Hamilton hosts East/West tourney

by Scott Sacry, Sports Editor

Hamilton hosted the East/West Crossover basketball tournament on Friday, December 19, and Saturday, December 20. The boys and girls teams from Hamilton, Corvallis, East Helena, Laurel, Livingston, and Polson each played two games over the two days. 

Hamilton boys 

The Hamilton boys played Laurel on Friday and lost 32-33 in a low scoring defensive battle. For Hamilton, Cash Lockhart led the scoring with 13 points, Jake McCarthy had 8, Kaeden Gum had 4, Trevyn Bakken and Cash Duncan each had 3, and Easton Hollis added 1. 

Then on Saturday, the Hamilton boys played East Helena and lost 41-55. For Hamilton, Taylor Doleac led the scoring with 13 points, Trevyn Bakken had 12, Jake McCarthy had 6, Kaeden Gum had 4, Cash Lockhart, Cartier Ferguson, and Cooper Weston each added 2. 

Hamilton girls 

The Hamilton girls played Laurel on Friday. The Broncs outscored the Locomotives 13-4 in the 4th quarter and won the game 44-39. For Hamilton, Ashlynn McKern led the scoring with 15 points, Anna Lewis had 10, Meryn Leonardi had 7, Kassidee McKern had 4, Taryn Hochhalter had 5, Nellie Dickemore had 2, and Loretta Hanson added 1.

Then on Saturday, the Hamilton girls played East Helena and lost 37-50. For Hamilton, Anna Lewis led the scoring with 12 points, Ashlynn McKern had 9, Kassidee McKern had 8, Taryn Hochhalter had 5, Loretta Hanson had 2, and Meryn Leonardi added 1.

Corvallis boys

The Corvallis boys played East Helena on Friday. Corvallis trailed 24-35 at halftime, and wasn’t able to make a comeback and lost 41-81. For Corvallis, Dylan Wirt led the scoring with 13 points, Tanner Sorensen had 8, Conner Jessop had 7, Cole Murdock had 5, and Dexter Harper and Easton Jessop each added 4. 

Then on Saturday, the Corvallis boys played Livingston. The Blue Devils jumped out to a 21-8 first quarter lead, but Livingston came back in the next three quarters and the Blue Devils lost 52-72. For Corvallis, Conner Jessop led with 14 points, Tanner Sorensen had 13, Dexter Harper had 11 points, Easton Jessop had 5, Reese Tucker had 4, Dylan Wirt had 3, and Cole Murdock added 2. 

Corvallis girls 

The Corvallis girls played East Helena on Friday and lost 27-47. For Corvallis, Ava Loran led with 6 points, Kaia Benson and Ella Varner each had 5, Briella Epling and Kate Allen each had 3, and Savanna Johnson added 1. 

Then on Saturday, the Corvallis girls played Livingston and won 41-35. For Corvallis, Kate Allen and Ella Varner each scored 10 points, Ava Loran had 7, Kaia Benson had 6, and Ellie Knapp and Lauryn Holmberg each had 4.