Volume XX, Number 30

Wednesday, February 23, 2005

Sports at a Glance

All stories by Jean Schurman

Florence tops district for 'Step One'

Second place finish for Lady Falcons

Darby Lady Tigers takes third

The Florence Falcons completed their first step on the road to the state tournament March 10-12 in Belgrade. The senior-laden team swept through the ranks of the District 7B and came out unscathed and with the district championship trophy. According to senior co-captain Ryan Hansen of the Falcons, this was step one of the teamıs goals.

Florence defeated Superior, 61-48, Saturday night in Hamilton for the District 7B championship. Hansen had a career high 29 points for the night. "We just played hard on defense and worked for the easy shot," said Hansen.

The strategy worked very well for the Falcons. Although the game was never completely out of reach for Superior, the Falcons stuck to their game plan of using the clock up and taking the easy lay-up.

Florence's Mark Ward got their offense going with a couple of field goals and a trey. Doug Ward, Mark's twin brother, added another three point shot and Florence was off and running. By halftime, the Falcons had built a nine-point lead.

"We told them at half time that if we were patient, then we would win the game," said head coach John Parker. "Every minute that we use when we have the lead is going to help us." He went on to say the team did get a little tired. "We usually play six or seven players but (Mike) Kirby had the flu and we had to work around that." Kirby did play some but most of the rebounding chores fell to Hansen and Justin Moe.

Florence was patient throughout the second half, working the ball around and around until there was an open shot under the basket or Superior committed a foul. Although the score was only six points apart at the end of the third quarter, it was obvious that the Falcons were in control of the tempo of the game. As the time ticked away, a basket by Hansen or one by Moe or one of the Ward brothers was noted in the score book and one more step was made toward the championship.

"I'm just so proud of these boys," said Parker. "They worked this summer and worked so hard at practice. They worked at their grades and staying out of trouble. It's a privilege to coach these boys."

Parker said another part of the game strategy against Superior was to play straight up defense. "We usually press but Superior is so fast with Dustin Feasel and Blake Williams that we decided not to."

Florence, along with Superior, Deer Lodge and Darby, advances to the Western B Divisional in Polson beginning March 3rd. Florence will be the No. 1 seed in the tournament.

Championship
Florence 61, Superior 48
Florence -- Doug Ward 5, Mark Ward 9, Derek Zeiler 4, Ryan Hansen 29, Justin Moe 10, Mike Kirby 2. Superior -- Suckow 2, Neu 10, Williams 6, Smith 2, Feasel 17, Stroot 4, Gaston 7.

Florence defeated Darby, 65-45, in semi final action on Thursday night. After having a bye Wednesday, the Falcons were ready to play. Darby defeated Deer Lodge to advance to play the Falcons in the semi finals.

Darby came out strong and kept the Falcons on their toes in the first half. Although Florence at one time had a nine-point lead, the Tigers came back to pull to within four points at the end of the first half. Travis Schallenberger had two baskets for Darby and Noah Stout sank a bucket and then stole the ball back and sank another shot to fire the Tigers up.

"That first half was lackluster," said Parker of Florence. "I don't know why it was. We were ready to go." He went on to say his team is solid and he knew that eventually things would come around. "We had to be like a sledge hammer on defense, simple, relentless and vicious. We don't give up. That's the kind of stuff that works."

The defense of the Falcons kept Darby from getting into any sort of offensive rhythm while the Falcon offense stepped up. Hansen had 11 points in the quarter and Kirby added seven more.

The fourth quarter was more of the same with Moe stepping up and playing big under the basket. He came through with 12 of his 15 points on the night in the fourth quarter. "I like to play here, it's my favorite gym. I was playing hard and getting the shots and the fouls, that's just part of my game to play hard," said Moe.

Hansen had 21 points to lead the Falcons. Moe added 15 and Kirby 11 for the night. Darby was led by Cody Ralston's 14 points.

Darby defeated Deer Lodge in the opening game of the tournament, 65-44. The game saw several turnovers by both Darby and Deer Lodge but Darby was able to convert the turnovers into points. Scott Theissen controlled the boards on both ends of the court. By the end of the first half, Darby was ahead by 10 points. The Tigers continued to harass the Wardens and came away with the win. Ralston had 18 points and Scott Theissen added 17 in the game.

After running up against Florence in the semi finals, the Tigers had to defeat Seeley in loser out action. This was their third game in a row but the Tigers were not any worse for the wear. Darby dominated the young Seeley team, and took a 17 point lead into the locker room at the half. Darby continued to control the game and defeated the Blackhawks, 58-37. Ralston had 21 points and Theissen had 18.

The victory was a ticket to the Western B Divisional as well as to the consolation game. "We're pretty excited to be going to divisionals. Playing four straight games was tough but we had something to prove," said coach Steve Gideon of Darby.

The consolation game was deja vu all over again with the Powell County Wardens making the game as well. This time the Wardens, who had not advanced to Divisional in seven years, were fired up and ready to play. They defeated Missoula Loyola to make the consolation game.

