If you like basketball, the game between Corvallis and Florence was a good one to watch. Between running and gunning, rebounding and steals, there was something for everyone to watch.
Florence took the lead early with four different players hitting treys in the first quarter. Eli Pedersen, JP Briney, Zack Christopherson, and Beau Neal all making the long connection. Neal finished the night with 22 points and five treys. By the end of the half, Florence was up by two points and Corvallis was gaining speed.
“We needed to play a little better defense,” said Corvallis coach Zane Warnken. “ We need to do a better job of closing down lanes and helping each other.They hit shots, they hit a bunch of shots!”
Corvallis regrouped at the half and came out and scored 24 points in the third quarter. Tanner Jessop hit a trey and four free throws in the third quarter to get things going. Caleb Warnken, who struggled offensively in the first half, came back in the second half.
“Caleb (Warnken) had to hit those shots,” said Warnken. “Tanner (Jessop) can get going pretty well, he’s quite an athlete and a very good shooter. Cole Trexler is a battler underneath, that bronc riding competition comes out in him really quickly.”
The Blue Devils shut down Neal in the fourth quarter and held the Falcons to only three field goals while taking the lead. They went on to win, 66-60.
Corvallis 66, Florence 60
Florence – Eli Pedersen 9, JP Briney 12, Zack Christopherson 9, Blake Shoupe 8, Beau Neal 22.
Corvallis – Jay Mark Liedle 5, Tanner Jessop 20, Luke Wolsky 9, Caleb Warnken 21, Bryce Mayn 3, Cole Trexler 8.
Corvallis had a conference game against Butte Central on Saturday. Although it was a close game, the Maroons came away with the 51-46 win. Jessop hit three treys and Warnken and Wolsky each had one.
Butte Central 51, Corvallis 46.
Corvallis – Tanner Jessop 19, Caleb Warnken 13, Bryce Mayn 2, Cole Trexler 6, Luke Wolsky 4, Konner Provence 2.
Butte Central – Jared Simkins 6, Braden Harrington 14, Trevor Neumann 6, Matt Simkins 11, Gator Yelenich 8, Ryan Wahl 4, Brian Holland 2.
Warnken said the Blue Devils had only had three conference games prior to the Butte Central game. Their next three games are against the top of the conference, Hamilton, Dillon and Frenchtown.
“They’ve all been at the top of the conference for about three years. We believe we have a chance but we have to get better.”
Warnken went on to say the pressure is on with a one game playoff game at the end of the season. “We have to get better. We have to be ready. Our goal is to get better each night and to learn to play for 32 minutes, work hard, and trust each other.”
Hamilton topped Dillon, 50-40, in a battle of the top Southwest A teams. Dillon took the lead early but Hamilton came on strong in the fourth quarter to outscore the Beavers by nine points and take the win. Trey Searle had 17 points including four treys and eight rebounds to lead the Broncs.
Hamilton 50, Dillon 40
Hamilton – Trey Searle 17, Tyler Burrows 9, Carson Rostad 9, Austin Drake 7, Tyson Rostad 3, Tristan Hanson 3, Josh Dickemore 2.
Dillon – B. Anderson 10, J Peterson 7, J Fitzgerald 5, C Johnston 5, C Truman 4, J Kirkley 3, C Curnow 2, C Hoffman 2, J Reiser 2.
Frenchtown defeated Stevensville, 76-38, in conference play. Kellan Beller had 19 points to lead the Yellowjackets.
Frenchtown 76, Stevensville 38
Frenchtown – Cade Baker 18, Mason Pyron 2, Brandon Finley 13, Hank Rugg 2, Zack Baker 15, Ben Larson 8, Devin Shelton 10, Kaiden Romney 2, Carson Shepard 3, Jake Hinrichs 3.
Stevensville – Ethan Shobe 4, Kellan Beller 19, Tanner Pendergast 9, Sean Craft 2, Gavin Rahl 4.
Anaconda handed Florence a 6B loss in a fast-paced high scoring game on Saturday. Zack Christopherson broke loose for 20 points to lead the Falcons.
Anaconda 72, Florence 69
Florence – Creagan Keller 2, Eli Pedersen 3, JP Briney 15, Zach Christopherson 20, Blake Shoupe 8, Caden Zaluski 2, Beau Neal 11, Levi Posey 8.
Anaconda – Kylar Gochanour 9, Michael Galle 9, Braedon Sawyer 21, Peyton Klanecky 2, Leroy Wilson 1, Eli Saltenberger 13, Landon Hurley 17.
Seeley-Swan handed Darby their first conference loss in 13C. The Blackhawks took an early lead and never looked back in the 65-43 win. Nelson Smith had 23 points to lead the Tigers.
Seeley-Swan 65, Darby 43
Darby – Nelson Smith 23, Gabe Smith 8, Preston Smith 9, Jordon Anderson 2, Christian Humphrey 1.
Seeley-Swan – Quinlan Ream 24; Owen Mercado 18; Dakota Wood 9; Sawyer Shelmerdine 7; Chase Haines 5; Walker McDonald 2.
Victor lost to Seeley-Swan on Saturday.