by Scott Sacry
Hamilton
On Saturday, February 11th, Hamilton, 406mtsports.com’s #3 ranked team, traveled to Butte Central to play the #2 ranked Maroons. Central’s only loss this year was their first game against #1 ranked Lewistown, since then they haven’t lost. Saturday’s game was close throughout. The Broncs trailed 16-18 after the first quarter and 27-31 at half, but the Maroons pulled away in the end for a 62-51 victory. The teams are closely matched and figure to meet again at some point in the postseason. Hamilton’s Asher Magness led with 13 points, even though he was in early foul trouble, Canaan Magness added 11, and Eli Taylor had 9.
The Hamilton girls also played Butte Central on Saturday and won 63-46. Hamilton jumped out to a 24-11 first quarter lead and cruised to their 12th victory. A pair of Searles led the scoring, as Taryn Searle had 19 points, and Emilee Searle had 12, while Taylor McCarthy had 9 and Ayda Griffin added 8.
Stevensville
On Thursday, February 9th, the Stevensville girls defeated Butte Central 52-45. Through the first three quarters it didn’t look good for the Lady ‘Jackets as they had only scored 27 points and trailed 27-32. Then they flipped a switch, thanks in part to their swarming defense, and scored 25 points in the final frame to get the victory. Cambree Praast led the way with 16 points, followed by Claire Hutchison with 12, and Dawsyn Brewer with 9. On Saturday, the Stevensville girls defeated Corvallis 49-32 to close out the regular season. Claire Hutchison had a big game with 22 points, Shilo McLain Lampi had 11, and Dawsyn Brewer and Cambree Praast each added 7.
The Stevensville boys traveled to Butte on Thursday to play the defending State Champion and #2 ranked Maroons. The ‘Jackets kept it close in the first quarter, trailing 8-12, but the Maroon had too much of everything from then on and won 66-23. On Saturday, Stevensville hosted Corvallis and lost 38-61 to close out the regular season.
Florence
The Florence boys played Plains on Tuesday, February 7th and won 66-41. It didn’t look promising after the 1st half as the Falcons trailed 27-30, but they owned the 2nd half, outscoring the Horseman 39-11 to gallop to the win. Patrick Duchien led the way with 17 points, Ethan Alexander had 16, and Jesse Padilla added 10. Then on Friday, they traveled to Anaconda and used a big 3rd quarter, where they outscored the Copperheads 20-7, to roll to a 62-48 victory. Patrick Duchien continued to impress and scored 21 points, Caleb Brossman had 16, and Ethan Alexander added 9.
The Florence girls hosted Plains on Tuesday and won easily, 67-23. Florence’s Maggie Schneiter led with 15 points, followed by Kenzy Pickering with 13, Trista Williams with 12, and Olivia Coulter with 10. Then on Friday, they traveled to Anaconda and won 65-53 behind a big 2nd quarter where they outscored Anaconda 20-8. Maggie Schneiter had a big game with 21 points, followed by Kenzy Pickering with 16, and Josie Lewis with 14.
Victor
On Tuesday, February 7th, the Victor boys played Valley Christian and lost, 47-52. It was a tale of two halves as Victor led 23-18 at halftime and got outscored 24-34 in the second half to take the loss. Russell Drewien led the scoring with 12 points, followed by Landon Nuttall with 10, and Jordan McLane with 9. On Saturday they traveled to St. Regis where they lost, 27-51. Landon Nuttall led with 11 points, Cale Alber had 7, and Josiah Berk added 5.
The Victor girls played Valley Christian on Tuesday and lost, 41-56. Kyla Tacker led Victor with 11 points, Virginia Brown had 10, and Abby Kay had 7. They hosted Lincoln on Thursday and won, 46-35. Victor was steady throughout the game, leading by 21-13 at halftime and 36-21 after three quarters to earn the Senior Night win. Virginia Brown and Nola Smorowski led the scoring with 14 and 13 points respectively, Kyla Tacker had 7, and Tia Allred added 5. On Saturday, they traveled to St. Regis and lost, 47-68. Nola Smorowski led with 13 points, Virginia Brown had 11, and Abby Kay had 6.
Darby
On Tuesday, February 7th, the Darby boys played Phillipsburg and won 58-48, thanks in part to a big 3rd quarter where they outscored P-burg 21-10. Then on Saturday, they traveled to Pablo to take on Two Eagle River and rolled to a 84-67 victory. Cullen Duggan was on fire and had a monster game with 37 points, Hooper Reed was steady as always with 23, Will Martin had 13, and Stevan Gabric added 11.
The girls played a solid Philipsburg team on Tuesday and lost, 34-65. They were down 12-45 at halftime, but rallied and outscored P-burg 22-20 in the 2nd half to keep it close. On Saturday they traveled to Pablo to play Two Eagle River and won, 51-30. Darby opened up a 28-15 halftime lead and didn’t look back, getting a victory in their final regular season game.