Bigfork, Troy move on at Western B
PABLO — Ian Lorang led a balanced offensive attack with 14 points, 10 coming in the fourth quarter, as Bigfork cruised past Valley Christian 74-61 on Wednesday during first-round action of the Western B divisional boys basketball tournament.
Bigfork (18-3) jumped out to a 15-10 advantage and led 35-25 at the intermission.
The fifth-ranked Vikings put the game away with a 23-point fourth quarter.
Travis Knoll added 13 points for Bigfork, while Keenan Evans followed with 12.
Valley Christian (15-8) was led by Andrew Schrautz with 24 points and Morgan Parsons with 22.
There were few surprises on opening day as teams from District 7B split with those from 6B.
Troy gave 7B its second win by tripping Deer Lodge in overtime, 48-45. Brian Hammrich led the victors with 14 points and Ryan Rayson scored 13.
Troy outscored Deer Lodge 10-7 in the extra session.
Second-ranked Florence crushed Plains 68-55 while No. 3 Missoula Loyola rolled by Thompson Falls 61-49.
Florence had five players in double figures, led by Brandon Lorensen with 16.
Everett Johnston had a big game for Loyola, scoring 22 points, 12 coming in the first half.
Bigfork moves on to play Loyola today at 8:30 p.m. In the other semifinal, it’s Florence vs. Troy at 7.
The top two teams advance to state.
If a challenge game in necessary, it will be played Saturday at 5 p.m.
Florence 68, Plains 55
Plains 11 13 21 10 – 55
Florence 16 9 16 27 – 68
PLAINS (17-5) – Kyle Hermiston 0 1-2 1, Dillon Fryxell 4 1-3 9, Brian Green 5 1-1 11, Bryce Benson 5 3-5 13, Trent Thompson 5 3-4 13, Carson Lilja 3 2-5 8. Totals 22 11-20 55.
FLORENCE (20-1) – Chris Benson 1 0-0 2, Alex Mitchell 6 3-4 15, Quinn Smith 5 0-3 10, Reid Baerlocher 4 6-8 14, Brandon Lorensen 5 6-7 16, Adam Greger 3 5-5 11, Kenny Collins 0 0-0 0, Ross Mangus 0 0-0 0. Totals 24 20-27 68.
3-point goals – Plains 0, Florence 0. Total fouls – Plains 20, Florence 18. Fouled out – Lilja, Benson.
Troy 48, Deer Lodge 45, OT
Deer Lodge 10 9 6 13 7 – 45
Troy 14 3 8 13 10 – 48
DEER LODGE (8-15) – Pat Ryan 1 1-4 4, Drew Doiron 2 1-2 6, Troy Thomas 3 0-0 6, Nick Herrin 1 3-4 5, Matt Pomeroy 1 0-2 2, Robert Stone 4 3-3 12, T.J. Thomas 1 1-1 3, Jake Davenport 2 1-3 5, Conner Meagher 1 0-0 2, Brandon Forson 0 0-0 0, Bo Antila 0 0-0 0. Totals 15 10-17 45.
TROY (12-10) – Ryan Rayson 4 3-4 13, Jake Alexander 1 0-2 3, Kody Hoffman 4 1-2 9, Trent Cratty 2 1-2 5, Brian Hammrich 4 6-6 14, Jake Higgins 1 0-0 2, Tom Roeder 1 0-0 2, Dillon Curry 0 0-0 0, Cory Orr 0 0-0 0, Pat Hickman 0 0-0 0. Totals 17 11-16 48.
3-point goals – Deer Lodge 3 (Ryan, Doiron, Stone), Troy 3 (Raynson 2, Alexander). Total fouls – Deer Lodge 15, Troy 16. Foueld out – Hammrich.