The dream ended Saturday morning for the Stevensville Yellowjackets. It ended at the hands of their nemesis, the Dillon Beavers. After winning their opening game at the State Class A Tournament in Billings, and losing their second game, the ‘Jackets just didn’t have enough left in their legs to take on a rested Dillon team.
Stevensville, the No. 1 seed from the Southwest, opened the tournament against the Laurel Locomotives, the second seed from the East. Stevensville took an early lead but the Locomotives pulled their way back into the game by the end of the third quarter. The Yellowjackets held on to win, 56-54. Drew Zeiler dropped in 22 points in the win. The ‘Jackets pulled down 41 rebounds including 23 by Ethan Pateman and Nick Dahlquist.
With the win, the ‘Jackets advanced to the semi finals where they met up with the Browning Indians. Browning is a running and gunning type team which gathers steam as the game progresses. That is exactly what happened on Friday. Stevensville stayed with the No. 1 team from the North through two quarters and had a two-point lead at the half. But then the Indians got going. They dropped in 22 points in the third while Stevi had 10. And for the final period, Browning scored 16 while Stevi had nine. Browning won, 69-52. Nick Dahlquist had 14 points for the Yellowjackets.
The loss sent the Yellowjackets to the Saturday morning loser out games where they met up with Dillon. Dillon, the defending state champion, had lost its first game to Billings Central. After losing that game, and losing to Stevensville in the championship game for the Southwestern A conference, the Beavers were determined to notch a win.
Saturday morning games are always tough. This is almost the only time all year that a team will play a game. Bodies aren’t working and minds aren’t awake. Stevensville only scored three points in the first quarter and dug themselves a hole they couldn’t get out of. Dillon cruised on to 71-46 win.
Stevensville was led by Dahlquist’s 13 points. The three-point shot that has been so lucky for Stevensville was nowhere to be seen Saturday morrning. The ‘Jackets shot 20 attempts but only connected on four of those shots. Dillon went to the charity line 41 times, connecting on 29 of those attempts while Stevi only went 13 times and sank six of those. There were 28 fouls called on Stevensville while Dillon had 15.
Browning took the championship, defeating Butte Central, 72-52. Dillon claimed third with a 56-41 victory over Billings Central.
Stevensville 56, Laurel 54
Stevensville 16 11 9 20 - 56
Laurel 11 13 10 20 - 54
Stevensville – Drew Zeiler 7-13 7-13 22, Boone Chambers 2-5 4-6 9; Nick Dahlquist4-12, -0, 8; Ethan Pateman 3-8 5-11 11; Logan Creech 1-5 3-4 6; Jeremy Rusnell 0-0 0-0 0; Richie Brushia 0-1 0-0 0; Mike Thorstad 0-0 0-0 0. Totals 17-44 19-34 56.
Laurel – Josh Barta 7, Tim Simonich 10, Jake Mogan 8, Zale Kaupish 1, Sean Condon 18, Jordan Giles 2, Matthew Scheie 6, jarred Hergett 2. Totals 18-52, 14-28 54.
3-point goals: Stevi 3-8 (Creech 1-4, Chambers 1-3, Zeiler 1-1), Laurel: 4-16. Fouls – Stevi 21, Laurel 28; Rebounds – Stevi 41 (Pateman 13, Dahlquist 10), Laurel 38. Turnovers – Setevi 14, Laurel 15. Assists – Stevi 5 (Chambers 2, Creech 2). Laurel 11. Steals – Stevi 3 (Zeiler 2). Laurel 3.
Browning 13 18 22 16 - 69
Stevensville 14 19 10 9 - 52
Browning - Lyle St. Goddard 12, Brenden Weatherwax 7, Jordan Long Time Sleeping 10, Andrew Spotted Wolf 24, DJ Fish 14, Dylan Desrosier 1-1 0-1 2. Totals 30-56 3-10 69.
