When Florence played Deer Lodge in Deer Lodge, Florence jumped out to an early lead but then gave it up and lost the game. It was looking like their second game of the year was going to be more of the same. Florence had a four-point lead at the end of the first frame and then a six-point lead at the end of the half.
“We got a lead and they fought back,” said coach Jordan Whittmier. “Their 1-3-1 (zone) is tough. The next thing you know, four turnovers in five possessions and they are right back in the game. We hit the shots early but we had some lapses in what we were doing and let them back in.”
And Deer Lodge came back with a bang! Florence had a two-point lead at the end of three quarters and spread the lead out to seven points at one time. But the Wardens didn’t let up and tied the game at 38 all when Ozzie King hit a jumper. A turnover by the Falcons and a shot by Logan Nicholson put Deer Lodge in the lead. Florence had a chance to take the lead when JP Briney was fouled making a three-point shot. Briney, who according to Whittmier never misses a free throw, missed all three shots. There were seven seconds remaining in the game.
Deer Lodge’s Nicholson went to the charity line but missed both shots. Florence had one last chance for a tie or the win. They opted for the win and set up a corner three point shot for Briney. Again it rimmed out but sophomore Blake Shoupe was right there for the tip in. Florence tied the game at 42 as time ran out.
“Honestly, when that shot went up, I thought it was going in,” said Shoupe. “But coaches keep preaching to us, go and get the rebound, and I did.”
The tempo continued in overtime with both teams struggling at the free throw line. With about a minute left, Florence was down by one point. They again looked at the corner for a three point shot. Briney had fouled out but Zack Christopherson was right there and sank the shot, giving Florence a two-point lead. That was the last score of the game, Florence won, 48-46.
“I told the guys, keep fighting to the end and Blake saved us at the buzzer there and got us into overtime,” said Whittmier. He added there will be a lot of free throw shooting at practice this week after sinking only three in the game.
Florence 48, Deer Lodge 46 (OT)
Deer Lodge – Ben Anderson 15, Aiden Thompson 9, Ethan Bossert 8, Logan Nicholson 7, Ozzie King 6, Keith Kipperman 1.
Florence – JP Briney 17, Blake Shoupe 9, Eli Pedersen 8, Beau Neal 6, Levi Posey 5, Zack Christopherson 3.
The Florence Lady Falcons defeated Deer Lodge in the double header, 56-24. Emma Stensrud had 18 points including two treys to lead her team. Trista Williams and Kolbi Wood each had eight points, Kasidy Yeoman had seven, Carina McCullum had four, Josie Lewis had three and Kelsen Zahn had two points in the win.