“It wasn’t what we wanted,” stated coach Duane Zeiler. “But we start again for next year.”
The Lady Falcons were one of the strongest teams heading into the Western B tournament, even though, on paper, they looked to be young with only one senior on the team. They showed their muscle in the opening game against Thompson Falls when they scored 18 points in the opening frame of the game while holding the Lady Bluehawks to only six. Florence went on to win, 61-34. Danielle Zahn had 21 points to lead the Lady Falcons.
Florence 61, Thompson Falls 34
Thompson Falls -mRiley Wilson 2, Belle Cooper 6, Haley Morgan 1, Jody Detleff 10, Megan Baxter 15.
Florence- Emma Stensrud 6, Brooklyn Newbery 2, Jewel Zeiler 6, Rilee Mangun 12, Makenna Liles 14, Danielle Zahn 21.
That win put Florence into the semi finals where they met Deer Lodge. The Lady Falcons uncharacteristically struggled in the first quarter and were down by three at the end of the half. Zeiler said his team played good defense, they just couldn’t get their shots to fall. Deer Lodge went on to win, 36-32.
Deer Lodge 36, Florence-Carlton 32
Florence – Danielle Zahn 15, McKenna Davis 8, Rilee Mangun 5, Joey Janetski 3, Brooklyn Newbury 1.
Deer Lodge – Darcy Walker 12, Kamryn Scully 6, Mya Worth 5, Jesse Applegate 4, Ariel Clark 4, Riley Gray 3, Rachael Nicholson 2.
Florence had to play Anaconda in loser out action on Saturday morning. The Lady Falcons came out playing tough and quickly built a lead. They were challenged a bit in the third quarter but went on to win, 65-51. Zahn had 22 points, and she was aided by Makenna Liles with 19 points and Rilee Mangun with 10 points.
Florence-Carlton 65, Anaconda 51
Anaconda – Sydney Peterson 11, Megan Reich 7, Arieona Matson 6, Isabel Saltenberger 6, Logan Stetzner 12, Johannah Forsberg 9.
Florence-Carlton – Emma Stensrud 4, Joey Janetski 8, Jewel Zeiler 2, Rilee Mangun 10, Makenna Liles 19, Danielle Zahn 22.
Florence had to play Loyola in the consolation game. “I was a little nervous about playing Loyola but they we did what we needed to do.”
After trailing by one at the end of the first quarter, Florence went to town and won, 62-55. Liles had 21 points to lead her team.
Florence 62, Loyola Sacred Heart 55
Florence – Emma Stensrud 8, Brooklyn Newbary 2, Jewel Zeiler 4, Rilee Mangun 11, Makenna Liles 21, Danielle Zahn 16.
Loyola – Brooke Twite 6, Sam Clevenger 5, Syd Koppang 4, Violet Whitegrass 2, Tessa Burke 20, Kenna Guenther 5, Laney Denning 13.
Florence was hoping for an upset in the championship game between Bigfork and Deer Lodge. If Deer Lodge would have won, they could have challenged Bigfork. However Bigfork won and ended Florence’s hope.
The Florence boys opened their tournament play against Thompson Falls. The Falcons’ Marcus Zeiler was on fire and scored 40 points alone in the 69-42 win.
Florence 69, Thompson Falls 42
Florence – Tyce Pedersen 6, Marcus Zeiler 40, Brenden Bailey 2, Dillon Christopherson 5, Jacob Round 2, Brent Stroppel 10, Parker Hotsinpiller 4.
Thompson Falls – Danny Hoisington 15, Payton Frields 13, Nate Thibeault 9, Jake Long 5.
That win put Florence into the semi finals where they met up with rival Loyola. Florence took an eight point lead into the half but the Rams’ strong defense in the third quarter held Florence to only six points. Loyola went on to win, 53-45.
Loyola 53, Florence-Carlton 45
Florence – Marcus Zeiler 24, Parker Hotsinpiller 7, Tyce Pederson 4, Brent Stroppel 4, Brendon Bailey 2, Jacob Round 2, Dillon Christopherson 2.
Loyola – Joey McElroy 15, Jack Lincoln 13, Jacob Hollenback 12, Scotty Twite 7, Charles Burns 6.
Saturday morning, Florence took on Deer Lodge in loser out action. Deer Lodge won the first half with a 10 point lead at the break. However a strong second half by Florence gave them the 49-40 win.
Florence 49, Deer Lodge 40
Deer Lodge – Dyllon McDermid 13, Greydon Nicholson 11, Ben Anderson 7, Judd Applegate 7, Dalton Pauley 2.
Florence – Marcus Zeiler 16, Tyce Pederson 10, Brendan Bailey 10, Brent Stroppel 4, Parker Hotsinpiller 4, Dillon Christopherson 3, Jacob Round 2.
That win moved Florence into the consolation game where they met Anaconda. The game featured two of the top scorers in the state, Zeiler and Braxton Hill. Both were hot with Zeiler scoring 27 points and Hill scoring 23 points. Anaconda went on to win, 66-49.
Anaconda 66, Florence 49
Anaconda – Braxton Hill 23, Zeke Buck 13, Michael Galle 11, Braedon Sawyer 9, Trent Mikalatos 8, Dawson Weist 2.
Florence – Marcus Zeiler 27, Brent Stroppel 12, Jacob Round 4, Tyce Pederson 3, Dillon Christopherson 2, Brendan Bailey 1.