Whitefish boys, Ronan girls stay alive

The Daily Inter Lake

COLUMBIA FALLS - The Whitefish boys and Ronan girls kept their state tournament hopes alive on Friday with loser-out victories during the afternoon session of the Northwestern A Divisional basketball tournament.

Whitefish (9-12) used the 20-point effort of Mike McCracken to take care of Ronan (0-19) 55-47 while the Ronan girls (4-16) jumped out to a 10-4 lead en route to a 40-35 victory over Libby (9-12).

Whitefish is back in action today with a loser-out contest at 1 p.m. versus Libby. Ronan plays a loser-out game with Bigfork at 2:30 p.m.

Whitefish 55, Ronan 47

McCracken did the bulk of his scoring in the second half and from the free throw line. He had 12 points after the break and was 8-of-9 at line.

For the game, the Bulldogs shot 16-of-22 at the charity stripe.

Cody Idol, 12 points, and Sam Penzi, 11, gave Whitefish a balanced attack.

Cameron Barber topped Ronan with 16 points. Bud Collicott added 15.

The Chiefs also shot exceptionally well at the free throw line, going 16-for-20.

Ronan 40, Loggers 35

Lauryn Lynch scored 16 points and Shayla Couture 11 as Ronan prevailed against Libby.

Couture hit three treys in the contest, all in the second half. She also did all of her scoring in the third and fourth quarters.

Sam Schultz led Libby with 11 points.

Ronan led 13-11 at the half.

Loser-out games

Afternoon Session

Boys

BULLDOGS 55, CHIEFS 47

Whitefish 15 8 13 19 - 55

Ronan 12 8 14 13 - 47

Whitefish - Sam Penzi 4 2-2 11, Byron Whitcomb 2 0-0 5, Cody Idol 3 6-9 12, Colt Idol 3 0-0 7, Jamie Clogg 0 0-2 0, Mike McCracken 6 8- 9 20. Totals: 18 16-22 55.

Ronan - Bud Collicott 5 4-4 15, Alan Skogen 2 1-2 6, Ian Erwel 2 2-2 6, Kyle Dusty Bull 0 1-2 1, Nolan Harris 1 0-0 3, Cameron Barber 4 8-10 16. Totals: 14 16-20 47.

3-point goals: Penzi, Whitcomb, Colt Idol; Collicott, Skogen, Harris. Team fouls: Whitefish 18, Ronan 15. Fouled out: None.

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Girls

MAIDENS 40, LOGGERS 35

Ronan 10 3 14 13 - 40

Libby 4 7 14 10 - 35

Ronan - Lauryn Lynch 5 6-8 16, Briana Malmquist 1 0-0 2, Shayla Couture 4 0-0 11, Kelly McMillan 3 0-0 6, Holly Oakland 1 0-2 3, Carli Starkel 1 0-0 2. Totals: 15 6-10 40.

Libby - Brooke Hageness 2 1-6 5, Sam Schultz 3 5-9 11, Shelby Barton 1 0-0 2, Teri Rebo 2 1-3 5, Kristen Brossman 3 0-0 6, Laice Dedrick 2 2-4 6. Totals: 13 9-22 35.

3-point goals: Couture (3), Oakland. Team fouls: Ronan 15, Libby 14. Fouled out: Barton.