Stevensville - Drew Zieier 4-11 2-2 10, Boone Chambers 2-3 1-2 6, Nic Dahlquist 6-10 2-4 14, Ethan Pateman 5-8 0-0 10, Logan Creech 1-6 3-3 5, Isaac Hunter 0-0 0-0 0, Jeremy Russnell 0-0 0-2 0, Richie Brushia 3-5 0-0 6, Jalen Pfau 0-0 0-0 0, Mike Thorstad 0-0 1-2 1. Totals 21-43 9-15 52.
3-point goals - Browning 6-14 (Spotted Wolf 5, Weatherwax 1), Stevi 1-7 (Chambers). Rebounds - Browning 27 (Spotted Wolf 8), Stevi 29 (Dahlquist 7). Total fouls - Browning 15, Stevi 16. Fouled out - Pateman.
Dillon 71, Stevensville 46
Dillon 21 15 19 16 -71
Stevensville 3 20 12 11 - 46
Dillon – Bryce Carver 19, Machael Allen 8, Stephen Resset 4, Brock Myllymaki 13, Corey Eisenzimer 9, Tim Goins 5, Brandon Boka 5, Dakota Norris 4, Garrett Banning 0, Trevor Rehm 1, Dylan Whiting 3. Totals 19-38 29-41 71
Stevensville – Drew Zeiler 0-7 0-0 0, Boone Chambers 4-14 0-0 11; Nick Dahlquist 6-13 1-2 13; Ethan Pateman 4-8 1-3 9; Logan Creech 2-10 2-3 7; Jeremy Rusnell 1-1 0-0 2; Richie Brushia 1-2 1-2 3; Mike Thorstad 0-0 0-0 0; Jalen Pfau 0-0 1-3 1; Isaac Hunter 0-1 0-0 0.
Totals – 18-56 6-13 46
3-point goals – Dillon 4-8, Stevi 4-20 (Chambers 3-8, Creech 1-8) Total fouls – Dillon 15, Stevensville 28. Fouled out – Pateman, Chambers. Rebounding – Dillon 41, Stevensville 28 (Pateman 6).
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Florence ends season with a win
Florence entered the Western B Tournament in Hamilton as the No. 1 seed in District 7B. At the district tournament they had defeated both Loyola and Deer Lodge to earn the championship. Although Florence didn’t get a chance to play Loyola this time, Deer Lodge was tough enough to knock the Lady Falcons out of a state berth. They finished on a win, defeating Eureka to take third place but it was a bittersweet win. This group of seniors had their hearts set on playing at the state tournament but it wasn’t meant to be.
It wasn’t pretty but they got it done. The Lady Falcons of Florence defeated Plains, 49-28, in their first game of the Western B Divisional on Thursday night. The Lady Falcons were a little out of sync on offense and it took a while for them to hit their stride. With starter Kristina Kmetekova sitting on the bench after having missed all week with the flu, Florence had a difficult time figuring out their roles but the senior-led team got the job done and advanced to the semi finals on Friday night.
The first quarter was made up of turnovers and fouls with Florence picking up seven fouls in the first quarter alone. Their defense kept them in the game, with steals and turnovers.
Heather Earhart of Plains tied the game up at 7 early in the second quarter and then tied it up again after Katie Niemeir hit a short jumper. Taylor Shepherd came in off the bench to fire the lady Falcons up with a steal and a dish to Brooke Zeiler for the lay in. A trey by Jordan Rick gave Florence a little breathing room. Even though Florence had 10 fouls on them, they were still able to pull away and had a seven-point lead at the half.
It was more fouls and turnovers in the second half but Florence built a 15-point lead at the end of the third quarter. The press by the Lady Falcons was more than the Trotters could handle. Odessa Conley picked up her fourth foul early in the third quarter and had to sit out much of the half. But Taylor Shepherd and Jo Johnson came in and made plays and picked off rebounds to keep the Falcon offense going. On the defensive side, Florence continued their pressing defense through the fourth quarter for the win. Brooke Zeiler had 14 points to lead all scorers.
Plains – Lasey Hermiston 2, Heather Earhart 12, Ashton Vulles 3, Bethany Catalanello 8, Emma Ehert 3.
Florence – Katie Niemeir 9, Brooke Zeiler 14, Brittany Heinz 3, Jordan Rick 12, Odessa Conley 2, Taylor Shepherd 2, Jo Johnson 7.
