It was a tale of two different halves in the game between Stevensville and Hamilton. The Yellowjackets won the first half, but the Broncs came back in the second and went on to win, 69-57.
Stevensville only had six varsity players dressed out, although some junior varsity players moved up for the game. But the five on the floor came out ready to play. Jarod Kingsburg fired the Yellowjackets up with a dunk early in the first quarter and Colby Meeds followed up with a long shot. While Stevensville was loose, Hamilton was struggling to connect.
“Stevensville’s a great team,” said Hamilton coach Travis Blome. “When it’s a rivalry game, you never know what’s going to happen.”
The ‘Jackets led throughout the second quarter even though Hamilton was able to shut down James Fry, Stevensville’s leading scorer, in the second frame. Colby Meeds stepped up with a couple of baskets and Alex Gavlak hit a long three, his only bucket of the game. Stevensville was ahead by six points.
At the break, Blome told his Broncs they had to step up their defensive game, and they did. Hunter Omlid tied the game and the Cam Rothie had a steal and a lay up for the Broncs’ first lead of the game. Stevensville stayed right with them throughout the third quarter but could never regain the lead. While they were perfect at the charity line in the first half, the ‘Jackets missed nine free throws in the second half. Fry finished with 18 points for Stevensville and Kingsburg had 14 points. Carter Kearns finished with 19 points for Hamilton. He was followed by Tanner Goligoski’s 17 points and Omlid’s 12 points.
Hamilton 69, Stevensville 57
Stevensville – Colby Meeds 7, Jarod Kingsburg 14, James Fry 18, Chayse Richards 8, Dalton Bragg 7, Alex Gavlak 3.
Hamilton – Cam Rothie 4, Ky Burch 7, Ty Chouinard 7, Hunter Omlid 12, Jaylen Taggart 3, Tanner Goligoski 17, Carter Kearns 19.
Hamilton had to travel to Dillon in a battle of unbeaten teams. Dillon came out on fire and contained the Broncs who were only able to score six points in the third quarter. Dillon went on to win, 63-44. Kearns led the Bronc scoring with 13 points.
Dillon 63, Hamilton 44
Hamilton – Cam Rothie 4, Bridger Bauder 2, Ky Burch 12, Ty Chouinard 2, Hunter Omlid 4, Tanner Goligoski 7, Carter Kearns 13.
Dillon – M. Haverfield 12, Richardson 3, King 2, Wilson 10, Anderson 2, Anderson 14, T. Haverfield 18, Allison 2.
Darby was looking for their first conference win and nearly got it in their game against Seeley-Swan on Friday. The two teams were evenly matched and it showed. They were tied at the end of the first half. Seeley went on a run in the third quarter and doubled up the Tigers scoring in that frame but then Darby came back. Dylan Parks started the Tiger run with a steal and a basket. Zach McCrossin added a trey. Darby pulled to within three points with time running out. Seeley inbounded the ball with a long throw down the court. The pass went out of bounds under their basket. There was a question as to whether anyone had touched the ball and ultimately, Darby had to inbound the ball under Seeley’s basket with only 1.6 seconds left. A last second shot fell short and Seeley-Swan won, 59-56.
Seeley-Swan 59, Darby 56
Seeley –Swan – Smith 9, Johnson 20, Robinett 2, Shelmerdine 2, Miller 12, Johnson 5, Haines 6.
Darby – Zach McCrossin 17, Zack Kline 6, Dylan Parks 14, Andy Smith 5, Aaron Hansen 5, John Beckers 9.
Darby did pick up their first conference win on Saturday against Clark Fork. A 22 point fourth quarter sealed the 58-38 win for the Tigers. Parks finished with 22 points.
Darby 58, Clark Fork 38
Darby – Dylan Parks 22, Bridger Ernsderger 3, Zach McCrossin 13, Nelson Smith 3, Zack Kline 5, Aaron Hansen 8, Andy Smith 4.
Clark Fork – Mask 10, Callison 1, Ververis 8, Turnbull 10, Spence 9.
Florence edged Bigfork in overtime in a Western B match up. The two teams played to a 45 all tie at the end of four quarters. Marcus Zeiler had 19 points to pace Florence. Brent Stroppel and Tyce Pedersen each added 12 more.
Florence 55, Bigfork 51
Florence – Tyce Pedersen 12, Marcus Zeiler 19, Brent Stroppel 12, Cody Liles 8, Dillon Christopherson 4.
Bigfork – Epperly 15, Cl. Reichenbach 4, Co. Reichenbach 1, Taylor 7, Gilliard 19, Santistevan 5.
Butte Central topped Corvallis, 56-40, in Southwest A action. The Blue Devils got off to a slow start and were never able to recover. Justin Catanach had 10 points to lead Corvallis.
Butte Central 56, Corvallis 40
Butte Central– Johnson 5, Kump 23, McGree 14, McCloskey 4, Heaphy 7, Holter 4.
Corvallis – Logan Roth 9, Ridge Albright 6, Tylor Nixon 4, Justin Catanach 10, Zach Jessop 2, Kobe Jessop 9.
Victor split their games over the weekend. The Pirates topped Phillipsburg, 44-39 on Thursday. Victor went cold in the third quarter and only scored two points in the third but bounced back for the win. Jarod Halley led the Pirates with 10 points.
Victor 44, Phillipsburg 39
Victor – Jerod Halley 10, JD Kay 5, Logan McKinley 7, Skyler Webberson 9, Jayce Allred 9, Waylon Barta 4.
Phillipsburg – Lee 2, Monaco 3, Grange 13, Linn 10, Brabender 2, Cutler 9.
The Pirates didn’t fare as well against Seeley-Swan. The Blackhawks came out strongly and never looked back as they went on to win, 55-37. Halley had 13 points for the Pirates.
Seeley-Swan 55, Victor 37
Victor – Mason Agee 2, Jerod Halley 13, JD Kay 3, Logan McKinley 9, Skyler Webberson 2, Jayce Allred 8.
Seeley-Swan – Smith 7, Robinson 2, Johnson 17, Robinett 4, Turner 5, Miller 19, Johnson 10, Haines 10.