By Jean Schurman
The Corvallis Blue Devils played host to the Butte Central Maroons on Friday night. Butte Central is the 2016 state champion and although they have have many players back from last year’s title team, they have experienced their share of injuries this season.
Butte Central started strongly but Corvallis came back from six points down at the quarter to pull within two points at the half. Lainie Albright and Calla Haldorson spurred the comeback when Albright drained a trey, and then Haldorson made a steal and was fouled on the lay-up. After sinking both charity baskets, Butte Central took the ball back down the court. Corinne Sanderson had other ideas though and stole the ball for another two points. At the break, the Blue Devils trailed by two.
But Butte Central is loaded with good shooters and when one wasn’t making the shot, another was. They went on a run towards the end of the third quarter and pulled away to win, 62-47.
“We made mistakes that you can’t do against girls that good,” said “The later it got, we kind of dug our own hole. Every time you make a mistake, they are going to make you pay, every time”
Butte Central 62, Corvallis 47
Butte Central – Thatcher 15, Bolton 4, Peoples 16, Sorini 2, St. John 19, Strizic 2, Holm 4.
Corvallis – Steffani Stoker 1, Calla Haldorson 12, Emme Warnken 8, Corrinne Sanderson 13, Lainie Albright 11, Taylor Wright 2.
On Saturday, the Blue Devils took on another top team, the Columbia Falls WildKats. Corvallis had the lead for a short time but then the WildKats got hot. They went on two win, 84-48. Haldorson led the Blue Devil scoring with 15 points. Warnken added 12. Sanderson finished with eight, Albright with seven, Ketih with 2 and Taylor Wright with 3 points
The Lady Falcons pushed the undefeated Ronan Maidens throughout their game and only lost by one point. Florence had the lead at the end of three quarters but Ronan came back for the win. Dani Zahn had 30 points for Florence.
Ronan 61, Florence 60
Ronan – McCrea 13, Askon 2, Conko–Camel 10, A. Camel 18, Moss 4, Finley 2, L. Camel 12.
Florence – Autumn Round 6, Sarah Hopcroft 4, Jewel Zeiler 1, Rilee Mangun 11, Makenna Liles 4, Danielle Zahn 30, Chloe Arthur 4.
Florence rolled over Anaconda 70-35, thanks in part to a 21 point first quarter.
Florence 70, Anaconda 35
Anaconda – Sullivan 1, Seitzinger 10, Peterson 8, Fink 3, Saltenberger 7, Forsberg 6.
Florence – Round 3, Hopcroft 3, Mangun 14, Liles 7, Zahn 21, Arthur 18, Emily McLean 2, Madalyn Evans 2.
The Frenchtown Lady Broncs topped Florence in non-conference play, 45-29. Zahn had 10 points to lead the Lady Falcons.
Frenchtown 45, Florence 29
Frenchtown – Delaney 2, Williams 11, Cole 3, Statelen 3, Willett 2, Channer 2, Worster 14, Hinrichs 4, Hochhalter 4.
Florence – Round 5, Zeiler 2, Mangun 4, Liles 6, Zahn 10, Arthur 2.
Victor split their games over the weekend. They lost to Seeley on Friday but came back to top Philipsburg on Saturday, 43-26. Jamie Burdett had 12 points and Hailey Kay added 11 more in the win over Philipsburg.
Darby lost to Clark Fork on Friday and then lost to the tough Seeley team on Saturday.