A and the Southwest A had a chance to play some teams they won’t see again until the Western A Divisional at the end of February.
The Hamilton boys lost some key players last season to graduation but they are expected to be at the top of their game in basketball. Coming off of a stellar football season where they finished second in the state, the Broncs had to take on Whitefish in their first game.
Whitefish is a big, tall team with only two players listed under six feet on their roster. Hamilton, on the other hand, relies on speed and athleticism for their game. Tyler Burrows is the tallest Bronc that sees much playing time and he’s 6’4” and only a sophomore. But with the experience of Tanner Goligoski, Hunter Omlid, Cam Rothie, Tyler Barnes and Carson Rostad, the Broncs are a tough team to handle.
The two teams had some jitters in their first game but it was evenly matched. The Bulldogs took an eight-point lead into the half but the Broncs came out strong in the third. Two treys by Goligoski opened up the nets for the Broncs. They also went to a swarming full court press that had the Bulldogs scrambling. By the end of the third quarter, Hamilton trailed by only one point. Hamilton’s tough defense continued but Whitefish adjusted and came back. A long three-point shot by Whitefish’s Lee Walburn tied the game at 56 all when time ran out.
Hamilton’s shots fell short in the first half of overtime and Whitefish built up a lead. Hamilton’s first basket was a trey by Goligoski with 41 seconds remaining. Trey Searle hit a short layup and Goligoski sank one more three-pointer in the game but it was not enough. Hamilton fell, 71-65.
Whitefish 71, Hamilton 65
Hamilton: Camron Rothie 11, Austin Drake 1, Carson Rostad 6, Tyler Burrows 2, Trey Searle 6, Tyler Barnes 2, Tanner Goligoski 37.
Whitefish: Justin Conklin 13, Sam Menicke 2, Ryan Kemm 9, Mark Anderson 6, Dillon Botner 12, Bodie Smith 5, Lee Walburn 24.
Hamilton’s game on Saturday was against Polson. After a tight first quarter, Hamilton went to the basket and pulled ahead, scoring 21 points in the second quarter while limiting Polson to only eight points. The Broncs went on to win, 75-49. Goligoski had 23 points to pace the Broncs. Rostad finished with 16, Omlid with 13 and Searle had 10.
Hamilton 75, Polson 49
Hamilton: Cam Rothie 4, Carson Rostad 16, Josh Dickemore 5, Drew Brackman 4, Hunter Omlid 13, Tanner Goligoski 23, Trey Searle 10.
Polson: Ryker Wenderoth 3, Robin Erickson 4, Trevor Schultz 1, Parker Toth 4, Bo Kelley 6, Colton Graham 11, Seth Lake 2, Kordell Walker 10, Micah Askan 8.
Stevensville brings an experienced, senior laden team to the court this year but they have big shoes to fill with Dalton Bragg’s graduation. However, Logan Roth and Colby Meeds have a lot of experience and floor time and will be ones to watch this season.
They took on Polson in their Friday game. The Yellowjackets had the lead for most of the game, although it was close in the first three quarters. But a swarming defense by Polson and cold shots by Stevi turned the game around with Polson taking the 67-56 win. Meeds had 21 points for Stevensville.
Polson 67, Stevensville 56
Polson: Keyan Dalbey 2, Ryker Wenderoth 3, Robin Erickson 2, Trevor Schultz 12, Micah Askan 7, Colton Graham 17, Trevor Lake 4, Connor Lanier 2, Kordell Walker 12, Bo Kelley 6.
Stevensville: Logan Roth 18, Devlin Sherman 6, Colby Meeds 21, Tanner Pendergast 6, Gavin Beeton 3, Ivan Yazvac 2.
Stevensville took on Whitefish in their second game. Whitefish jumped out to an early lead but the ‘Jackets kept at it and pulled within nine by the end of the game Roth had a season high 30 points for Stevensville.
Whitefish 74, Stevensville 65
Whitefish: Lee Walburn 28, Dillon Botner 12, Ryan Kemm 10, Sam Menicke 9, Justin Conklin 9, Bodie Smith 6.
Stevensville: Logan Roth 30, Colby Meeds 14, Gavin Beeton 7, Devlin Sherman 5, Tanner Pendergast 4, Riley Rust 3, Jaren Gum 2.
Corvallis took on the Running Indians of Browning. And run they did. Although the Blue Devils stayed close in the first quarter, Browning found their groove and went on to win, 61-36. Caleb Warnken led the Devils with 14 points and Garrett Brown put in 11.
Browning 61, Corvallis 36
Corvallis: Caleb Warnken 14, Garrett Brown 11, Tanner Jessop 5, Mitchell Spinetta 3, Liang Liedle 1, Jaymark Liedle 1, Caseon Jessop 1.
Browning: Tyree Whitcomb 19, Rylee Spoon Hunter 11, Derek Sharp 9, Ethan Running Crane 7, Brant Bremner 5, Delon Mad Plume 4, Latrell Bull Child 3, Justin Burd 2, Trevon Fisher 1.
Corvallis’ second game was against Libby. The Blue Devils came out on fire and dropped in 20 points in the first quarter to take a commanding lead and lead by six at the half. However, Libby went on an 18-point run in the fourth quarter to edge out Corvallis, 47-46. Caseon Jessop had 26 points for Corvallis.
Libby 47, Corvallis 46
Corvallis: Liang Liedle 5, Tanner Jessop 3, Garrett Brown 2, Caleb Warnken 7, Jace Barcus 3, Caseon Jessop 26.
Libby: JJ Davis 2, Chandler Bower 2, Ryan Goodman 7, Ryggs Johnston 11, Kevin Barnes 2, Caden Williams 1, Tim Goodman 2, Keith Johnson 16, Jay Beagle 4.