by Scott Sacry
All-valley matchups in basketball
High school sports took a break over the holidays but started up again on January 2nd. There were a handful of Bitterroot Valley basketball matchups, as Hamilton played Corvallis, Corvallis played Florence, and Florence played Stevensville.
Hamilton vs Corvallis
The Hamilton boys and girls basketball teams made the short trip north to play the Blue Devils on Friday, Jan 5th in front of a rowdy crowd that had an equal number of Corvallis and Hamilton supporters.
The boys started the festivities, and it was a good match-up between two athletic and talented teams. The game went back and forth and the Broncs held a slight 11-10 lead after one quarter. Hamilton started to pull away in the second and third quarters, thanks in part to efficient shooting (they shot 62% for two point range on the night), and a solid defense that limited Corvallis to difficult shots. In the end Hamilton won comfortably, 72-59.
For Hamilton, Canaan Magness had a big game with 27 points, 9 rebounds, and 3 steals. Tyler Jette was solid with 16 points, 11 rebounds and 6 assists. Jackson Jessop had 14 points, Cole Dickemore had 7 points, and Tristan Keorner and Landen Wetzel each added 4 points.
For Corvallis, Derek Criddle led with 18 points and 4 rebounds, Dillen Potter had 16 points and 3 assists, Cameron Whiteley had 8 points, Ryan Hutchison had 7 points, and Bennett Boelman and Aydan Mayn each had 5 points.
The girls game capped the night. The pace was slower than the boys game, but it was still a scrappy and competitive battle. The Lady Broncs jumped out to a quick 14-9 lead after the first quarter, but the Lady Blue Devils clawed their way back and trailed 20-22 at halftime. Hamilton came out strong after the break and outscored Corvallis 15-5 in the third quarter, and the Lady Broncs held on down the stretch for the 45-35 victory.
For Hamilton, Taylor McCarthy led the way with 15 points, Ashlynn McKern had 12, Meryn Leonardi had 8, Ayda Griffin had 6, Haylee McKern had 3, and Madalyn Nelson added 1.
For Corvallis, Ericka Jessop led with 7 points, Ella Varner, Brecklyn Jessop, and Kaia Benson each had 6, and Ava Loran, Jayde Venema and Shaylee Weidow each added 2.
Jan. 5th in Corvallis. Photo by Scott Sacry.
The Hamilton boys traveled to Polson on Tuesday, Jan. 2nd and won, 78-49. The Broncs dominated the game with a strong defense and balanced offensive. Hamilton’s Canaan Magness and Tyler Jette provided a potent one, two punch. Magness had 25 points, 6 steals and 5 rebounds, while Jette had 21 points and 8 rebounds. Also for Hamilton, Landon Wetzel had 8 points, Cole Dickemore had 7, Jackson Jessop, Tristan Koerner and Jesse Villigan each had 5, and Hunter Stewart added 2.
The Hamilton girls also played at Polson on Tuesday. They trailed 39-44 going into the fourth quarter, but held the Lady Pirates to six points in the final frame to earn the 52-50 victory. Ayda Griffin’s layup with 36 seconds left gave Hamilton a 51-50 lead and proved to be the game winner. For Hamilton, Ashlynn McKern had a solid game with 21 points, Tricia Wilson had 10, Taylor McCarthy had 8, Ayda Griffin had 7, and Madalyn Nelson added 6.
Corvallis vs Florence
On Thursday, Jan. 4th, the Corvallis boys hosted Florence in a competitive and scrappy game. The Class A Blue Devils defeated the Class B Falcons, 63-53. Corvallis started strong, building a 28-20 halftime lead and going up 35-22 early in the 3rd quarter. But Florence came roaring back, going on a 17-5 run to trail 39-40 late in the third quarter. In the end, Corvallis steadied the ship and outscored Florence 17-13 in the fourth quarter to get the 10-point victory.
Corvallis had a well-rounded offensive attack. Ryan Hutchison led with 17 points, Cameron Whiteley had 12, Bennett Boelman and Dillen Potter each had 10, and Derek Criddle and Aydan Mayn each added 7.
For Florence, Tyler Abbott led the scoring with 19 points, Brody Duchien had a solid game with 15, Trapper Oster had 9, Bridger Alexander had 7, and Quintan Monaco added 3.
