Woulda, coulda, shoulda. That was the story of the Florence Falcons’ semi final game Friday night against Columbus. If the Falcons would have taken care of the ball a little better, if they could have made it to the free throw line more, they should have won the semi final game and played for the championship. But they turned the ball over 15 times compared to Columbus’ five times. They went to the free throw line just four times in the game and although they sank three of the four free throws, Columbus sank 10 of 13. Florence shot 62 percent while the Cougars only shot 37 percent. Columbus prevailed, winning 50-49.

Florence regrouped Saturday morning and came back to defeat Whitehall in the morning loser out game and then held on to defeat Shelby for its second third place finish in two years.

“It’s not where we wanted to be,” said coach Sam Baerlocher. “But we finished with a win. That’s ok.”

Florence came out strongly in the semi final game against Columbus and led throughout the first half behind the play of Quinn Smith. He racked up 12 of his 18 points in the first half as well as dominated the boards for rebounds. But as with any state tournament game, there are no slouches and Columbus was up for the challenge.

Florence led by four at the half but an adjustment in the man-to-man defense by Columbus slowed down the Falcon offense and created turnovers. Three Falcons each had three or more fouls early in the third quarter, which kept the pressure off of Columbus. By the end of the third quarter, the game was tied at 41 all.

Coach Sam Baerlocher called a time out with five minutes left and the game tied at 43 to set up an inbounds play that opened Smith up inside. The slam-dunk by Smith gave the Falcons an emotional push but Columbus again answered when Austin Dayton hit a short jumper to tie the game. Columbus took the lead when Louis Faust hit a long trey with 3:38 on the clock. Florence missed a couple of baskets and then turned the ball over but held Columbus scoreless in the next minute. Smith’s basket at 1:50 gave the Falcons the one-point lead. Another foul and a turnover gave Dayton the shot that put Columbus in the championship game.

Baerlocher said the very physical play of Columbus created some problems for Adam Greger, the Falcon’s leading scorer. “He went from being a scorer to being a screener,” sais Baerlocher. “They manhandled him so he changed his roll. That says a lot about Adam because he likes to shoot.”

Ryne Baerlocher tries to get past Columbus’ Louis Faust during the semi final game at the Class B state tournament in Great Falls. Florence finished third in the tournament. Jean Schurman photo.

Quinn Smith makes a block on a Columbus player’s shot during the State B tournament at Four Seasons Arena in Great Falls. Smith finished the game with five blocked shots.Jean Schurman photo.

Even with the tenacious defense on Greger, he still finished with 13 points. Smith, who Baerlocher said had probably 20 chances to shoot, never shot a free throw. Columbus finished with nine fouls while Florence had 17.

“This was the toughest loss I think I’ve ever experienced,” said Baerlocher. “I don’t think it was fair but then neither is life sometimes.”

Florence then had the task of playing a loser out game, winning it and then winning the consolation game. Baerlocher said it was a gut check for his team on Saturday morning.

“We got down 10 points to a very good team,” said Baerlocher. “Then we had to play catch up.”

Florence switched up their defense in the second half and held Whitehall to only 10 points in the second half. Smith and Greger powered their way to the basket for rebounds and points. By the end of regulation play, the Falcons had tied Whitehall at 34-all. They went on to score 13 points in the overtime period and win, 47-41.

Shelby had defeated Bigfork Saturday morning to advance to the consolation game. Baerlocher said Shelby was as good a team as there is in the state.

“They reminded me of Corvallis (whom Florence lost to twice this season) with their great outside shooting and they are very well coached,” said Baerlocher.

Shelby led from the tip off with strong shooting and a tough defense. As is the norm with consolation games, both teams are a bit tired and low scoring games are not uncommon. The Falcons tied the game for almost 90 seconds with the game tied at 40 and time running out. Greger was fouled but it was a non-shooting foul so Florence had one last chance to keep from playing a second overtime game. With two defenders on both Greger and Smith, Adam Huot took the in bounds pass and sank the bunny for the 42-40 win and third place finish.

Florence opened their tournament play with a win over Broadus on Thursday. After a slow beginning, the Falcons went on to win, 62-37. Ryne Baerlocher and Greger led the Falcons with 14 points each.

