by Scott Sacry
The Hamilton boys are the Western A Divisional champions. The Broncs won the trophy by defeating the Butte Central Maroons 73-64 in the divisional championship game in an overtime classic at the Butte Civic Center on Saturday, February 24th. It was the third matchup between the Broncs and the Maroons. Butte won the first one by a point, Hamilton won the second by two points, and now Hamilton has won the tiebreaker in overtime. Is there a possible fourth match looming at state? The Class A Boys State tournament will be held in Butte on March 7-9.
The Broncs defeated Ronan 59-49 in their opening round game of the tournament on Thursday. Then in the semifinals they defeated Columbia Falls 57-55 to vault them to the championship game versus Butte Central.
As you would expect, the championship game was a heavyweight battle with both teams in top form. Hamilton led 30-26 at halftime, but Butte fought back and finished the third quarter on an 18-5 run to lead 48-43 going into the fourth quarter.
Hamilton trailed by seven early in the fourth, but clawed their way back in the game (thanks in part to a couple of Cole Dickemore three pointers) and tied the game 56-56 with under two minutes to play.
In such a game, there are many big moments, and with 39 seconds left to play, Hamilton’s Canaan Magness made the biggest one of the game. Hamilton had an inbound play and trailed 56-59 with 39 seconds left in regulation. Magness received an inbound pass at the top of the key then buried a 24-foot three pointer to tie the game 59-59. Butte then missed a potential game winning shot as time expired, forcing overtime.
In overtime, Central scored first then Hamilton went on a 14-3 run to end the game, cementing their win and earning the championship trophy and the West’s #1 seed at State.
For Hamilton, Canaan Magness again was clutch with 22 points. Cole Dickemore had 17 – including 5 threes, Jackson Jessop had 14, Tyler Jette had 9, Tristan Koerner had 6, and Francesco Baruffini added 5.
Hamilton 59, Ronan 49
In Hamilton’s first round game they faced Ronan on Thursday. The final score ended up being a comfortable margin, but it was a nervy contest for the Broncs and with two minutes left in the game Hamilton had a narrow 50-47 lead; it felt like the game could go either way. But, back-to-back threes by Hamilton’s Jackson Jessop and Canaan Magness quickly made it a nine-point game and the Broncs held down the stretch for the victory.
For Hamilton, Canaan Magness led the scoring with 18 points. Jackson Jessop had 15, Tyler Jette had 12, Cole Dickemore had 9, and Tristan Koerner had 5.
Hamilton 57, Columbia Falls 55
In the semifinal game, Hamilton faced Columbia Falls, a team Hamilton beat by only one point at the start of the season. This game proved to be just as close. Hamilton led 31-30 at halftime, but the Broncs distanced themselves in the third quarter and led by six points, 43-37, going into the fourth quarter.
The Broncs seemingly had things locked up and with under six minutes to play they led 49-41. But the Wildcats came roaring back and Hamilton’s lead was cut to 51-49 with under a minute to play. Hamilton responded as Magness and Jette combined to make four straight free throws to push the lead back to 55-49, but two more three’s by Columbia Falls cut Hamilton’s lead to 57-55 with seconds to play. Columbia Falls’ half court shot at the buzzer came up short, and Hamilton earned the 57-55 win.
For Hamilton, Canaan Magness had a huge game with 25 points. Tristan Koerner and Cole Dickemore each had 12, Tyler Jette had 4, and Jackson Jessop and Francesco Baruffini each added 2.
Hamilton, Corvallis girls end season at divisionals
Hamilton 37, Browning 68
In their opening round game on Thursday, February 22, the Hamilton girls played Browning. The Lady Indians deployed a full court high pressure style that forced the Lady Broncs to turn over the ball. To make it worse, the Lady Broncs had one of those games where their shots went in and out. They couldn’t overcome these obstacles and lost 37-68.
For Hamilton, Ashlynn McKern had a big game with 18 points. Lavana Wetzel had 6, Taylor McCarthy had 4, Meryn Leonardi, Tricia Wilson, Ayda Griffin and Haylee McKern each had 2, and Mariah Domingo added 1.
Hamilton 36, Ronan 51
This sent them to the loser out bracket where they faced Ronan on Friday. The Lady Broncs played solid defense, but were cold in the first half and trailed 6-16. Hamilton was without one of their top scorers, Taylor McCarthy, who was injured in the Browning game. Their shots began to fall in the 2nd half but it was too late and the Broncs lost 36-51, ending their season.
For Hamilton, Ashlynn McKern had a big game with 20 points. Haylee McKern had 6, Ayda Griffin had 4, and Madalyn Nelson and Meryn Leonardi each added 3.
Corvallis 17, Bigfork 68
On Thursday, February 22nd in their first round game, the Lady Blue Devils faced Bigfork, one of the best girls basketball teams in Class A, and lost 17-68. Corvallis fought hard, but they just didn’t have the weapons to compete with the high powered Valkyries.
For Corvallis, Brecklyn Jessop led with 6 points. Ella Varner had 4, Ava Loran had 3, and Autumn Benson and Tayrn Holchhalter each added 2.
Corvallis 29, Columbia Falls 61
This sent them to the loser out bracket where they faced Columbia Falls on Friday afternoon where they lost 29-61, ending their season. For Corvallis, Brecklyn Jessop led the scoring with 10 points. Ericka Jessop had 7, Ava Loran had 5, Ella Varner and Tayrn Holchhalter each had 3, and Kate Allen added 1.