After going into the District 13C tournament as the No. 3 seed, the Darby Tigers made a statement on Friday night, don’t overlook them. The Tigers defeated Seeley-Swan, the No. 1 seed, last week by 10 points and they topped Clark Fork, No. 2, by 21 points on Feb. 22. This week at the District 13C tournament in Frenchtown, it was Darby who prevailed again and took the championship.
Although the two teams were only separated by a point at the end of the first quarter, Darby’s defense started to wear Seeley down and they began to pull away in the second quarter. Nelson Smith scored six of his 20 points in the second quarter. The Tigers pulled ahead and went on to win their second district championship in a row, 47-34. Gabe Smith sank seven of eight shots from the charity line.
Darby 47, Seeley-Swan 34
Darby – Nelson Smith 20; Jordan Anderson 12; Gabe Smith 9; Preston Smith 5; Tyler Davis 1.
Seeley-Swan – Walker McDonald 14; Quinlan Ream 10; Seth Richardson 4; Dakota Wood 4; Chase Haines 2.
The semi final game between Darby and Clark Fork was also a rematch of a week ago and although Clark Fork, the combined team of Alberton and Superior, put up a fight and sent the game to over time, Darby won, 65-60.
Darby’s Gabe Smith picked up his first two fouls in the first minute and a half of the game and it looked like he would be sitting. Nelson Smith and Nelson’s brother, Preston, picked up the scoring for the sitting Smith (no relation) and kept the Tigers in the lead. Every time the Mountain Cats made a run, Darby answered and kept the lead. Gabe Smith came back in and played but had picked up four fouls by the third quarter. But that didn’t stop him. Clark Fork came back in the fourth quarter and wouldn’t back off. Clark Fork’s Danner Haskins let loose a shot from five feet beyond the three point line to put Clark Fork one point down with 14 seconds remaining. Nelson Smith was fouled and missed one of his two free throws. Clark Fork took the ball down and Aaron Waddle made the shot as time ran out, sending the game into overtime. Darby went on to pull ahead and win behind Preston Smith’s six points in the extra time. Gabe Smith finished with 25 points.
Darby will advance to the Western C Divisional in Butte this weekend.
Darby 65, Alberton-Superior 60 (OT)
Clark Fork – Aaron Waddle 19; Carson Callison 16; Orion Plaake 13; Bryan Mask 9; Danner Haskins 8; Anthony Mueller 2.
Darby – Gabe Smith 25; Nelson Smith 18; Preston Smith 15; Tyler Davis 6; Tanner Davis 1.
The Tigers opened their tournament play against Lincoln. The Tigers quickly took control and rolled over the Lynx, 73-47. Darby scored 24 points in the first frame and then built upon that. Nelson Smith pumped in 21 points in the game. The Tigers were very determined and did their job in the game.
Darby 73, Lincoln 47
Darby – Lex Hilliard 2, Nelson Smith 21, Gabe Smith 17, Tyler Davis 2, Tanner Davis 3, Preston Smith 15, Jordan Anderson 8, Christian Humphrey 5.
Lincoln – Ryan Greenwood 14, Nathan Brown 17, Brody Henderson 10, Trenton Grentier 6
Victor opened their tournament play with a win over Valley Christian. After a very slow beginning from both teams, only five points were scored in the first quarter, the teams got going. The lead changed hands several times throughout the game. Victor took the lead for good with 2:17 left in the game when Carson Varner hit a field goal and was fouled. He sank the free throw as well. Victor went on to win, 47-44.
Varner finished with 19 points. Skyler Webberson had 12, Caleb Rockwood had eight, Raymond Russi had four, and Brandon Bowen finished with four.
Victor then had to take on Seeley Swan in the semi finals. The Blackhawks quickly took control of the game although the Pirates made a run at them in the second quarter and tied the game at one point when Russi squeaked between two large Seeley players to make the basket. But then Seeley began to pull away and went on to win, 55-38. Weberson finished with 17 points.
Victor’s final game was against Lincoln in loser out action on Friday morning. A slow third quarter ended the Pirates’ season when they were outscored by 17 points. Lincoln went on to win, 61-47. Varner, a sophomore, finished with 21 points. Webberson had 15, Rockwood 7, and Canyon Parks 4.