Retooled Braves bounce Big Sky

By DAVID LESNICK/The Daily Inter Lake

Flathead coach Fred Febach didn't know what to expect when his Braves took the floor to face visiting Missoula Big Sky for a Saturday matinee Western AA boys basketball game.

He figured they might be a little tired, getting home at 2:45 a.m. Saturday from Great Falls after losing to the Bison 71-53 in a rescheduled game from Dec. 13.

There was also the worry of how the team was dealing with a four-game losing streak.

"You always wonder how your kids will step out and play," he said.

"We've been pounded the last several games and that can put a dent in your confidence."

Well, consider the dents removed. Or at least some of them.

Flathead (1-1 league and 2-7 overall) repaired things in a hurry with a hard-fought 44-40 victory over the Eagles (2-1 and 5-3).

"They bounced back pretty well," a delighted Febach said.

"I'm so happy for them."

During the tense final period, Flathead looked more like a veteran team than one that is struggling with a new lineup. It sunk 8-of-11 free throws and got two huge defensive blocks by 6-foot-4 freshman post George Sherwood in the final minute.

On the other side of the ball, Sherwood, who scored seven of his nine points in the final quarter, hit a jumper from the free throw line with 1:20 remaining to put Flathead in front for good, 39-38.

Ian Gillespie then sandwiched a pair of free throws around a Big Sky timeout for a 41-38 Flathead advantage with 53 seconds left.

Sherwood followed with two more nothing-but-net free throws for a 43-38 Brave bulge with 32 seconds on the clock.

But Big Sky's Mike LaValley sank two free throws with 27 seconds showing to get the Eagles within three, down 43-40.

Gillespie added a free throw with 10 seconds to play, finally putting the game out of reach.

"We saw a great deal of growth tonight in a game situation," Febach said.

"Tonight, it clicked for us."

Karl Ingram led Flathead in scoring with 17 points, eight coming in the opening quarter.

Sherwood finished with nine.

LaValley led all scorers with 14 points. Brandt Montelius was next with nine.

"We cannot be satisfied with just one win," Febach said.

"We have to continue to work hard, stay focused. That's my job."

Big Sky outrebounded Flathead 32-27. Ingram pulled down a game-high seven.

Flathead collected 16 turnovers to 15 for Big Sky.

"Now they have a taste of what it's like to win if they play well, but it's only a taste," Febach said.

"We've been kind of struggling to get to know each other, learning how to play together, just being comfortable with each other out on the floor."

Flathead, which played three times last week, has just one game on the schedule this week - Thursday hosting Class A Bigfork.

Missoula Big Sky 14 9 8 9 - 40

Flathead 8 17 7 12 - 44

Missoula Big Sky - Spencer Powell 3 0-2 6, Mike LaValley 4 6-6 14, Kevin McHugh 0 1-2 1, Brandt Montelius 4 0-0 9, Ryan Devlin 1 0-0 2, Drew Owens 1 0-0 2, Ed Apostol 3 1-1 7. Totals: 15 9-13 40.

Flathead - Dean Stimpson 0 0-1 0, Tanner Salois 1 1-2 3, Ian Gillespie 1 4-5 5, Karl Ingram 6 5-7 17, Jesse Bennett 1 2-2 4, George Sherwood 3 3-4 9, Mike VanArendonk 3 0-0 6. Totals: 14 14-20 44.

3-point goals: Montelius; Team fouls: Big Sky 21, Flathead 14; Fouled out: Powell