Bravettes clip Bulldogs

The Daily Inter Lake

Flathead coach Dennis Latimer knows his young Bravettes are going to see a lot of pressure this year.

Flathead has 10 sophomores and a freshman on its roster.

Five of those 10 sophomores and the one freshman all saw significant playing time Thursday night.

So, it would be reasonable to expect opposing teams to come at the Bravettes.

"(Opposing teams) look at that '10' that comes after the name (on the roster). They think 'that's their weakness' and they go after it," he said.

"You got to get better or sink. Our girls are trying to swim and get better."

The Bravettes did all right with the pressure Thursday night - and they improved at least one thing - their record.

Host Flathead (0-1, 1-1) defeated Northwestern A Whitefish 56-38 to pick up the Bravettes' first win of the season.

Flathead still turned the ball over 22 times, however.

"I was disappointed about our turnovers. If they can continue to be solid with the ball against the press, get better each week, we'll be a much-improved team," Latimer said.

Flathead led almost from the opening bell when sophomore Chaeney Latimer drained her first shot attempt - a 3-pointer.

The Bravette lead was 27-20 at half.

They steadily built on that throughout the third quarter - Flathead led 42-28 going into the final frame.

"We had a lot of even scoring, a lot of girls contributed. We got some good minutes from people," Latimer said.

Amanda Lidstrom led all scorers with 12 points. She was also among three Bravettes with six rebounds.

Holli Hashley added 11 points, six rebounds and two steals, Sara Newgard added 11 points, five rebounds and Lindsay Bennett contributed nine points, six rebounds and two steals.

Katie Cain and Tessa Kalfell each scored nine points for Whitefish.

"I'm still waiting for our seniors to step up as a group," Whitefish coach Dean McFadden said.

"We had possessions - we'd get the game down to 12 points, then we let two of their shooters shoot 3's," McFadden said.

"(Flathead sophomore guard) Sara Newgard is one heck of a player."

"And we still need to find offense."

The Bulldogs (2-2) shot 13-for-48 on the night.

"Who are we going to beat when we do that?" McFadden asked.

"But we are improving every day," he said.

"I'd rather play Flathead than anyone else to get better," he added. "They're bigger than us, they're stronger than us, they're quicker than us."

McFadden was unhappy with the turnovers from his group as well - the Bulldogs turned it over 23 times.

"Life's not over," McFadden smiled. "Our two losses are two AA teams - and it's non-conference.

The Bulldogs play host Monday to Libby, while the Bravettes travel tonight to Columbia Falls to take on the Northwestern A Wildkats.

BRAVETTES 56, BULLDOGS 38

Whitefish 10 10 8 10 - 38

Flathead 16 11 15 14 - 56

Whitefish - Kirsten Blackburn 1 -13 4, Kyla Salisbury 4 0-0 8, Tracy Schwada 2 3-4 7, Tessa Kalfell 4 0-1 9, Erin Greiner 0 1-4 1, Katie Cain 3 3-4 9. Totals 14 8-16 38.

Flathead - Christina Zorn 0 2-4 2, Chaeney Latimer 3 0-0 8, Lindsay Ingram 1 0-0 2, Amanda Lidstrom 5 0-1 12, Holli Hashley 3 5-8 11, Sara Newgard 4 1-2 11, Lindsay Bennett 4 1-2 9, Kristina Ylinen 0 1-4 1. Totals 20 10-22 56.

3-point goals: Whitefish 2 (Blackburn, Kalfell), Flathead 6 (Latimer 2, Lidstrom 2, Newgard 2), Total fouls: Whitefish 18, Flathead 17. Fouled out: Salisbury, Schwada.