When a team makes it to the state basketball tournament, that is a huge accomplishment in and of itself. When that team goes into the tournament without a loss, that’s a lot of pressure. That was the case for the Hamilton Broncs this past weekend. The Broncs were undefeated going into the tournament but fell in the first game. However, there are only two teams that finish the tournament with a win, the champions and the third place winners. Hamilton defeated Browning for third place.
Hamilton met Browning, the No. 3 seed from the West, in the consolation game. Browning had lost to Billings Central in the semi finals on Friday night and had to top Frenchtown to advance to the consolation game. Hamilton lost to Billings Central in their opening game and then had to beat Belgrade and Lewistown before meeting Browning.
Both Hamilton and Browning played at 9 and 11 a.m. on Saturday. Hamilton had the earlier game. So both teams were a bit tired but ready to play at 6:30 Saturday night. The game was back and forth in the first quarter with Browning controlling the tempo. The Running Indians were ahead by as manias nine points before a three pointer by Tanner Goligoski and another by Bridger Bauder at the buzzer closed the gap to only three points. Goligoski sank six of 11 three point shots and finished with 27 points.
Browning made another run in the second quarter and had a five point lead before the Broncs got going and it was Goligoski that spurred the Broncs on with two more treys. The Broncs stayed close to Browning but still trailed by three at the half. Browning shot 75 percent from the field while Hamilton shot 50 percent. The third quarter saw the lead change again when Goligoski hit a two point shot. Browning tied the game several times but each time, Hamilton pulled ahead. Midway through the fourth quarter, Tyree Whitcomb of Browning hit a field goal to tie the game at 53 all. Hamilton extended their lead to as many as 10 points in the fourth quarter but Browning did not quit. Three free throws by Cam Rothie and one by Goligoski sealed the 74-69 win and third place.
Hamilton 74, Browning 69
Hamilton – Tanner Goligoski 27, Carter Kearns 16, Hunter Omlid 12, Cam Rothie 7, Bridger Bauder 6, Tyler Chouinard 4, Carson Rostad 2.
Browning – Tyree Whitcomb 26, Nathaniel Stiffarm 12, Brandon Aimsback 11, Deion Mad Plume 9, James Gilham 5, Justin Burd 2, CJ Smith 2, Ethan Running Crane 2.
Hamilton began the tournament at the Brick Breeden Field House in Bozeman looking calm and relaxed. However a couple of quick fouls by Hunter Omlid seemed to rattle the Broncs and Billings Central built up an 11 point lead in the first quarter. By the time the buzzer sounded, Hamilton was trailing by 13 and their confidence was lagging. Hamilton shot only 30 percent in the game with Carter Kearns leading the Broncs with 13 points. He had six rebounds and Carson Rostad pulled down eight. However, Billings Central controlled the boards with 42 rebounds.
Billings Central 64, Hamilton 37
Hamilton – Carter Kearns 13, Hunter Omlid 8, Bridger Bauder 6, Cam Rothie 4, Tanner Goligoski 4, Carson Rostad 2.
Billings Central – Chrishon Dixon 20, Sam Gray 17, Liam Clancy 10, Isaac Meyer 5, Joe Byorth 4, Seth Sasich 3, Jae Hugs 2, Cade Herriford 2, Johnny Day 1.
The Broncs then had to dig their way out to play on Saturday. They met up with Belgrade in loser out action on Friday. The game went back and forth with neither team gaining much of a lead. Belgrade led at the end of the first quarter by there points. But then a tip in by Bauder and two treys by Goligoski put Hamilton ahead by seven on a 10 point run. The Panthers went ahead in the final moments of the third quarter when Noel Reynolds hit a short bucket. Belgrade extended their lead to seven before Goligoski hit a couple of treys. Belgrade kept the pressure on and with just over four minutes remaining in the game, held a nine point lead. Then Kearns went to work. He sank two free throws and then turned around and hit a trey. Belgrade was still in the lead but the gap was closing. Kearns went to the charity line again, and again sank two free throws. The Belgrade lead was down to four points; but a foul by Rothie put Easton Page on the line for two free throws. The lead was again six points. Kearns hit a three pointer and then pulled down an offensive rebound and put the ball in for two more. The game was tied and less than 40 seconds remained. After a Belgrade miss, Hamilton got the rebound and drove to the basket. A screen by Tyler Chouinard set Rothie up for a shot. The shot was good and he was fouled. The free throw was also good and Hamilton had won, 66-63.
Hamilton 66, Belgrade 63
Hamilton – Cam Rothie 17, Tyler Chouinard 3, Hunter Omlid 12, Tanner Goligoski 12, Carter Kearns 18, Carson Rostad 2, Bridger Bauder 2.
Belgrade – Dawson Fowler 28, Easton Page 7, Noel Reynolds 12, Matt Walker 2, Austin Edwards 9, Jake Klonsinski 3, Spencer Gordon 2.
Hamilton met up with Fergus High School, Lewistown, in loser out action on Saturday morning. As with the other games, the two teams were well matched although Lewistown had a substantial height advantage. By the end of the first quarter, Hamilton trailed by two points. A trey by Kearns and a free throw by Bauder tied the game at 24-all midway through the quarter. The Golden Eagles and the Broncs traded baskets and were tied at the half. Another trey by Kearns midway through the third quarter gave the edge to Hamilton and then he added another to extend the lead. The Broncs kept the lead but Lewistown never backed off and came close several times in the final quarter. With the score at 60-57 and 15 seconds remaining, Lewistown shot the ball four times and missed each time. Rothie, one of the shortest players on the court, pulled down the rebound and held the ball as time ran out. Final score, Hamilton 60, Lewistown 57.
Hamilton 60, Fergus 57
Hamilton – Cam Rothie 13, Tyler Chouinard 2, Hunter Omlid 19, Tanner Goligoski 9, Carter Kearns 11, Bridger Bauder 6.
Fergus – Tanner Trafton 24, Jake Clinton 5, Wes Jameson 5, Jaden Graham 21, Landon Henderson 2.