It was not the tournament the Lady Broncs wanted but perhaps they got rid of the jitters and will be able to focus on their game at the Western A Divisional tournament this week in Butte at the Butte Civic Center. Hamilton, the No. 4 seed from the Southwest A, will play Browning, the No. 1 seed from the Northwest A, at 8 p.m. on Thursday.
As the leader of the district, Hamilton had a first round bye at the Southwest A district tournament. They opened their play against Frenchtown on Friday night in the semi finals. Frenchtown came out in a spread offense that seemed to puzzle the Lady Broncs. Used to running and playing a fast paced game, this strategy by Frenchtown gave them the edge. Hamilton’s Cariann Kunkel, who finished with 15 points, had a difficult time getting shots inside as did Lauren Ryter. Hamilton closed the gap to two points midway through the fourth quarter when Kunkel hit a basket and was fouled. She sank the free throw and on the next play, Mallory McGill stole a Frenchtown pass, dished it to Jorden Taggart who was fouled. Taggart hit the first free throw but missed the second. The gap was down to one point. Frenchtown scored five points before Hamilton could score again. Frenchtown won, 49-41.
Frenchtown 49, Hamilton 41
Hamilton – Cariann Kunkel 15, Lauren Ryter 9, Tessa Della Silva 5, Jorden Taggart 4, Kara Nye 3, Mallory McGill 3, Tristy Searle 2.
Frenchtown – Williams 16, Willett 9, Shelton 9, Delaney 7, Bagnell 5, Bagnell 3.
With the loss, Hamilton had win the next game in order to move on to divisional. That game was against Stevensville on Saturday morning. The Lady Broncs came out strong and quickly built up a lead. Stevensville had a difficult time getting their offense going with Haley Kampka and Kayla Schmiedeke scoring six points each to lead the Lady Yellowjackets’ scoring.
Stevensville coach Jordan Hasquet said it had been a tough season but he had seen a lot of growth in his team. The loss for Evynne Alexander earlier this month to injury made a difference in their game.
Hamilton 51, Stevensville 25
Hamilton – Searle 11, McGill 10, Kunkel 10, Ryter 8, Della Silva 5, Madi Drake 3, Nye 2, Taggart 2.
Stevensville – Haley Kampka 6, Kayla Schmiedeke 6, Angel Richards 5, Hannah Fry 3, Maddie Paul 2, Megan Pendergast 2, Maddie Weber 1.
Hamilton then advanced to play Butte Central in the consolation game on Saturday afternoon. Butte Central defeated Corvallis to advance to the game.
Hamilton came out playing tough and had a five point lead at the end of the first quarter. But then Butte Central’s defense toughened up. Although Hamilton had a two point lead at the half but fell behind in the third quarter. Butte Central went on to win, 46-42. Kunkel finished with 15 points.
Butte Central 46, Hamilton 42
Butte Central – Thatcher 12, Bolton 8, Strizic 4, Michelotti 10, Murphy 2, Joyce 11.
Hamilton – Della Silva 6, Searle 6, Taggart 6, McGill 3, Kunkel 15, Ryter 6.
Stevensville opened their tournament against Dillon, the eventual champion. The Lady ‘Jackets played tough through the first half and only trailed by two points at the half. But Dillon’s offense game got going in the second half and they went on to win, 49-35.
Dillon 49, Stevensville 35
Dillon – Rouse 5, McKay 10, Petersen 9, Larson 2, Fitzgerald 18, Jones 5.
Stevensville – Weber 6, Pendergast 6, Praast 6, Richards 12, Kampka 5.
Corvallis opened against Frenchtown on Thursday. The Blue Devils tied with Frenchtown in the first quarter in the low scoring game. But Corvallis was only able to score two points in the second quarter. Frenchtown went on to win, 30-20.
Frenchtown 30, Corvallis 20
Frenchtown – Delaney 5, Williams 12, Bagnell 2, Willett 9, Channer 2.
Corvallis – Hannah Hutchison 8, Calla Haldorson 6, Hannah Martin 4, Tayler Wright 2.
Calla Haldorson scored 20 points in Saturday morning’s loser out game against Butte Central but it was not enough as Corvallis fell, 52-38. The Blue Devils fell behind in the first half and although they outscored the Maroons in the second half, it was not enough.
Butte Central 52, Corvallis 38
Corvallis – Haldorson 20, Martin 8, Denali Smith 6, Hutchison 4.
Butte Central – Michelotti 20, Thatcher 16, Bolton 6, Joyce 4, Strizic 2, Kelley 2.