Wednesday, February 6, 2008

Sports at a Glance

All stories by Jean Schurman

Corvallis grapplers win Conference Girls Basketball - Hamilton splits Florence topples Victor in OT

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There will be 15 wrestlers from Corvallis hitting the mats at the Metra this weekend at the All Class Montana State Wrestling Championships. The Blue Devils brought home their second conference championship in two years from the Southwestern Divisionals in Dillon over the weekend. Now they are looking to bring home hardware from the state meet. Of those 15 wrestlers who qualified, five are going as conference champions. Steven Jessop topped Curtis Sprague of Frenchtown for the championship at 119. Taylor Allen upset Logun Norris of Dillon who was ranked No. 3 in the state. Landon DellaSilva held on to his No. 1 seed by defeating Brandon Robinson of Dillon. Danny Gates topped Brock Anderson of Hamilton and Dennis Jessop defeated Hamilton’s Paul Donaldson. Also qualifying for Corvallis were Levi Gingerich at 98, Vlade Joyner at 105, Stephen DuBose at 112, Seth Pelkey at 125, Morgan Williams at 135, Andy Jessop and Ethan Burt at145, Chris Jessop at 189, Dan Sanderson at 215 and Jeff Markette in the heavyweight division. Hamilton finished fourth and will take ten wrestlers to Billings. The Broncs had three champions. Alex Martin, ranked No. 2 in the standings, defeated Torrey Vezinna of Dillon for the championship. Brady Anderson topped Chris Jessop of Corvallis at 189 and Wes Sherman defeated Keith Brandt of Frenchtown in the heavyweight division. Also qualifying for the Broncs were Troy Haake at 119 and Matt Skaw at 125, Trevor Capp at 152, Colton Weigle at 160, Brock Anderson at 171, Paul Donaldson at 189 and Jacob Reimschmidt in the heavyweight class. Southwestern A Team scores – Corvallis 212, Frenchtown 191.5, Anaconda 153, Hamilton 141, Dillon 135. 98 – 3. Levi Gingerich, Corvallis. 105 – 4. Vlade Joyner, Corvallis. 112 – 5. Stephen DuBose, Corvallis 119 – 1. Steven Jessop, Corvallis, 3. Troy Haake, Hamilton, 125 – 3. Matt Skaw, Hamilton, 4. Seth Pelkey, Corvallis 130 – 1. Taylor Allen, Corvallis, 5. Kalob Ledford, Hamilton 135 – 1. Landon DellaSilva, Corvallis, 4. Morgan Williams, Corvallis, 6. Dillon Wood, Hamilton 140 – 2. Nathan DuBose, Corvallis, 5. Duston Stephens, Corvallis, 6. Leif Holm, Hamilton. 145 – 1. Alex Martin, Hamilton; 3. Andy Jessop, Corvallis, 4. Ethan Burt, Corvallis, 6. Troy Capp, Hamilton 152 – 3. Trevor Capp, Hamilton; 5. Brett Goodsell, Corvallis. 160 – 2. Colton Weigle, Hamilton, 5. Nick Herra, Corvallis. 171 – Danny Gates, Corvallis, 2. Brock Anderson, Hamilton, 6. Fritz Robertson, Hamilton 189 – 1. Brady Anderson, Hamilton, 2. Chris Jessop, Corvallis, 215 – 1. Dennis Jessop, Corvallis 2. Paul Donaldson, Hamilton, 3. Dan Sanderson, Corvallis, 5. Justin Sharbono, Hamilton Hwt – 1. Wes Sherman, Hamilton, 3. Jeff Markette, Corvallis, 4. Jacob Reimschmidt. Hamilton While Hamilton and Corvallis were in Dillon, Darby and Florence and 11 other schools were at the Western B/C Divisional in Darby. Arlee took home the team championship but Florence and Darby will be sending wrestlers to the Metra. Florence had wrestlers on both ends of the scale bring home a championship. Corbin Newbary won the 98 pound division while Craig Ashworth won the 189 division. Florence will send eight wrestlers while Darby sends four. Western B-C Team Scores – Arlee 157.5, Thompson Falls 154, St. Ignatius-Charlo 142.5, Florence 131, Plains-Hot Springs 100.5, Deer Lodge 100, Eureka 98, Darby 78, Superior 59.59, Drummond 54, Summit School 14, Noxon 11, Loyola 6. Championship 98 – 105 – Corbin Newbary, Flo, pinned Kenneth Beach, Pla 3:35; 189 – Craig Ashworth, Flo, pinned Mike Hines, Pla 1:44; Consolation 125 – Cody Lund , Flo, pinned Dalton Roundy, Dar, 6-2; 135 – Taylor Vaughn, Eur, dec Brennen Lund, Flo 7-0; 140 – Ben Hauptman, Dru pinned Kolter Beneitone, Flo 1:45; 160 – Kyle Maki Dar, dec. Justin Richardson, Dar, 87-5; 171 – Josh Marquardt, Flo, dec Austin Thompson, Pla 7-2; 215 – Kacee Sutton, Flo, pinned Jake Durglo Si-C 4:49; Hwt – Christian Skeers, Flo, pinned Kirk Comer, DL :16.

