by Scott Sacry
Darby 54, Anaconda 56
On Tuesday, January 14, the Darby boys hosted Anaconda. Darby led 35-27 going into the 4th quarter, then the Copperheads made a comeback and tied the game in regulation, sending the game to overtime. The game was tied after the first overtime and went to a second, where Darby fell short, losing 54-56.
For Darby, Jordan Browning led the way with 17 points, Leif Nelson had 16, Braydon Lundgren had 11, Ben Martin scored 5, McCoy Townsend had 3, and Oliver Long added 2.
Darby 41, Anaconda 59
On Tuesday, January 14, the Darby girls hosted Anaconda and lost 41-59. The Tigers trailed 15-34 at halftime, then rallied in the second half but couldn’t make up the difference. For Darby, Hadley Heiland led the way with 20 points, Natalie Anderson had 13, and Georgia Fisher and Lilly Bennett each added 4.
Then on Friday, January 17, the Darby boys and girls played at Deer Lodge. Darby won 49-39 in the girls game. In the boys game, Darby lost 33-48.
Florence 68, Drummond 31
On Tuesday, January 14, the Florence girls played Drummond. They jumped out to a 43-13 halftime lead and cruised to a 68-31 victory. For Florence, Kenzy Pickering led with 15 points, Kendyl Meinhold had 14, Maggie Schneiter and Ali Meinhold each scored 7, Emory Ralston and Madigan Hurlbert each had 6, Taylor Pyette had 5, Jaden Fisher had 4, and Shelby Crocker and Alex Nelson each added 2.
Florence 70, Arlee 11
Lopesided victories are becoming a trend in Montana high school basketball, but the Florence/Arlee girls game on Saturday, January 18 in Florence was eye opening. Florence went into halftime leading 46-2 (gulp). They took their foot off the gas in the 2nd half and coasted to the 59-point victory.
For Florence, Ali Meinhold and Jaden Fisher led the scoring with 14 points each, Maggie Schneiter had 12, Kendyl Meinhold had 11, Kenzy Pickering had 8, Shelby Crocker had 5, Madigan Hurlbert had 4, and Brooke Hildebrand added 2.
Florence 77, Arlee 44
The Florence boys also hosted Arlee on Saturday, January 18. The Falcons erupted in the 1st quarter, outscoring the Warriors 30-9 en route to a 77-44 victory. Florence’s Brody Duchien once again had the hot hand and scored 26 points, Jake Schneiter had 19, Bridger Alexander had 12, Mose Smith had 11, Laasch Makoa and Levi Winters each had 3, Kade Anderson had 2, and Mason Arlington added 1.
Florence 67, Deer Lodge 42
The Florence boys played at Deer Lodge on Thursday, Jan. 16 and won 67-42. The Falcons had a big 2nd quarter where they outscored the Wardens 24-8. For Florence, Brody Duchien had a big game, scoring 23 points, Mose Smith and Bridger Alexander each scored 15, Jake Schneiter had 12, Levi Winters had 3, and Wes Potter added 1.
Hamilton 58, Stevensville 17
The Hamilton girls went to Stevensville on Friday, January 17 and won 58-17. For Hamilton, Ashlynn McKern led the way with 19 points, Ella Griffin had 11, Kennidi Cooper and Tricia Wilson each had 6, Mariah Domingo, Loretta Hanson and Meryn Leonardi each had 4, and Annalise Lewis and Elise Carroll each added 2.
Hamilton 82, Stevensville 39
The Hamilton boys also went to Stevensville on Friday and won 82-39. Hamilton was up 35-14 at halftime then cruised in the second half to get the victory.
The Broncs had a well rounded attack with four players scoring in double figures. Tyler Jette had 18 points and continues to be a rebounding machine, grabbing 11; he also had a team high 4 steals. Canaan Magness had 18 points, 7 rebounds, 4 assists, and 2 steals. Landon Wetzel had another strong game, scoring 16 points with 4 three-pointers, Kaden Gum was solid with 15 points and 9 rebounds, Cash Lockhart had 6 points, Jake McCarthy added 4 points, Gage Bierer had 3 points, and Easton Hollis added 2 points.
Although this was a lopsided victory, the Stevensville boys had some good moments and look to be improving every game.
Stevensville
The Stevensville boys and girls basketball teams hosted Anaconda on Monday, January 13. The Stevensville boys lost 35-38 in a competitive game. The Yellowjackets led 27-25 going into the 4th quarter but faltered down the stretch to lose by 3 points.
For Stevensville, Jake Gavlak had a big game with 19 points, Angus Trangmoe had 7, Tanner Brown had 5, David Beames had 2, and Evan Montague added 1.
The Lady ‘Jackets fell 13-52 in the girls game.
The Stevensville boys went to Butte Central on Saturday, January 18 and lost 40-94. The Stevensville girls hosted Butte Central on Saturday, January 18 and lost 22-64.
Victor
On Friday, January 17, the Victor boys and girls played at Seeley Swan.
Victor lost 23-72 in the girls game. Then in the boys game, Victor was defeated 18-90. For the Victor boys, Kyle Glasser led the way with 7 points, Koen Nuttal had 5, Chris Betts had 3, Hayes Likes had 2, and Kordel Martin added 1.
Victor hosted Lincoln on Saturday. Victor lost 18-85 in the boys game. For Victor, Colin Lewis led the way with 12 points and Koen Nuttal added 2 points. In the girls game, Victor was defeated 16-55.