The Florence girls basketball team was in Missoula on March 13-15 for the Class B State Basketball tournament. The Lady Falcons played inspired basketball, but lost out in the loser’s bracket on Saturday, March 15.
In their opening round on Thursday, Florence lost to Chinook 51-57. This sent them to the loser’s side of the bracket where they defeated Fairview 71-58 on Friday afternoon. This win advanced them to play nemesis Missoula Loyola on Saturday morning. In a classic game, Florence lost to Loyola 47-48. Loyola then defeated Malta to take 3rd place, while Huntley Project defeated Baker to win the championship.
“I couldn’t be more proud of the girls and how they finished the state tournament,” said Florence head coach Shane Meinhold. “So many positive moments they can take into the next season.”
The Florence girls ended the season with a 20-6 record. They were the runners up in both districts and divisionals and played on Saturday at the state tournament. They look poised to have an excellent team next season as standout Kenzy Pickering was the only senior on the team.
“I want to give a big thank you to our lone senior Kenzy Pickering for all the hard work she’s put in for 5 years with Florence girls basketball,” said Meinhold. “She had a big part in changing the culture of Florence girls basketball this season in her senior role.”
Florence has a deep team, and has multiple girls who can make an impact. At the state tournament, Florence 8th grader Ali Meinhold and sophomore Emory Ralston stood out. Meinhold led Florence in scoring in every game at state, and Ralston played with fierce intensity and was a tireless rebounder and defender. The Florence girls will be one of the top Class B teams again next year.
Florence 8th grader Ali Meinhold going in for a layup at the Class B State tournament. Meinhold had an outstanding tournament, leading the Lady Falcons in scoring in all three of Florence’s games at state. Photo by Stephanie K Geiser Photography.
Florence 51, Chinook 57
Florence played the Chinook Sugarbeeters in their opening game on Thursday, March 13. Florence jumped out to an early 17-13 lead after the 1st quarter and led 26-25 at halftime. The Lady Falcons stalled in the 3rd quarter and trailed 36-43 heading into the 4th. Florence had their chances at the end, but fell short and lost 51-57.
As you would expect from such a close game, the overall team stats were even. But Florence was out-rebounded 25-35 leading to 22 second chance points for Chinook and only 7 second chance points for Florence. Another telling stat was Chinook went 7-14 from the 3-point line while Florence went 2-14.
Individually for Florence, Ali Meinhold had 12 points and 3 steals, Emory Ralston had 10 points and 5 rebounds and played exceptional defense, Taylor Pyette and Maggie Schneiter each had 6 points, Madigan Hurlbert and Shelby Crocker each had 5 points, Jaden Fisher had 3 points, and Kendyl Meinhold and Kenzy Pickering each added 2 points.
Florence 71, Fairview 58
The loss to Chinook sent Florence to the loser’s side of the bracket where they played the Fairview Warriors on Friday. The Lady Falcons went on a 12-0 run in the first quarter to take an early 20-7 lead. The Lady Falcons continued to dominate in the 2nd quarter and led 40-16 at halftime and 57-31 at the end of three quarters. Fairview narrowed the gap in the 4th, but Florence held on to earn the 71-58 victory.
Florence’s high pressure, full court defense caused 20 turnovers and Florence scored 23 points off those turnovers. Florence’s depth also proved consequential as the Florence bench outscored the Fairview bench 32-0.
Individually for Florence, Ali Meinhold had 14 points and 3 steals, Kenzy Pickering had 12 points and 8 rebounds, Emory Ralston had 9 points and 8 rebounds, Taylor Pyette had 8 points, Jaden Fisher had 7 points, Maggie Schneiter had 6 points, Kendyl Meinhold had 5 points and 4 assists, Alyx Monaco had 4 points and 3 steals, Shelby Crocker had 4 points, 8 rebounds and 3 blocks, and Madigan Hurlbert added 2 points and 4 rebounds.
Florence sophomore Emory Ralston dives out of bounds to save a ball during the Class B State tournament in Missoula. Ralston played with fierce intensity and was a tireless rebounder and defender during the tournament. Photo by Stephanie K Geiser Photography.
Florence 47, Missoula Loyola 48
The Fairview win sent them to play Missoula Loyola, with the winner advancing to the consolation game. This was one of those games where it was a shame that someone had to lose.
Remarkably, this was the fifth matchup between the two teams this season. Florence won the first matchup, Loyola won a close second game, and Loyola dominated the final two games, winning by 18 points and 25 points.
Florence was determined to keep this game close, playing intense defense to start the game, and they led 9-6 after the first quarter. Florence went cold in the second quarter and trailed 20-23 at halftime.
The second half was a back and forth contest with neither team gaining an advantage – there were seven lead changes and eight ties in the game. The game was destined to come down to the wire, and it did.
With 57 seconds to play, Florence led 45-43 and Loyola had the ball. Loyola was fouled and made the first free throw, then missed the second. There was a scramble for the rebound and Loyola got the ball and scored on the inbound play to take a 46-45 lead with 30 seconds to play. Florence lost the ball of their next possession and fouled Loyola who made one of two free throws and Florence trailed 47-45.
On Florence’s next possession, Ali Meinhold, who scored 11 points in the 4th quarter, hit a running one hander to tie the game at 47-47. With seven seconds left in the game, Loyola passed the ball the length of the floor and was fouled on a layup. Loyola missed the first free throw but made the second. Florence trailed 47-48 and had four seconds to go the length of the floor. Florence inbounded the ball but the Lady Falcons were unable to get a shot off and lost 47-48.
“I felt our girls won the toughness battle against Loyola,” said Meinhold. “If a couple of the late game possessions would have bounced our way we would have ended up winning that game.”
Meinhold continued, “the fan support and energy brought by the Florence faithful was the best we’d felt all season. There was so much positive energy at the end of that game that it almost felt like we actually won. Thanks to the family members, community members and students for supporting the girls at state and all season.”
Individually for Florence, Ali Meinhold had 14 points and 4 steals, Emory Ralston had 10 points, 8 rebounds and 3 steals, Kenzy Pickering had 6 points and 5 rebounds, Jaden Fisher had 5 points, Madigan Hurlbert had 5 points and 5 rebounds. Kendyl Meinhold had 4 points, 4 assists and 3 steals, and Maggie Schneiter added 3 points.
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