Braves thump Knights

Finish Western AA play 7-5, 15-5 overall

Flathead took care of business on the final weekend of the Class AA boys°¯ basketball regular season Saturday afternoon with a 62-34 thumping of Missoula Hellgate.

The Braves put the issue to rest with an explosive fourth quarter, outscoring Hellgate 26-5 on their home floor.

The victory gives Flathead a 7-5 mark in Western AA play, 15-5 overall.

Up next are the playoffs.

°°As a group, our team is beginning to peak at the right time of the year,°± Flathead coach Fred Febach said.

°°Now is a good time to be doing it.°±

Hellgate, which upset Flathead in Missoula in another Saturday matinee back on Feb. 2 (56-53), gave an early indication that it was up for the challenge again. The Knights took a 7-2 lead and remained on top 14-12 by quarter°¯s end.

A fastbreak layup by Flathead°¯s Jake Thiesentied the game for a final time at 14-all 32 seconds into the second quarter.

A 3-point field goal by Danny Salois a minute later put Flathead in front for good, 17-14, and Salois followed that with a perfect behind the back pass to Thiesen for another fastbreak layup and a 19-14 advantage.

Flathead held on for a 22-18 halftime lead and took a 36-29 advantage into the final eight minutes.

Thiesen then set the offensive tone for the final quarter, nailing a trey.

Josh Harris picked up a loose ball under the basket and went right back up for an easy two points.

And on Flathead°¯s third possession of the fourth quarter, a dandy bounce pass to Harris inside from Brock Osweiler resulted in another easy basket.

Flathead was in charge, and finally rolling at 43-29.

The victory gave Flathead a 9-1 mark at home on senior day.

Febach liked the fact the Braves were finding °°the open player and sharing the ball.°± All total, 10 FHS players scored, led by Salois and Osweiler with 12 apiece. Thiesen was next with 10.

Six different Braves had treys, led by Thiesen and Salois with two each. Michael Gallagher, Colton Hoffenbacker, Oweiler and Tyler Hawkins all had one.

Justin Reynolds led Hellgate with 10 points.

The Knights had four players reach double figures in their victory over Flathead. Clayton Juneau had 18 in that game, but Flathead held him to just two points this time.

°°They like to dictate tempo, control the ball,°± Febach said of Hellgate.

°°I thought our boys responded very well today. Particularly well in the second half. After the crosstown thing last night, they came back and played pretty well two days in a row.°±

The Braves controlled the boards 39-26. Osweiler had 19.

Salois led in assists with six with Thiesen and Oweiler next with five each.

Flathead will finish as either the No. 3 or 4 seed in the division. That will give the Braves a home playoff game next week.

Missoula Hellgate 14 4 11 5 °ª 34

Flathead 12 10 14 26 °ª 62

Missoula Hellgate °ª Brendan Brown 3 3-4 9, Taylor Nordby 3 0-0 8, Clayton Juneau 1 0-0 2, Dan Clucas 0 1-2 1, Travis Peevey 1 0-0 2, Justin Reynolds 5 0-2 10, Eric Neumeister 1 0-0 2. Totals: 14 4-8 34.

Jake Thiesen 4 0-0 10, Michael Gallagher 1 0-0 3, Danny Salois 5 0-0 12, Austin Roehl 1 0-0 2, Connor Cavigli 3 0-0 6, Colton Hoffenbacker 2 0-0 5, Josh Harris 3 1-5 7, Brock Oweiler 4 3-4 12, Cody Bouley 1 0-0 2, Tyler Hawkins 1 0-0 3. Totals: 25 4-9 63.

3-point goals: Norby; Thiesen (2), Gallagher, Salois (2), Hoffenbacker, Osweiler, Hawkins; Team fouls: Hellgate 10, Flathead 6; Fouled out: None.