Alex Martin of Hamilton and Andy Jessop of Corvallis. Brady Anderson of Hamilton and Chris Jessop of Corvallis. Corbin Newbary of Florence. Wes Sherman of Hamilton.

Hamilton's Misha Trotter looks at her options during the Hamilton Lady Bronc game against Anaconda. Anaconda defeated Hamilton 53-36. Jean Schurman photo.

Girls Basketball - Hamilton splits Hamilton ran into a very tough Copperhead team from Anaconda on Saturday night. The Lady Broncs scored first when junior Ashley Albert hit a short jumper, but that was the last score of the quarter for the Hamilton team as Anaconda sealed the conference championship with a 53-36 victory. Hamilton tried everything they could to contain future Lady Griz Ali Hurley and company but were matched at every turn. Although Hurley was held to seven points, sophomore Torey Hill picked up the slack with 22 points. Albert and Misha Trotter each had 11 points for Hamilton.

Hamilton defeated Florence, 39-30, on Friday. Dayna Moerkerke pulled down seven rebounds and had six points for the Lady Broncs. Misha Trotter, one of the shorter players on the court, pulled down four rebounds and had three assists and seven points for Hamilton.

Florence was led by Katie Niemeier’s seven points.

Florence 73, Victor 30

The Lady Falcons were led by senior Brooke Zeiler’s 20 points in the non conference game. Katie Niemeier added 13 for Florence. Victor was led by freshman Liz Taylor’s 20 points, including six three pointers.

Victor – Savannah Mitcham 1, Katie McCormick 2, Katie Morrizumi 1, Britany Mitcham 3, Caroline Etter 3, Elizabeth Taylor 20

Florence – Lindsey Bauck 6, Brooke Zeiler 20, Jordan Rick 8, Katie Niemeir 13, Odessa Connelly 5, Taylor Shepherd 7, Jo Johnston 8, Kristina Kmetekova 6.

Valley Christian 49, Darby 46

Darby came back from a seven point deficit to take the lead at the end of three quarters but they couldn’t hold on and fell to the Valley Christian eagles, 49-46.

Darby was led by Mariah Cress’ 17 points.

Valley Christian – Cross 6, Moore 2, Hartzell 14, Truitt 8, Kesler 18, Cross 1.

Darby – Kayla Schallenberger 6, Missy DeWalt 14, Lindsey Trowbridge 4, Mariah Cress 17, Rachel Wetzsteon 5.

Loyola topped Stevensville, 68-45. Freshman Blaire Brookeshire led the Lady ‘Jackets with 13 points.

Loyola – Anderson 2, Harrington 3, Kuntz 1, Mansch 15, Janssen 2, Priddy 5, Porch 2, Lamey 1, Britteny Anderson 26, Maderos 11.

Stevensville – Sherry Walters 12, Allison Jones 4, Izzy Miller 4, Brekka Johnson 3, Lindsey Thorstad 1, Alexa Omlid 5, Maddie Jones 3, Blaire Brookeshire 13.

Drummond defeated Victor, 50-26. Liz Taylor had 10 points for the Lady Pirates.

It took the Florence Falcons four quarters and an overtime period but they got the job of defeating the Victor Pirates done, winning by four points, 63-59. By the end of the game, the gym was rocking and both the Falcon fans and the Pirate faithful were on their feet, cheering their teams on.

The Pirates didn’t come out quite as strong as they have been and Florence took advantage of that early in the game. Victor had the lead at the end of the first quarter but Florence came back in the second. Victor stayed with the Falcons and came back to take a two point lead at the end of three quarters. But the Falcons were not done.