On Saturday, Jan. 6th, the Corvallis girls hosted Florence. The game was competitive and the first quarter ended in a 10-10 tie. The second quarter proved the difference as the Lady Falcons outscored the Lady Blue Devils 17-4, propelling Florence to the 43-26 victory.
For Florence, Maggie Schneiter led the scoring with 16 points, followed by Emory Ralston with 11, Kenzy Pickering and Heidi Lambson each had 6, Taylor Pyette had 3, and Kendyl Meinhold added 1.
Florence vs Stevensville
On Tuesday, Jan. 2nd, the Florence boys hosted Stevensville. Florence controlled the game throughout and won convincingly, 72-38. For Florence, Tyler Abbott led the scoring with 22 points, followed by Jake Schneiter with 10, Brody Duchien and Bridger Alexander each had 8, Quintan Monaco had 6, Mason Arlington had 4, and Levi Winters had 3.
For Stevensville, Kaden Wyant and Kaeden Gum led with 11 points and 10 points, respectively, Easton Hollis had 7, Jake Gavlak had 5, Angus Trangmoe had 3, and Gage Bierer added 2.
On Thursday, the Stevensville girls hosted Florence and lost, 35-49. The Lady ‘Jackets have struggled this season but played some of their best basketball in the first half and trailed Florence, 19-22. In the second half, Florence’s full court press flustered Stevensville, causing turnovers and easy buckets for Florence, who ran away with it in the second half, winning, 49-35. Florence’s Kenzy Pickering led the way with 15 points, Emory Ralston had 12, Maggie Schneiter had 9, Kendyl Meinhold had 7, and Madigan Hurlbert, Shelby Crocker and Heidi Lambson each added 2.
The Stevensville boys traveled to Butte Central on Saturday, Jan. 6th to play one of the tougher teams in the state. The ‘Jackets didn’t have the firepower to hang with the Maroons and fell, 19-74. For Stevensville, Angus Trangmoe led with 7 points, Jake Gavlak had 5, Easton Hollis, Kolton Kauffman and Kaeden Gum each had 2, and Gage Bierer added 1.
On Saturday, Jan. 6th, the Stevensville girls hosted Butte Central and lost, 29-34. The Lady ‘Jackets looked poised to get their first win of the season as they led 26-22 going into the 4th quarter, but they went cold in the final frame, only scoring 3 points to Central’s 12.
For Stevensville, Shilo McLain Lampi led in scoring with 11 points, Addi Drye had 6, Holly St. Germain had 5, Alexia Perez had 4, and Haylie Tolley had 3.
Victor
On Thursday, Jan. 4th, the Victor boys hosted Alberton and dominated the visiting Panthers. The Pirates held a narrow lead at halftime, 26-22, but pulled away in the 2nd half for the 55-40 victory. For Victor, Josiah Berk had a solid game with 14 points, Jace Martin had 9, Alec Rowlan had 8, Russell Drewien had 6, Henrique Nunes had 5, Price Johnson and Adam Wilkes each had 4, and Eli Jones and Evan Silva each added 2. Then on Friday, they went to Two Eagle River and were defeated 23-75 by the Eagles.
The Victor girls went to Plains on Thursday, Jan. 4th and lost 15-46 to the Trotters. For Victor, Chloe Pollan had 5 points, Nicole Bugli and Johanna Buchanon each had 4, and Whitney Bugli added 2. Then on Friday they went to Two Eagle River and lost, 26-47.
Darby
The Darby girls traveled to Valley Christian on Friday, Jan. 5th and won, 47-25. Then on Saturday they played at Superior. The Lady Tigers trailed by three points going into the fourth quarter, but were strong in the final frame to earn the 57-56 victory. For Darby, Hadley Heiland led the scoring with 14 points, Kimmie Berry and Georgia Fisher each had 12, Sierra Reed had 10, Natalie Anderson had 4, and Paige O’ Donnell added 3.
The Darby boys also traveled to Valley Christian on Friday, Jan. 5th and lost, 36-60. Then on Saturday they went to Superior and lost, 32-50. For Darby, McCoy Townsend led the scoring with 11 points, Jordan Browning had 10, Leif Nelson had 7, and Payton Ehmann added 4.