Braves trip Bengals in OT

The Flathead Braves weren't about to let this one get away.

Only one second remained in regulation when Jeremy DeHerrera's layup completed a 14-point comeback for the Flathead Braves.

But by the time the Braves broke the huddle and took the floor for overtime against the visiting Helena Bengals, Flathead coach Fred Febach could see the determination in their faces.

"They just made it happen for themselves," Febach said after the Braves (2-3) downed Helena High (0-4) 71-67.

Sophomore post Geoff Hogan was a huge help.

He scored seven of his season-high 15-points during overtime.

"He was always there when I got the ball in the high post," said senior John Farrier.

"He did a real good job finishing at the basket. Geoff has been stepping it up lately," he added.

"The main thing was everybody touched the ball, inside and out," said Farrier, who ended the game with 14 points, seven rebounds and four assists himself.

Other leaders were DeHerrera with 16 points and Andrew Cavigli with 10. Stefan Malkuch added four assists.

But things didn't start out so well Tuesday for Flathead.

The Braves got outrebounded - and outplayed - in the first quarter to the tune of a 25-13 Bengal lead.

Helena widened that to 27-13 with an offensive rebound and putback to start the second period.

"Things were looking a little bleak early," Febach admitted.

By all accounts, it was attitude that got the Braves back in the contest.

"Our shots weren't dropping right away, but we weren't going to let it get us down," DeHerrera said.

The Braves kept fighting - Farrier especially.

With 2:58 left in the half, the senior post won a scramble for a Bengal inbound pass - and when the Helena player wound up on his back, Farrier laid the ball in to cut the Helena lead to 35-27.

Thirty seconds later, Farrier's assist to Cavigli trimmed the lead to 35-29 and the rally was on.

"We put pressure on them, making them turn the ball over and converting," DeHerrera said.

"We turned momentum and picked it up. We had more ball pressure. We were making them make mistakes and we converted the easy bunnies," he added.

"We just played a lot better as a team," Farrier said.

"The kids played some basketball, I thought," Febach said. "They played smart.

"We settled down on the offensive end, moved the ball and got some looks," Febach said.

By the time halftime arrived, the Helena advantage was down to five points and the Braves were confident as they exited the locker room for the third quarter.

But Helena was ready to scratch and claw, too.

The Braves tied the game three times in the second half, but never led until overtime.

Helena still owned a five-point lead with six minutes left in the game and were up 55-52 with 1:44 to go.

"Ultimately, I think we wore 'em down," Febach said.

"They had to work hard to just get the ball in play or in bounds," he added.

"We knew we were wearing them down," Farrier agreed. "Our press was really hard on them, too. We got a lot of turnovers."

"I can't say enough about the team effort in this one," Febach said.

"We had positive contributions from everybody that stepped on the floor.

"And what really helped, we kept the turnovers to a minimum," the coach said.

BRAVES 71, BENGALS 67, OT

Helena 25 15 8 9 10 - 67

Flathead 13 22 9 13 14 - 71

Helena - Jay Anderson 4 4-6 14, Garrett Fink 9 2-2 22, Ryan Edwards 2 3-4 7, Derek Herrin 0 2-3 2, Witt York 1 2-4 4, Matt Niemeyer 3 0-2 6. Matt Komac 1 2-2 4, Matt Hustad 0 1-2 1, Steve Bugni 3 1-2 7. Totals 23 17-27 67.

Flathead - Beau Watkins 1 0-0 2, Jordan Lister 3 2-3 8, Edgar Nadeau 1 0-0 2, Jeremy DeHerrera 5 5-8 16, Stefan Malkuch 2 0-0 4, Andrew Cavigli 5 0-0 10, John Farrier 6 2-6 14, Geoff Hogan 5 5-8 15. Totals 28 14-24 71.

3-point goals: Helena 4 (Anderson 2, Fink 2), Flathead 1 (DeHerrera); Total fouls: Helena 22, Flathead 23. Fouled out: Cavigli, Hogan.