The battles between Butte Central and Hamilton have been epic this season with Butte Central coming out the winner last week at the district tournament. The Western A championship was a rematch of these two teams.
Butte Central quickly took control of the game and held a four point lead after the end of the first quarter. But even though the Broncs were having a tough time getting their shots to fall, they kept the margins close with only six points between them at the break.
Each team had nine turnovers Hamilton was unable to convert on all of them. Carson Rostad opened the fourth quarter with a inside shot and then Cam Rothie came back with another bucket. Hamilton applied pressure and Butte Central was called for a 10 second turnover. Rostad hit another inside shot with just more than five minutes remaining in the game and Hamilton was within three points. But fouls by the Broncs and long shooting by Butte Central gave them the lead and the Maroons went on to win, 46-47.
Butte Central 46, Hamilton 37
Butte Central – Braden Harrington 13, Cade Holter 9, Dylan Sestrich 8, Jared Simkins 7, Matt Simkins 4, Luke Heaphy 4, Gator Yelenich 1
Hamilton – Carson Rostad 12, Tanner Goligoski 11, Hunter Omlid 7, Camron Rothie 4, Trey Searle 3.
Hamilton’s big game was Friday night in the semi finals against the Dillon Beavers. Dillon is never one to overlook and Coach Travis Blome knew this and had his team prepared.
“We really came out and played hard,” said Blome. “We did a lot of little things right. I thought we rebounded really well and I thought that was probably our best defensive game of the year.”
Hamilton took an early lead and continued to build upon that lead. Dillon came close a couple of times but never more than three points. Cam Rothie was matched up against MSU signee Michael Haverfield. Haverfield is listed as 6’4” and Rothie is 5” 8” and about 40 pounds lighter. But Rothie held the big kid in check.
“I was really proud of Cam against Haverfield. He is a phenomenal player and Cam did a great job against him, he’s got a lot of heart.”
Tyler Barnes stepped outside his comfort zone and hit two of three treys. “We worked well getting the ball inside and kicking it back out and getting some threes. I think that helped us out a lot. I don’t shoot very many threes, probably the least on the team.”
Dillon stayed in the game and was only down by three at the end of three quarters. Dillon’s Bradley Rakich hit a jump shot which put the score at 37-36, Hamilton. The next play down, Tanner Goligoski, who had only scored two points in the game, hit a long three point shot and was fouled by Jace Fitzgerald. Goligoski sank the free throw and gave Hamilton some breathing room.
“Tanner, the shot he made in the fourth quarter, he won us the game,” said Blome.
Dillon only scored three more points in the game while Hamilton went on to win, 52-39.
Rostad led the Broncs with 14 points. Hunter Omlid had 11 and Tyler Barnes finished with 10 points.
Hamilton jumped out to an early lead and let by as many as 10 points before Whitefish was able to break the defense. Whitefish took the lead when Lee Walburn hit a bucket from inside. Hamilton came right back when Carson Rostad hit forty.But a long trey by Walburn put Whitefish up by two with the clock ticking down. Rostad hit the front end of a one and one shot but Whitefish got the rebound and Mark Anderson hit two to give Whitefish a three point lead at the half. 26-29. But Hamilton bounced back in the second half to make an 36 point half and go on to win, 62-51. Goligoski had17 points and was 8-of-10 from the charity line. Omlid finished with 14, Trey Searle with 12 and Rothie with 10. Rostad rounded out the scoring with nine points.