After defeating Plains in the first game, the Lady Falcons went up against Deer Lodge in semi final action on Friday night. Both teams came out struggling, with jump balls being called left and right. Turnovers marred most of the first quarter and the game was tied at 6-all at the end of the first quarter.
Florence made a run in the middle of the second quarter but the Wardens made a couple of quick baskets and maintained a lead. Kristina Kmetekova made a 17-foot jumper at the buzzer to pull the Lady Falcons within six points at the half. Florence had 16 turnovers and only four steals. Deer Lodge had 11 turnovers.
Deer Lodge, behind the shooting and play of Krystal Burns, stretched the lead out over the third period while Florence struggled with foul trouble and hard rims. Kmetekova kept hustling and creating plays for the Lady Falcons and by the end of the third quarter, the Florence girls were only down by 11 points.
The momentum seemed to be swinging Florence’s way early in the fourth quarter with Kmetekova making a steal and sinking a lay in and then Brooke Zeiler making another steal and sinking her shot. The Lady Falcons trailed by only five points. But a technical on the Florence bench sent Haley Owens to the free throw line for two shots and the possession of the ball. Florence made another run but couldn’t close the gap and fell to Deer Lodge, 51-40.
“They got us where it counted,” said Florence coach Bryan Neuman.
Florence – Katie Niemeir 3, Brooke Zeiler 11, Jordan Rick 4, Odessa Conley 2, Taylor Shepherd 4, Megan Rick 3, Kristina Kmetekova 13.
Deer Lodge – Mandi Kukal 6, Haley Owens 13, Sarah O’Hara 5, Danni Johnson 9, Krystal Burns 18.
Florence then had to work their way back through the loser’s bracket and hope for a challenge game if they wanted to make it to Butte and the State Tournament.
The first obstacle in the way was the Mission Bulldogs of St. Ignatius. The Bulldogs are a quick shooting, fast moving team that likes to score on the run. Florence had to stop the transition game and create more of an offensive threat than they had in the last game.
Florence came out more relaxed than they had been but Zeiler picked up a couple of quick fouls and had to sit down. Kmetekova kept the Lady Falcons in the game with a couple of nice baskets and tied the game at 10 all. Although they trailed by one at the first buzzer, they came out relaxed and playing tough. Zeiler hit a trey and then two free throws to put the Lady Falcons up by five. They continued playing tough. Jordan Rick made a steal and converted it to points. Then Katie Niemeir hit a couple of free throws to increase the lead.
Although Mission didn’t quit, Florence kept the pressure up and cruised to a 50-36 victory.
Florence 50, St. Ignatius 36
Mission – Kim Christensen 5, Kelsey Cable 1, Kyla Mitchell 2, Rachel Jensen 2, Mattea Grant 6, Saundra Curley 5, Katie McDonald 9, Jordan Adams 6.
Florence – Rae Baerlocher 2, Katie Niemeir 4, Brooke Zeiler 8, Jordan Rick 10, Odessa Conley 2, Taylor Shepherd 4, Kristina Kmetekova 16.
The win sent the Lady Falcons to the consolation game where they met up with Eureka. With a wink to her dad, Brooke Zeiler took the tip and quickly made a basket. Eureka came back but it was clear the Lady Falcons were one a mission to win. Even though they trailed by one at the quarter, they were not hanging their heads and were looking to create some offense.
Eureka went on a seven point run behind the play of Mariah Newell in the middle of the second quarter before Baerlocher broke through her slump for a bucket. That seemed to spur the Lady Falcons on. Niemeir picked off a pass and dished to Kmetekova who put two more points on the board. Although Eureka was still ahead at the half, the Florence players were not giving up.
“Our game plan was to play that sort of a situation,” said Neuman. “But when you get behind like that, then you have to crank it up and do something different.”
Eureka continued to extend the lead but for every point made, Florence made a play and pulled back within five and then within three at the end of the third quarter.
“I planned on pressing,” he continued. “I just wanted to see what happened. I didn’t expect them to have that lead when we started pressing.”
