Years ago, before dropping down to Class C, Darby was a Class B school and had success on the court, winning a couple of district championships. But since they moved back to Class C early this century, a district championship has eluded them, until now. Coach Wendell Griffin was the coach 28 years ago that won the district championship. Now he sits beside the head coach, Richard Griffin, (Wendell and Rosemary’s) son as the assistant coach.
The Tigers and the Blackhawks played their last conference game just a week ago and that came down to double overtime and a last second shot by Gabe Smith for the Tigers to win the game.
That didn’t happen this time. The Tigers came out on fire and blew out to a 14 point lead at the end of the first quarter while holding the Blackhawks to only four points. Darby’s swarming defense didn’t allow shots, nor even passes and created turnovers after turnovers. Although Seeley came back in the second quarter to score 18 points, Darby scored 19 and continued to have a double digit lead. The third quarter was more of the same by the Tigers. Seeley scored nine points but again, Darby doubled up on them and scored 18. The Tigers went on to win, 65-38.
Although Darby gave up a little in height with Seeley’s Owen Mercado at 6’7”, Brandon Winters and Cole Kayser stepped up with their rebounding and scoring to help theTigers. Winters finished with 17 points and Kayser had eight.
Darby will advance to the Western C Divisional at Butte Central’s MAC on Thursday. They will play Gardner at 9am on Thursday. Gardner is the No. 2 Seed from District 11C.
Darby Tigers – 65, Seeley-Swan 38
Seeley-Swan – Owen Mercado 14, Cordell Turner 6, Walker McDonald 2, Dakota Wood 2, Hunter Shelmerdine 2, Chance Johnson 9, Chase Haines 3.
Darby – Dylan Parks 16, Brandon Winters 17, Nelson Smith 13, Gabe Smith 9, Deric Parks 2, Cole Kayser 8.
Darby, as the No. 1 seed in the tournament, drew a first round bye. Their first game of the tournament was against Clark Fork on Friday. Darby’s Dylan Parks quickly got the tempo going for Darby, dropping in seven points in the first frame and 10 in the second. Parks finished with 26 points in the game. Nelson Smith went up against Michael Spence, who outweighed Smith by about 30 pounds, and held Spence to only 10 points while scoring 19 himself. Darby went onto win, 67-50.
“They are playing team ball out there,” said Coach Richard Griffin who went on to say the Tigers were playing very disciplined and waiting for opportunities. D
Darby 67, Clark Fork 50
Darby – Dylan Parks 26, Nelson Smith 19, Brandon Winters 11, Gabe Smith 7, Tyler Davis 2. Cole Kayser 2.
Clark Fork – Bryan Mast 20, Michael Spence 10, Aaron Waddle 7, Danner Haskins 7, Carson Callison 6.
Victor opened their tournament play against Valley Christian on Thursday. The Pirates opened up firing and quickly gained the lead. Tristin Chavez led all scorers with 24 points and led the Pirates to a 62-42 victory. The Pirates played a strong half court defense and kept after the Eagles, creating turnovers and scoring opportunities.
Victor 62, Valley Christian 42
Victor – Tristin Chavez 24, Skyler Webberson 18, Jarod Halley 12, JD Kay 3, Cameron Moore 2, Carson Varner 2, Christian Moevao 1.
Valley Christian – Casey Reimer 9, Riley Reimer 9, Brennan Cox 8, Ty Messner 8, Branson Becker 6, Cameron Fritz 2.
With the win, the Pirates advanced to the semi finals where they met up with Seeley Swan who had a first round bye. Victor jumped to an early lead but then Seeley found their focus and began to pull away. Skyler Webberson led the Pirates with 14 points with his slicing to the basket for layups. But the Pirates had no answer for Mercado and Turner who combined for 40 points in the 69-41 Seeley win.
Seeley-Swan 69, Victor 41
Victor – Skyler Webberson 14, Mason Agee 11, Tristin Chavez 6, Garritt Gleason 6, Cameron Moore 2, Jacob Boucher 2
Seeley-Swan – Owen Mercado 21, Cordell Turner 19, Chance Johnson 14, Hunter Shelmerdine 7, Lane Mackie-Wendel 3, Walker McDonald 3, Seth Richardson 2.
With the loss, Victor moved to the consolation bracket where they played Lincoln. The first quarter was close with Webberson and Chavez combining for 12 points to push Victor to four point lead. Then the Pirate offense really got going and built up a 20 point lead. They went on to take the game, 65-32. Webberson finished with 23 points in the win.
Victor 65, Lincoln 3
Lincoln – Ryan Greenwood 5, Jager Vossler 6, Bridger Kamps 2, Brodi Henderson 6, Kade Creech 4, Aziah Blotkamp 2, Noah Belcher 7.
Victor – Mason Agee 6, Canyon Parks 2, Tristin Chavez 13, Skyler Webberson 23, Caleb Rockwood 3, Jacob Boucher 2, J.D. Kay 4, Carson Varner 4, Cameron Moore 8.
Victor then had to play Clark Fork for third place just four hours after the Lincoln game. Clark Fork had had a tough game in their loser out game and their legs were a little rubbery. There was only a two point difference at the end of the first quarter with Victor on top. But the Pirates could not find a basket in the second quarter and only scored one point when Cameron Moore hit a free throw. Clark Fork had a 14 point lead. The Pirates roared back and took the lead in the third quarter behind Mason Agee, Webberson and Chavez’ determined play.They had a two point lead at the buzzer. The four quarter was back and fourth with only one or two points separating the teams. As the clock ticked down, Victor went up by four points but then a trey by Bryan Mask pulled Clark Fork back within one. Another shot by Clark Fork gave them a one point lead. Victor had the last possession and missed their first shot but got the rebound. Time ran out as Chavez shot the ball with a Clark Fork player on his arm. The shot was off and Victor lost, 54-53.
Clark Fork 54, Victor 53
Victor – Mason Agee 11, Jerod Halley 5, Tristin Chavez 12, J.D. Kay 2, Cameron Moore 1, Christian Moevao 2, Skyler Webberson 20.
Clark Fork -Carson Callison 5, Danner Haskins 6, Korey Radford 6, Michael Spence 9, Aaron Waddle 8, Bryan Mask 20.