Flathead holds off Helena

Flathead weathered a second-half storm by Helena High to secure a much-needed Western AA home boys basketball victory on Saturday afternoon.

Flathead (9-9 overall, 5-5 league) saw its 18-point halftime lead nearly evaporate in the span of 11 minutes, but eventually cashed in big time from the free-throw line in the fourth period for the 75-57 win.

"Third quarter, we got in a hurry ... that's all there is to that," Flathead coach Fred Febach said.

"We knew at halftime they would bring pressure. We talked about it. Give them credit. They cashed in on it.

"It was helter skelter in the third quarter," he added.

Helena High (9-10, 6-4) threw full court pressure at the Braves to open the second half, creating plenty of havoc on both ends of the court. The up-tempo play sparked a struggling Bengals offense, which could muster just 16 first-half points, as they managed to slip to within four, 49-45 with 5:33 remaining.

The Braves, however, went 18-for-22 from the free-throw line from that point on as Helena dropped its second game in two days.

Zach Hulse, 24 points, and Henry Garrett, 10, ignited the Bengal rally after intermission.

Flathead was led by Matt McLean, 22 points, and George Sherwood, 16.

McLean was 14-for-16 free-throw shooting while Sherwood went 8-for-9. Both also had to endure some bench time in the final half with foul woes.

Neither player fouled out.

Austin Jones added 11 points for Flathead.

As a team, the Braves shot a remarkable 30-for-36 from the charity stripe.

"We were able to finally calm down, take control of the game again," Febach said.

"That was huge."

Flathead dominated board play, 38-27, and had three fewer turnovers with 19.

Helena won the first meeting with Flathead in Helena by two points on Jan. 27.

The victory kept Flathead in the No. 4 position in the league standings with two games remaining in the regular season. The No. 4 team will host a state play-in game.

The state tournament begins March 8 in Bozeman.

Flathead plays at Hellgate on Thursday and at Glacier on Friday.

"We still have some work to do," Febach said.

Helena High 11 5 22 19 - 57

Flathead 16 18 13 28 - 75

HELENA HIGH - Dylan Simac 3 4-6 12, Troy Arnston 1 0-0 3, Dawson Reardon 1 1-2 3, Zach Hulse 8 5-10 24, Austin Young 1 3-4 5, Chase South 0 0-1 0, Henry Garrett 5 0-1 10. Totals: 19 13-24 57.

FLATHEAD - Matt Tokarz 2 4-4 8, Drew Crosby 2 0-0 5, Matt McLean 3 14-16 22, George Sherwood 4 8-9 16, Austin Jones 5 1-2 11, Shea Schroeder 3 3-5 9, Nick James 1 0-0 2, Garth Wet 1 0-0 2. Totals: 21 30-36 75.

3-point goals: Simac (2), Arnston, Hulse (3); Crosby, McLean (2); Rebounds: Helena High 27 (Levi Merkel 7); Flathead 38 (Schroeder 8); Assists: Helena High 7 (Hulse 2, Arnston 2); Flathead 13 (Jones 3, Sherwood 3); Steals: Helena High 8 (Simac 3); Flathead 13 (Crosby 3); Turnovers; Helena High 22, Flathead 19; Team fouls: Helena High 25, Flathead 22; Fouled out: Simac, Arnston; Jones.