Florence 62, Broadus 37

Broadus - Dillon Isaak 5, Taylor Rumph 7, Austin Stradinger 7, Tell Shannon 7, Pete Wenzel 6, Bryden Buhmann 3, James Riley 2,

Florence - Ross Mangun 6, Ryne Baerlocher 14, Adam Huot 6, Adam Greger 14, Quinn Smith 6, Chantz Hotsinpiller 2, Jon Johnson 8, Dylan Reynolds 2, Riley Phillips 2, Aaron Ward 2.

Semi Finals

Columbus 50, Florence 49

Florence - Ross Mangun 6, Ryne Baerlocher 6, Jon Johnson 4, Adam Huot 2, Adam Greger 13, Quinn Smith 18.

Columbus - Tyler Ostrum 9, Louis Faust 7, Tim Yeager 9, Tyler Roller 4, Taylor Noble 12, Austin Dayton 9.

Loser out

Florence 47, Whitehall 41 OT

Florence - Ryne Baerlocher 3, Adam Huot 1, Adam Greger 19, Quinn Smith 21, Chantz Hotsinpiller 1, Aaron Ward 2.

Whitehall - Casey McLean 19, Dawson Patritti 3, Sean McCarthy 6, Brady Murphy 5, Layne Simon 4, Bryce Murphy 4,

Consolation

Florence 42, Shelby 40

Florence - Ross Mangun 4, Ryne Baerlocher 9, Chantz Hotsinpiller 2, Adam Huot 5, Adam Greger 12, Quinn Smith 7, Aaron Ward 3

Shelby - Brennan Hayes 5, Chase Ballantyne 9, Chase White 21, Matt Alford 2, Jordyn Irvin 3.

Dragon Brigade begins tenth season

The Dragon Brigade started their tenth season with a trip to Bountiful, Utah for the Second Annual Sport Karate Classic. This tournament was well attended with just over 250 competitors. Teams attending were from Montana, Wyoming, and Utah. Competition was fierce with five National Black Belt Championship teams competing.

Hamilton Tae Kwon-Do’s Bitterroot Dragon Brigade did well, winning the “most supportive school” award. The Brigade’s team form teams won 1st and 3rd in their divisions, and the team sparring teams took two second places and a third. Every first place trophy in all breaking divisions went to a Dragon Brigade competitor. Overall the trip was successful, with 8-year-old team member Kyle Guisinger of Hamilton winning grand champion.

Individual results:

Flag sparring: 1. Karik Wise; 3. Jacob Luedeck; 1. Emily Neville; 3. Emma Decker; 2. Michael Whippie; 1. Jessie Devine, 2. Jamie Guisinger.

Breaking: 1. Tony Shelton; 1. Patrick Fulbright; 1. Cecilia Ponce; 1. Luis Ponce; 1. Jered Guisinger; 2. Alex Dang; 3. Michael Johnson.

Weapons: 2. Katie Exner; 3. Becca Lyons; 3. Kacia Guisinger

Forms: 2. Jamie Guisinger; 3. Jered Guisinger; 1. Christopher Passey; 2. Karik Wise; 1. Kyle Guisinger; 1. MacKenna Davey; 1. Kacia Guisinger; 2. Jamison Wright; 3. Arielle Jenkins-Bumbargar; 3. Cecilia Ponce; 3. Luis Ponce; 3. Joel Haas; 2. Jacob Luedecke; 3. Emma Decker

Point sparring: 2. Amity Allen; 2. Joel Haas; 3. Dominic Meador; 1. Jacob Luedecke; 3. Emily Neville; 3. Karik Wise; 2. Jenna Guisinger; 1. MacKenna Davey; 3. Cecilia Ponce; 3. Tony Shelton; 2. Izzy McClain; 2. Michael Whippie; 3. Jessie Devine; 3. Eli Jessop; 2. Tianna Meador; 2. Becca Lyons; 2. Sarah Jessop; 3. Katie Exner; 3. Michael Johnson; 3. Patrick Fulbright; 1. Jered Guisinger; 3. Jamie Guisinger.

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