Hamilton opened against Park County in a closely contested game. The Broncs and Rangers went bucket for bucket in the first half with only five points separating the two at the half. But every time the Broncs put some distance between them and the Rangers, the Rangers came back. Livingston finally gained a three-point lead early in the fourth quarter but again, Hamilton battled back. With time running out and the score at 51 all, Hunter Omlid, who finished with 29 points, hit a long three-point shot to give the win to Hamilton.
Hamilton 54, Park County 51
Park County – Brendon Johnson 23, McLeod Versland 10, John Waddell 11, Danner Parken 5, Sage McMinn 2,
Hamilton – Cam Rothie 5, Carson Rostad 9, Hunter Omlid 29, Tanner Goligoski 2, Trey Searle 6. Tyler Barnes 3.
After winning their opening game, Hamilton took on Billings Central in the semi-final game. The two last met in November for the state football championship. Hamilton scored the first few baskets but then went cold while the Rams finally broke loose and took the lead. Although Hamilton was able to reduce the span between them. Billings Central went on to win, 63-51, and eventually win the state championship over Hardin.
Semi finals
Billings Central 63, Hamilton 51
Hamilton – Trey Searle 14, Tanner Goligoski 12, Hunter Omlid 10, Camron Rothie 6, Carson Rostad 5, Josh Dickemore 4.
Billings Central – Niki Krause 15, Sam gray 11, Gabriel Penha Dos Santos 11, Seth Sasich 8, Joe Byorth 8, Chrishon Dixon 7, Cade Herriford 7, Marcus Wittman 5, Charlie Parkan 2.
Hamilton pulled out a 74-62 win over Browning on Saturday morning to advance to the consolation game and play for third place. Browning went on a 14-0 run to open the game before the Broncs got on the board. Browning went on to score 22 points in the opening frame. But Hamilton started clawing their way back into the game and only trailed by seven points. Hunter Omlid sank a trey to pull Hamilton within two points. By the end of the first half, Hamilton took the lead when Goligoski sank a field goal. Trey Searle added to the lead shortly after the beginning of the third quarter with a trey and Goligoski then added another three-pointer to put the Broncs up by eight points. Browning went on a nine-point run but Hamilton kept just ahead of them. With the clock ticking down, Hamilton went on a 10-0 run and held Browning scoreless and sealed the win.
Hamilton 74, Browning 62
Browning – Riley Spoonhunter 4, Ethan Running Crane 4, Derek Sharp 3, CJ Smith 12, Justin Burn 3, Deion Mad Plume 2, Tyree Whitcomb 28, John DeRoche 2, Blayne DeRoche 4.
Hamilton – Cam Rothie 2, Carson Rostad 8, Hunter Omlid 20, Tanner Goligoski 21, Trey Searle 21, Tyler Burrows 2.
Saturday night’s consolation game between Butte Central and Hamilton marked the fifth time the two teams had met this season. Prior to the consolation game, each team had won twice. This would be the deciding match not only for third place but also for bragging rights.
It took 40 minutes of basketball to determine the outcome of the game, 32 minutes of regulation play and two overtimes. Butte Central won, 54-41. Omlid finished with 14 points.
Butte Central 54, Hamilton 51, 2OT
Butte Central – Jared Simkins 4, Luke Heaphy 3, Matt Simkins 2, Braden Harrington 15, Dylan Sestrich 4, Gator Yelenich 2, Trevor Neumann 6, Cade Holter 14, Aaron Richards 4.
Hamilton – Cam Rothie – 12, Carson Rostad 11, Tyler Barnes 5, Hunter Omlid 14, Tanner Goligoski 6, Trey Searle 3.