The Tigers were fired up as well but their legs were getting tired. Darby played right with Deer Lodge, matching them almost point for point in the first half. The half ended when sophomore Brad Theissen hit a long trey from the top of the key at the buzzer. Brother Scott was right there to give a congratulatory hug for the bucket which pulled the Tigers within one point of the lead.

Deer Lodge made a run in the third quarter while Darby's offense hit the wall. The Tigers had run out of steam. Ralston had 14 points to lead the Tigers.

"Our team chemistry is working well," said Gideon. "This is just about the best we've played in terms of distributing the ball." Gideon took over four weeks ago as head coach for Darby. "I've had 10 practices and 10 games so far," he added.

In District 13C, the Victor Pirates lost to Alberton, 56-44, in the opening round of play. Victor came back to stop Lincoln, 64-57 but lost to Philipsburg in the consolation game Saturday night.

The Lady Falcons of Florence had their work cut out for them at the District 7B tournament in Hamilton. They entered the tournament as the number three team and as such, did not receive a bye. They opened against Deer Lodge.

The game was slow moving with both teams showing some nerves. Erin Dean of Florence scored the first basket and Kristin Person scored the only other field goal of the first quarter. Deer Lodge led by two at the half.

The third quarter was more of the same with Deer Lodge making their shots and Florence playing to keep up. The score was still tied at the end of regulation play. Person hit three of four free throws and a field goal to pulled the Lady Falcons over the Powell County team. Person was eight of 12 from the charity line and finished with 14 points to lead her team. Florence shot just under 30 percent from the field but controlled the rebounding.

"A win is a win," said Bryan Neuman, coach of the Lady Falcons. "We tried to force the offense and it didn't work."

After narrowly squeaking by, the Lady Falcons then took on Loyola who finished in second place in conference play. Neuman predicted his team would rise to the occasion and they did. The Lady Falcons came out fired up and ready to play. But so did Loyola. The teams traded points and stayed neck and neck until the fourth quarter. Then the Falcon defense went to work. Only three points were scored by Loyola in the fourth quarter while Florence went on to score 12 points and take the 51-45 victory and advance to the championship.

Aly Henderson had 12 points and Liz Ashworth and Heather Martin each added 11 for the Lady Falcons.

Seeley-Swan had not lost a game this season and they weren't about to tarnish that record Saturday night. The Blackhawks are tall, athletic and can shoot the lights out of a gym. But, earlier in the tournament, the Darby Lady Tigers kept pace with them for a half and so Florence, at least on paper, figured they would be able to also. Seeley came out strong and never looked back. A steal by Heather Martin who dished to Liz Ashworth for a quick two points was the only lead Florence had all night. By the end of the first quarter, the Falcons were trailing by 10 points. By halftime, the team from up north had doubled the Lady Falcons. The final score -- Seeley-Swan 66, Florence 40. Dean led with 9 points for Florence.

The Lady Tigers of Darby, this team of juniors and seniors who have so much fun together playing on the court or sitting on the sidelines, have never advanced to divisionals. But this year, that all changed. The Lady Tigers of Darby defeated Loyola, took third place in the District 7B tournament and will now move on to play one more weekend, and who knows, maybe two more weekends.

"It's awesome,"said senior Linda Hall. "We've been working so hard for the last summer and this season. We are all so close and it's awesome because we are so close."

Darby defeated Loyola, 65-61, for third place. They came out ready to play and soon had a six point lead behind the shooting of Amy Hamilton. Loyola came back in he second quarter and took the lead briefly prior to the half. A trey by Whitney Banks of Darby at the buzzer gave Darby the lead going into the third quarter.

The Lady Tigers were hot, shooting 47 percent in the second half and built up a 17 point lead. If there was an open look by the Lady Tigers, the basket was theirs.

But Loyola is a seasoned, well coached team and soon clawed their way back into the thick of things. "I told the team it that even though we were a few points ahead, it wasn't enough. We had to keep playing."

Amy DeGroot of Loyola scored 13 points in the fourth quarter to bring the Heartbreakers within striking distance. A trey by DeGroot with 20 seconds remaining pulled Loyola within one point however on the next play, Janelle Hilton was fouled and sunk one of two shots. Four seconds later, she was again fouled and this time she sank both shots. Loyola could not get off another shot and the Lady Tigers won, 65-61. Hamilton had 21 points and Banks added 16 points.

Darby defeated Superior, 56-35 in opening round play. Jenna Blue had 15 points and Amy Hamilton 12 in the game.

Seeley-Swan stopped Darby after a tough first half in the semi final game. The Blackhawks held Darby to only six points in the third quarter and then scored 18 in the fourth to ice the 64-49 win. Hamilton had 16 points and Blue 14.

Darby defeated Deer Lodge Friday in loser out action. The Lady Tigers took the lead early and never looked back as they defeated Deer Lodge, 61-30. Linda Hall had 14 and Blue added 11.

In 13C tournament action, the Victor Lady Pirates lost to Lincoln, 56-36, in opening play. The came back to defeat Philipsburg, 41-37, and move into the consolation play where they played Alberton. Victor lost to Alberton 62-49.