Western A divisional results

by Scott Sacry, Sports Editor

The Hamilton school hosted the boys and girls Western A Divisional Tournament on Thursday, March 5 to Saturday, March 7. There were three Bitterroot Valley teams that competed in the tournaments: the Corvallis girls, the Hamilton girls, and the Hamilton boys. None of the Bitterroot teams placed in the top four, so they all ended their seasons at divisionals.

Dillon reigned supreme as the Dillon girls defeated Frenchtown 50-35 to claim the girls Western A Divisional title. The Dillon boys defeated Ronan 59-45 to claim the boys Western A divisional title. 

Hamilton girls 

The Hamilton girls were the Southwest’s #4 seed and played the Northwest’s #1 seed Bigfork in their opening round game on Thursday, March 5. The Hamilton girls played one of their best games of the season, but came up just short, losing 38-39 to a tough Bigfork team.

For Hamilton, Ashlynn McKern led the scoring with 11 points. Kassidee McKern and Taryn Hochhalter each had 8 points, Annalise Lewis had 6 points, Meryn Leonardi and Nellie Dickemore each had 2 points, and Loretta Hanson added 1.

This loss sent the Hamilton girls to the losers side of the bracket where they played Columbia Falls on Friday. This was an evenly matched contest that was tied at halftime, and Hamilton trailed 22-23 heading into the fourth quarter. But Hamilton went cold down the stretch and Columbia Falls got hot and Hamilton lost 27-42. 

For Hamilton, Taryn Hochhalter led the scoring with 10 points. Meryn Leonardi had 5, Ashlynn McKern had 4, Anna Lewis had 3, Nellie Diekemore and Kassidee McKern each had 2, and Loretta Hanson added 1. 

Hamilton boys

The Hamilton boys were the Southwest’s #4 seed and played the Northwest’s #1 seed Ronan in their opening round game on Thursday, March 5. The Hamilton boys kept the game close for the first three quarters and Hamilton trailed 32-36 heading into the final frame, but the Broncs were outscored 11-20 in the fourth quarter by the Chiefs and Hamilton lost 43-56.

For Hamilton, Jake McCarthy led the scoring with 14 points. Cooper Weston had 10, Trevyn Bakken had 9, Cash Duncan had 6, and Kaeden Gum and Cash Lockhart each added 2. 

This loss sent the Hamilton boys to the losers side of the bracket where they played Browning on Friday. Hamilton kept it close early and trailed 10-15 after the first quarter, but Browning’s pressing defense and hot shooting were too much for the Broncs as Browning pulled away in the second half and Hamilton lost 36-68. 

For Hamilton, Jake McCarthy led the scoring with 13 points. Cartier Ferguson had 7 points, Trevyn Bakken and Cash Lockhart each had 5, Cooper Weston had 3, Sawyer Dowd had 2, and Taylor Doleac added 1.

Corvallis girls

The Corvallis girls were the Southwest’s #3 seed and played the Northwest’s #2 seed Whitefish in their opening game on Thursday, March 5. Corvallis got off to a slow start and trailed 8-21 at halftime. Corvallis found their footing in the second half but couldn’t overcome the early deficit and lost 31-47.

For Corvallis, Ella Varner and Ava Loran led the scoring with 7 points each. Lauryn Holmberg had 6, Kate Allen had 5, Briella Epling had 4, and Ellie Knapp had 3. 

This loss sent the Corvallis girls to the losers side of the bracket where they played Browning on Friday. The two teams had similar styles and it was an entertaining, up and down matchup. Corvallis jumped out early and led 10-4 after one quarter and 22-19 at the half. After an even third quarter, Corvallis led 35-33 heading into the fourth. Unfortunately for Corvallis, Browning got hot as the game wound down and Corvallis lost 43-48. 

Corvallis’s Ella Varner had a great game. The athletic senior was all over the court and led Corvallis with 18 points. Kate Allen had a solid game and scored 15, Lauryn Holmberg had 7, and Eva Loran added 2.