The Lady Broncs of Hamilton just could not find the basket in overtime against the Polson Pirates on Saturday night in non-conference action. The two teams battled back and forth throughout the evening before Polson pulled ahead in overtime for the 53-46 win.
“We both had chances to go in there and kick some butt,” said Hamilton coach Don Faris. “But we just didn’t quite get it done when we had the opportunity.”
Hamilton took the lead with just under a minute and half left in regulation play when Rebecka Hood converted a steal and then Meghan Kratofil sunk two free throws. A turnover by Polson and another free throw, this time by freshman Taylor Goligoski gave the Lady Broncs a three-point edge. However Polson pulled back in when Mariah Hamel hit the basket with 20 seconds remaining in the fourth quarter.
With three freshmen and two seniors on the floor, Hamilton had a mixture of experience and inexperience on the floor in the extra period. Although they never lost their composure, a few minor mistakes turned into points for Polson.
Rebecka Hood had 13 points Goligoski added 12 more.
Polson 53, Hamilton 46 OT
Polson – Mackenzie Banner 4, Hamel 6, DiGiallonardo 13, Kenney 18, Rausch 9, Macall Banner 1, Bagnell 2.
Hamilton – Rebecka Hood 13, Taylor Goligoski 12, Casey Shifflett 3, Mary Conwell 5, Meghan Kratofil 8, Jaylee Albert 2, Brianna Huggans 3.
Stevensville split their games over the weekend. The Lady ‘Jackets upended Class AA Big Sky on Friday night in non-conference action and then lost to Butte Central in Southwest A action.
Stevensville outscored Big Sky 2-1 in the fourth quarter to take the 42-38 win after trailing the Eagles by six points at the end of three quarters. Alycia Sims was matched up against Elle Tinkle, one of the top players in Class AA. Although Sims got into some early foul trouble, the two battled back and fourth with Sims dropping in 13 points and Tinkle scoring 14 points. Kyla Paulsen added 11 points for the Lady Yellowjackets including two treys.
Stevensville 42, Big Sky 38
Stevensville – Bailey Vercruyssen 7, Baylee Bergman 5, Alycia Sims 13, Kyla Paulsen 11, Britney Chilcott 6.
Big Sky- Baker 10, Daugherty 5, Sedgwick 2, Tinkle 14, Johnson 5, Joyce 2.
Although Stevensville jumped out to an early lead, the Maroons came back in the second half to claim the 49-34 win. Sims finished with 13 points and Paulsen added nine points.
Butte Central 49, Stevensville 34.
Butte Central – Leary 16, McKeon 10, Kambich 8, Pica 6, Stajcar 5, Cooney 4.
Stevensville – Alycia Sims 13, Kyla Paulsen 9, Britney Chilcott 4, Carly Vercruyssen 4, Karly Sebastian 2, Bailee Bergman 2.
Florence has struggled in the past to put points on the board. If this weekend is any indication, the Lady Falcons have been putting in time shooting baskets. They defeated Ronan, 84-52, scoring in double figures in every quarter. Four Lady Falcons hit double figures. Cody Miller led the scoring with 19 points. Cassandra Skeers had 16 points followed by Ava Kollman’s 14 points and Megan Byrne’s 11 points.
Florence 84, Ronan 52.
Ronan – Howell 2, Clairmont 6, Frank 2, Clairmont 17, Madsen 8, Lynch 10, Grandchamp 7.
Florence – Megan Byrne 11, Cassandra Skeers 16, Courtney Byrne 6, Ava Kollman 14, Cody Miller 19, Carli O’Brien 9, Kyndall Hoff 2, Rosie O’Brien 7.
Florence jumped out to an early lead and then held off a late-charging Blue Hawk team to claim the non-conference game, 63-57. Three players scored double figures with Miller again having the hot hand. She dropped in 14 points. Kollman added 13 and Paige Bodner added 10 more.
Florence 63, Thompson Falls 57
Florence – Cass Skeers 5, Courtney Byrne 3, Paige Bodner 10, Ava Kollman 13, Cody Miller 14, Haley Huot 7, Carli O’Brien 6, Rosie O’Brien 5.
Thompson Falls – Cox 8, Fitchett 10, Sorlie 3, Fitchett 4, Padden 6, Vaught 6, Hanks 3, Beckman 17.
Darby nearly pulled off an upset of Lincoln on Saturday. With Halie Rennaker back on the court after an injury, the Lady Tigers took a commanding lead early in the game. But the Lynx came back to take the 43-41 win. Rennaker finished with 13 points and Lauren Dolcater added nine more for Darby.
Lincoln 43, Darby 41
Darby – Lauren Dolcater 9, Halie Rennaker 13, Brianna Massey 8, Keely Ehmann 6, Lacey Dolcater 5.
Lincoln – Bard 13, Menard 9, Fox 7, Denboer 6, Brady 4, Eisenzimer 4.
Corvallis lost to Missoula Sentinel on Thursday night. Victor’s games were postponed due to illness.