“Sam (Baerlocher) had his team prepared,” said Victor coach Jay Jagelski. “I take full responsibility. We weren’t prepared and he was.”

The Florence team who Baerlocher says are young – they start three sophomores – could be considered veterans by this time of the season. They calmly went to work playing tough defense and working their way through the swarming defense of Victor.

“Victor is a very good team. They are a total team,” said Baerlocher. “Our boys played their roles very well, each one did what they had to do to get the win.”

Brandon Lorensen hit a long two point shot to tie the game. Tyler Swanson of Victor sank a short jumper from the top of the key and the Pirates were ahead again. For each Falcon shot, there was a Pirate shot, too.

Victor began to edge ahead after Eric Taylor hit a trey. But then Trevor Stoos hit an inside shot for Florence to pull within range again. With the clock ticking down, the nerves of both teams were on edge. Lorensen hit a trey to tie the game with over two minutes remaining in the game and that was the last scoring in the fourth quarter.

The Falcons went to the charity line ten times in the extra stanza and sank all but two of the free throws. Victor had their opportunities at the line and from the court but just couldn’t get the ball to fall their way.

Victor was led by Eric Taylor’s 22 points. Reid Baerlocher and Lorensen each had 16 points but the Falcons were led by senior Damon Moe’s 21 points.

Victor – Gatlin Lamb 3, Eric Bissett t5, Tyler Swanson 14, Eric Taylor 22, Mark Frye 13, Josh Hixon 2.

Florence – Reid Baerlocher 16, Brandon Lorensen 16, Damon Moe 21, Max Burns 4, Trevor Stoos 6.

Victor was host to District 13C rival Drummond on Saturday. The Pirates had honed their defense and came out fighting against the Trojans. They held Drummond to only four points in the second quarter on their way to a 65-47 victory.

“Drummond is a very athletic team,” said Jagelski. “It was a good win.”

Victor kept the margin between 15 and 20 points for most of the second half but not without a fight from Drummond. A lapse in the Pirates’ concentration near the end of the third quarter allowed Drummond to pare the lead down to 11 points. But a steal by Eric Bissett and a lay up fired the Pirates back up and they cruised to the win.

“We have to be patient on our offense,” said Jagelski. “After losing to Florence, we saw we weren’t getting all five guys involved. We did that tonight.”

Senior Eric Taylor celebrated Senior Night with 22 points.

Drummond – Hauptman 2, A. Verlanic 2, Rohrer 3, Bignell 4, J. Mannix 2, N. Mannix 9, Coughlin 5, Reynolds 7, C. Verlanic 13.

Victor – Bissett 9, Mai 4, Swanson 9, Taylor 22, Frye 8, Lamb 11, Sacks 2.

In other boys basketball action, Loyola topped Stevensville in another non conference game on Thursday, 64-51. The Yellowjackets were unable to crack the Loyola half-court defense in the first quarter and were held to only seven points. But the ‘Jackets came back in the middle two periods to pull within three points before Loyola pulled away for good. Junior Ethan Pateman had 15 points to lead the ‘Jackets.

Stevensville – Drew Zeiler 13, Boone Chambers 8, Nick Dahlquist 6, Richie Brushia 6, Ethan Pateman 15, Logan Creech 3.

Loyola – Cuffe 10, Hollenback 11, DeGroot 23, Zach Balcom 13, Mitzell 5, Chilton 2.

The Hamilton Broncs traveled to Anaconda on Saturday for a Southwestern A game. After leading at the half by six points, the Broncs scored only three points in the third quarter. But they didn’t give up and roared back to score 38 points in the fourth quarter and take the 69-51 win.

Senior Evan Green had 17 points for the Broncs. Fellow teammates Jason Schallenberger and Ryan Turley also scored in double figures with Schallenberger scoring 12 and Turley 11 points. The Broncs are now 4-3 in conference play and 7-7 overall.

Hamilton defeated Florence in non conference action on Friday. The Broncs defeated Florence, 53-47. Jason Schallenberger had 17 points for the Broncs. Reid Baerlocher led the Falcons with 14 points.

Dillon defeated Corvallis, 62-49. The Blue Devils took an early lead but couldn’t hold on as the defending state champions pulled away. Senior Matt Smith scored 15 points and freshman Rodee Anderson added 12.

Darby picked up an overtime win against Valley Christian, 67-64. It was the Tigers’ first conference win. Kyle Rider had 22 points for Darby and Dillon Oliver dropped in another 16.