Florence, who is known for pressing, hadn’t pressed much all weekend. They went back to what they do best and began to gain momentum. With under four minutes remaining, Niemeier again made a steal and dished to Rick who sank the shot and Florence had a one point lead. Gymnastics by Kmetekova led to a basket by Eureka but Baerlocher came right back with a trey and Florence had the lead for good.
Florence finished in third with a 48-44 victory. Now they had to wait to see if Deer Lodge could beat Loyola. The Florence girls cheered right with the Deer Lodge crowd and even added a few of their own but it wasn’t enough. Loyola won the championship and Deer Lodge finished second. Both will advance to the State B tournament this weekend.
Neuman was sad to see his time with these players end. “I’ve been with those girls four years. Spent lots of time with them. It’s tough to see the end.”
Florence 48, Eureka 44
Eureka – Tayler Holder 4, Carly Hammond 5, Melanie Finch 13, Rica Fils 7, Steph Vogelman 3, Mariah Newell 12.
Florence – Rae Baerlocher 7, Katie Niemeir 6, Brooke Zeiler 14, Brittany Heinz 2, Jordan Rick 2, Taylor Shepherd 2, Kristina Kmetekova 15.
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Class A Southwest Conference
1st Team
Bryce Carver Jr Dillon
Jason Schallenberger Sr Hamilton
Nick Dahlquist Sr Stevensville
Corye Eisenzimer Sr Dillon
Dalton Sybrant Jr Corvallis
2nd Team
Ethan Pateman Jr Stevensville
Ryan Turley Sr Hamilton
Steve Collins Sr Anaconda
Brock Myllymaki Sr Dillon
Matt Smith Jr Corvallis
Honorable Mention
Jesse Dahlberg Sr Frenchtown
Stephen Resset Sr Dillon
Garrett Morris Sr Corvallis
Boone Chambers Jr Stevensville
Drew Zeiler Soph Stevensville
All-State
Bryce Carver Jr Dillon
Jason Schallenberger Sr Hamilton
Nick Dahlquist Sr Stevensville
Southwest ‘A’ Coach of the Year
Dave Bradshaw Corvallis
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Cross country teams honored for academics
from Montana Sports Information
The University of Montana women’s and men’s cross country teams were both honored this week for their academic achievements by the U.S. Track & Field and Cross Country Coaches Association (USTFCCCA). Both Grizzly squads were recipients of the 2007 USTFCCCA All-Academic Team award.
The Montana women received the award, which requires a cumulative team GPA of 3.00 or better, with its 3.29 GPA through the end of the 2007 fall semester. In all, a remarkable 158 of the 325 (49 percent) NCAA Division I women’s cross country teams were recognized by the association for having a cumulative team GPA of at least 3.00.
Representing the Grizzly roster for 2007 were senior Kaci Calaway, junior Ashley Colbrese, sophomores Brooke Andrus, Kara DeWalt and Leigh Fredrickson and freshmen Katrina Drennen, Bridgette Hoenke, Mary Kettering, Megan O’Reilly, Kesslee Payne and Anna Stone.
Stanford, which won the 2007 NCAA championship and had a 3.47 cumulative team GPA, was named the 2007 NCAA Division I USTFCCCA Women’s All-Academic Cross Country Team of the Year.
The Montana men, who had a cumulative team GPA of 3.00, were one of 99 teams honored out of a possible 299 (33 percent) Division I teams.
Representing the UM roster for 2007 were senior Duncan Hendrick, juniors Zach Betz, Dan Bingham, Mac Bloom, Dennis Brands, Eli Hermann and Jesse Loether and sophomores Brett Carter, Sean Clark, Michael Fisher and Steven Gimpel.
Iona was the USTFCCCA’s team of the year. The Gaels finished with a 3.00 cumulative team GPA and placed second at the 2007 NCAA Championships.
“I think these awards show what outstanding people we have in our cross country programs, with both teams able to accomplish this,” Montana cross country coach Tom Raunig said. “Those student-athletes compete three seasons a year, which no one else does, and they are still able to maintain a high GPA. It shows they are able to manage their time well and keep the balance that being a student-athlete requires.”
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