The Florence Falcons fell out of the unbeaten ranks on Thursday in Anaconda. The Copperheads came back in the final minutes of the game to defeat Florence, 53-45. The Falcons were only down by three points with just more than a minute remaining but a turnover, a missed basket and a couple of calls that went against them, all combined to put Anaconda in the lead.
“It might open our eyes a little bit,” said Florence coach Boone Nelson. “I’d rather have a loss late in the season rather than a loss in the tournament. We just didn’t work the ball around enough to get it inside. We shot too many outside shots. We put up way too many outside shots and just didn’t get enough touches in to our big guys. They are a good team, big, strong and athletic.”
Florence took a four-point lead into the half but Anaconda came back. They put up 20 points in the fourth frame while holding the Falcons to only eight points. Marcus Zeiler had 13 points and Bo Zeiler and Levi Clagett each added 10 more.
Anaconda and Florence are now tied in conference play. But Anaconda holds the tiebreaker, which was done at the beginning of the season and could hold the No. 1 seed going into the district tournament next week. Both the No. 1 and No. 2 seeds will have a first round bye in the tournament. Florence has two games remaining in the regular season, including one conference game against Ronan on Tuesday night (February 9th). Anaconda has two conference games remaining.
“We just have to wait and see what happens with the rest of the conference and take care of business against Ronan,” concluded Nelson.
Anaconda 53, Florence
Florence – Bo Zeiler 10, Marcus Zeiler 13, Levi Clagett 10, Cody Liles 5, Jake Christopherson 3, Dan Mickelson 4.
Anaconda – C. Stetzner 8, Ungaretti 5, Swainston 5, Mikalatos 6, Gallagher 5, K. Stetzner 4, Hill 20.
Florence bounced back on Friday night against Deer Lodge. Nelson said the coaches met with the team and then the team conducted their own goal setting meeting after the loss to Anaconda. “They refocused and talked about playing good team ball, moving the ball inside.”
Deer Lodge slowed the game down which was actually helped Florence. Nelson said the team was tired after getting home late the night before and rather than playing an up-tempo game, they were able to control the speed of the game to their advantage. Florence won, 46-32, and improved to 8-1 in conference play and 15-1 overall. Clagett led all scorers with 14 points.
“It was a good comeback game for us,” he concluded.
Florence 46, Deer Lodge 32
Florence – Levi Clagett 14, Jake Christopherson 10, Dan Mickelson 8, Marcus Zeiler 8, Bo Zeiler 6.
Deer Lodge – Porter 13, Benjamin 11, McDermid 5, Lowery 3.
Corvallis topped Stevensville in an inner valley battle. It was close in the first half but then Corvallis broke loose for 23 points in the third quarter while holding Stevensville to only eight points. Stevensville’s James Fry is still on the mend and not quite 100 percent. Corvallis’ Justin Catanach broke loose for 16 points. Chase Jessop had a team high 22 points and Tylor Nixon added 11 more.
Corvallis 67, Stevensville 52
Stevensville – Liam LeCoure 1, Jacob Kingsbury 4, James Fry 4, Dalton Bragg 16, Jordan Thomas 6, Cody Coleman 4, Bryce Torrey 17.
Corvallis – Dillon Lewis 4, Caleb Powell 4, Jacob Geary 8, Ridge Albright 1, Spencer Jessop 1, Tylor Nixon 11, Justin Catanach 16, Chase Jessop 22.
Corvallis also topped Whitefish this week, 64-54. The Blue Devils had to fight back in the second half to secure the win. Nixon finished with 18 point to lead the Blue Devils.
Corvallis 64, Whitefish 54
Whitefish – Sampson 1, Kastella 24, Henry 7, Brewer 2, May 3, Siliker 15, Botner 2.
Corvallis – Danner Miller 2, Dillon Lewis 3, Caleb Powell 9, Jacob Albright 2, Spencer Jessop 5, Tylor Nixon 18, Justin Catanach 7, Chase Jessop 14, Tannon Allred 4.
Victor hosted the conference leading Valley Christian Eagles. Although the Pirates played tight defense, they were outsized and at a height disadvantage as well as out shot. The Eagles won, 53-29. Colt Neville had 12 points to lead the Pirates.
Valley Christian 53, Victor 29
Valley Christian – Redfern 11, Ireland 5, Dargan 6, Baugher 8, Klein 4, Lodine 19.
Victor – Austin Lewis 7, Riley Della Silva 3, Colt Neville 12, Jayce Allred 7.
District 14C conference leader Arlee came to Darby on Thursday. The Warriors put up 34 points in the first quarter and went on to win, 73-37. Zach McCrossin was the high scoring Tiger with 15 points.
Arlee 73, Darby 37
Arlee – Desjarlais 8, Malatare 13, C. Brazill 2, Whitesell 4, BigSam 13, Bird 1, B. Brazill 10, Tanner 22.
Darby – Dylan Parks 5, Zach McCrossin 15, Zack Kline 5, John Beckers 6, Andy Smith 2, Cory Valenzano 4.
Darby topped conference foe Drummond, 44-34 and improved to 4-12 overall. The Tigers came out strongly and build up a lead in the first two quarters. Although they struggled in the third quarter, they came back to secure the win. McCrossin broke lose for 27 points.
Darby 44, Drummond 34.
Darby – Zach McCrossin 27, Dylan Parks 2, Zack Kline 6, John Beckers 5, Cory Valenzano 4.
Drummond – M. Estes 16, Manley 4, Parke 5, Estes 7, Davis 2.
Hamilton notched another win with a no conference victory over Frenchtown in a battle of the Broncs. Hamilton held Frenchtown to only four points in the first quarter. Hamilton led throughout the game. Carter Kearns had 14 points to pace Hamilton. Ky Burch added 12 and Josh Heath had another 11 points.
Hamilton 48, Frenchtown 36
Hamilton – Josh Heath 11, Bridger Bauder 5, Bret Huxtable 4, Ky Burch 12, Hunter Omlid 2, Carter Kearns 14.
Frenchtown – Price 3, Smith 2, Rasor 6, Spadt 4, Means 15, King 6.