by Scott Sacry
Florence’s Jaden Fisher defends Darby’s Austin Hackel in the game between Darby and Florence in Darby on Thursday, January 23. Florence won 82-22. Photo by Scott Sacry.
On Thursday, January 23, the boys and girls basketball teams from Darby hosted their northern Bitterroot neighbor Florence. In year’s past this would have been a Class B/Class C matchup, but Darby is in its second year in Class B and is in the 6B conference, alongside Florence.Florence 82, Darby 22
The girls played first. Florence, ranked #5 (406mtsports.com), has a strong and deep team, and in the first half they overpowered Darby. Darby has a solid, athletic group of girls, but they didn’t have an answer for Florence’s depth and full court pressure.
Florence doesn’t lose a step when they bring in their bench players and their full court press flummoxed Darby, leading to Darby turnovers and easy Florence baskets. Florence scored the game’s first 21 points and led 35-8 after one quarter and 61-12 at halftime, and coasted in the second half to get the 82-22 win.
To highlight the depth of this year’s Florence team, they had ten girls who scored. Maggie Schneiter led the scoring with 18 points, Ali Meinhold had 14, Kenzy Pickering had 12, Emory Ralston had 9, Madigan Hurlbert, Jaden Fisher, and Kendyl Meinhold each had 6, Alex Nelson had 5, Taylor Pyette had 4, and Shelby Crocker added 2.
For Darby, Hadley Heiland led the scoring with 10 points, Georgia Fisher had 8, and Lilly Bennett and Ella Bush each added 2.
Florence 66, Darby 43
Florence’s Bridger Alexander (#0) goes up for two points over Darby’s Ben Martin (#40). The Florence boys defeated Darby 66-43 in Darby on Thursday, January 23. Photo by Scott Sacry.
The boys game was more evenly matched. Darby has a young athletic team and Florence also has a skilled team, so it was a good matchup. In the end, Florence had too much muscle down low and forced enough turnovers with their full court press to get the win.
The game was close at halftime with Florence leading 32-23. The 3rd quarter proved decisive as the Falcons out scored the Tigers 23-10 thanks in part to easy points off turnovers. In the 4th quarter, Darby couldn’t get back into the game and Florence won 66-43.
For Florence, Bridger Alexander and Jake Schneiter led the scoring with 12 points each, Levi Winters and Mason Arlington each had 11, Laasch Makoa had 6, Brody Duchien had 4, and Wes Potter added 3.
Darby got solid play from sophomores Jordan Browning, Oliver Long, and Leif Nelson, Junior McCoy Townsend and lone senior Braydon Lundgren.
Lady Falcons break the Breakers
The #5 (406mtsports.com) Florence Lady Falcons hosted the #2 Missoula Loyola Breakers on Saturday, Jan. 25. These two teams have been steamrolling Class B competition this season and both look destined to make deep post-season runs.
This elite matchup lived up to the hype as the Falcons outlasted the Breakers, winning 68-62 in an overtime classic.
Both teams are deep and talented, both teams press on defense and are efficient on offense. So, as expected, the game came down to who made the most plays at the end of the game, and on this night it was Florence.
Both teams had a chance to win at the end of regulation, but neither converted. Then, Florence started overtime on a 9-2 run, and held on for the win, despite a 40 point performance from Loyola standout Spencer Laird.
Florence has a handful of girls capable of leading, but sophomore Madigan Hurlbert came up big in this game with timely baskets down the stretch. Hurlbert led the scoring with 17 points, Maggie Schneiter had 10, Jaden Fisher had 9, Ali Meinhold, Emory Ralston and Kenzy Pickering each had 8, Kendyl Meinhold had 5, and Taylor Pyette added 3.
The Falcons (11-1) have now won 10 straight games since losing to Malta on Dec. 13.
Florence 40, Loyola 82
The Florence boys hosted #1 Missoula Loyola on Saturday, Jan. 25. The Florence boys have a strong team, but Loyola is on another level and will likely hoist their 3rd straight Class B State championship trophy at the end of the year.
Florence fell behind 13-25 after the 1st quarter and 20-59 at halftime. The Falcons couldn’t make up the difference in the second half and lost 40-82.
Darby
On Friday, Jan. 24, the Darby girls and boys hosted Arlee. The Darby girls won 38-29. Georgia Fisher led the scoring with 12 points, Lilly Bennett and Hadley Heiland each had 8, Kiannah Herman had 4, Brooklyn Janis and Ella Bush each added 2.
In the boys game, the Darby boys lost to Arlee in a close game. Darby led 58-57 with under a minute to play, but Arlee scored the game’s final six points and Darby fell 58-63.
