by Scott Sacry
I guess it doesn’t pay to be ranked #1. Last week, then #1 (406mtsports.com) Hamilton lost to then #2 Butte Central in Hamilton. Then on Saturday, February 3rd, #2 Hamilton defeated #1 Butte Central in Butte 55-53. To confuse matters, #5 Dillon defeated #2 Hamilton on Tuesday, Jan. 30th, and #4 Frenchtown beat #5 Dillon a couple of days before that. Confused yet?
That’s life in the boys Southwestern A conference, as four of the top five top ranked teams in the state are from the Southwest A conference. Needless to say, it’s a battle week to week, as each team hopes to peak at tournament time.
In the Saturday, Feb. 3rd Butte Central/Hamilton matchup, Hamilton, generally a fast starting team, stumbled out of the gate and trailed 9-20 after the first quarter. The Broncs turned it around in the following two quarters, and finished the 3rd quarter on an 8-0 run to tie the game 42-42 to start the fourth.
The final frame was back and forth and, just like last week, the game came down to the final possession. Butte had the ball with 8 seconds left and Hamilton led 55-53. Butte missed a two-point shot at the buzzer which would have tied the game, and Hamilton won 55-53.
For Hamilton, Canaan Magness again led with 20 points, 9 rebounds and 3 assists, Jackson Jessop had a clutch 15 points, Tristan Koerner had 8 points and 8 rebounds, Tyler Jette had 4 points, 10 rebounds and 3 assists, Cole Dickemore had 5 points, and Landon Wetzel added 3 points.
On Tuesday, Jan. 30th, the Hamilton boys traveled to Dillon and lost 45-54 to the #5 Beavers. The Broncs jumped out to a 21-16 first quarter lead, then were outscored 24-38 over the next three quarters to take their second loss of the season and second loss in a row. For Hamilton, Canaan Magness led with 14 points, Tristan Koerner had 12, Tyler Jette had 10, and Cole Dickemore added 9.
Hamilton Girls
The Lady Broncs also played at Butte Central on Saturday, Feb. 3rd, and dominated the hosting Maroons. They were up 33-6 at halftime and rolled to a 64-23 victory. Hamilton had a balanced attack, led by Lavana Wetzel with 16, Madalyn Nelson had 14, Ashlynn McKern had 10, Meryn Leonardi had 8, Ayda Griffin had 5, Taylor McCarthy had 4, Tricia Wilson had 3, and Haylee McKern and Mariah Domingo each added 2.
On Tuesday, Jan. 30th, the girls played at #5 Dillon and just couldn’t generate enough offense against the Lady Beavers and fell 32-46. Hamilton’s Taylor McCarthy led with 16 points, Lavana Wetzel added 11, Ashlynn McKern, Ayda Griffin, and Haylee McKern each had 2, and Madalyn Nelson added 1.