by Scott Sacry
The Corvallis and Stevensville boys’ basketball teams met in a Bitterroot Valley showdown last Tuesday in Stevensville. Although both teams fought hard, the game was sloppy with a lot of fouls and turnovers, and in the end Corvallis proved too much for Stevensville and came away with a 50-27 victory. The 4th quarter proved the difference for Corvallis as they scored 24 points in the final frame.
Corvallis was led by Aaron Powell with 18 points and Donovan Potter with 15, followed by Dillon Potter with nine. Kellan Beller led the way for Stevensville with 12 points despite being in foul trouble most of the game. Gracen Travino followed with six points and Tad Tackes added five.
The game was closer than the final score indicated. Corvallis was up 7-4 after the first quarter and led 18-17 at halftime. Both teams came out cold after halftime until Beller made a nifty move to give Stevensville a 19-18 lead with 3:32 left in the third quarter. Corvallis’s Aaron Powell answered quickly with a deep three and Corvallis ended the quarter on an 8-0 run, giving them a 26-19 lead.
Corvallis exploded in the 4th quarter, scoring 24 points. Stevensville was in serious foul trouble by the 4th quarter and couldn’t play aggressive defense for fear of fouling out. Stevensville only suits up seven varsity players and many of them were in foul trouble early in the game and by the end Gracen Trevino, Lorenzo Grazzani, and Cole Olsen had all fouled out, leaving the ‘Jackets a man down for the final 37 seconds.
On Saturday, the Stevensville boys traveled to Butte to face one of Class A’s top teams in Butte Central. The Jackets gave a spirited effort, but were overmatched by the undefeated Maroons and fell 28-58. Lorenzo Grazzani and Tad Tackes each scored 8 for the Jackets.