Basketball roundup: Bravettes blowout Hellgate
<p>Flathead freshman Kelsey Noland-Gollespie (24) protects the ball Tuesday night during Flathead's victory over Hellgate at Flathead High School. March 4, 2014 in Kalispell, Montana. (Patrick Cote/Daily Inter Lake)</p>
<p>Flathead senior Jenessa Heine is fouled as she puts up a shot Tuesday night during Flathead's victory over Hellgate at Flathead High School. March 4, 2014 in Kalispell, Montana. (Patrick Cote/Daily Inter Lake)</p>
Flathead got out of its scoring slump, scoring 22 points in the first quarter against Missoula Hellgate to vault itself to a 62-43 Western AA conference girls basketball victory on Tuesday.
Bravettes senior guard Emma Andrews scored a season-high 24 points against Hellgate (5-15 overall, 1-11 Western AA), leading Flathead (5-15, 2-10) to a 22-11 lead after the first quarter. They would take go ahead 52-44 after the third quarter before closing the game by outscoring the Knights 10-9.
It was the third highest scoring output the Bravettes have had this season, and the most points they’ve scored since a 66-25 victory over Libby in their first game of 2014.
Flathead outrebounded Hellgate 45-28 in the contest, helping earn second chance points and taking away opportunities for the Knights.
“We were giving ourselves second chances to score,” Flathead coach Lisa Hendrickson said. “To throw up 62 points is very exciting to see for our confidence level and because we’ve struggled scoring. It’s hard to compete when you’re not scoring.”
Andrews’ 24 points is the first time a Flathead girl has scored more than 18 this season. Senior post Jenessa Heine also had a big game, recording a double-double with 12 points and 10 rebounds.
“For Emma to have a breakout game was nice for her,” Hendrickson said.
The win clinched sixth place for the Bravettes, earning a playoff game against Glacier later this week. The Wolfpack won each of the first two meetings, beating Flathead 66-42 in January and 60-52 last week.
“Its always exciting to get another chance to play,” Hendrickson said. “You’re always hoping that you’re peaking at the end of the season.
“You want to be firing on all cylinders. I feel like the girls have more confidence. We’re moving in the right direction. They’re playing hard. Good things happen when you play hard.”
Hellgate 11 12 11 9 — 43
Flathead 22 12 18 10 — 62
HELLGATE — Darby Henthorn 1-6 5-6 7, Claire Hinther 1-2 0-0 3, Lexi Duce 1-5 2-2 4, Ellie Arledge 0-3 1-2 1, Kylie McWilliams 2-8 4-6 8, Sydney Riddle 0-2 3-4 3, Katie Stahl 1-3 0-2 2, Kara Hogan 3-10 5-5 11, Mersaydees Cheff 1-1 0-0 2, Kaila Olson 1-2 0-0 2. Totals: 11-42 20-27 43.
FLATHEAD — Emma Andrews 8-26 7-12 24, Tana Fountain 3-7 0-0 7, Kelsey Noland-Gillespie 1-2 0-0 2, Lizzie Sherwood 3-6 0-1 6, Tiana Johnson 5-6 0-0 11, Jenessa Heine 5-12 2-4 12. Totals: 13-28 9-17 62.
3-point goals - Hellgate 1 (Hinther), Flathead 3 (Andrews, Fountain, Johnson). Rebounds - Hellgate 28, Flathead 45 (Heine 10). Assists - Hellgate 7, Flathead 10 (Andrews 4). Blocks - none. Steals - Hellgate 11, Flathead 14 (Andrews 6). Total fouls - Hellgate 17, Flathead 22. Fouled out - Flathead, Andrews.
BOYS
Hellgate 69, Flathead 49
MISSOULA — The Flathead boys hung with Hellgate for most of the first half, before the defending state champs were able to pull away for a 69-49 Western AA conference victory to close out the regular season for both teams.
Flathead (8-12 overall, 4-8 Western AA) was within a few shots of the Knights (16-4, 10-2) for most of the game, falling behind 14-10 after the first quarter and 28-20 at half after a strong close to the second quarter from Hellgate.
The Braves still trailed just 45-35 at the start of the fourth quarter before Hellgate ran away with the contest.
Blaine Newman had 12 points, Will Cronk 11 and Matt Quist 10 for Flathead in the loss.
Hellgate junior Tres Tinkle scored 23 points to lead all scorers. Rhett Baerlocker added 12 for the Knights.
Flathead still has at least one game remaining on its schedule, a playoff matchup with crosstown rival Glacier this week. The winner of that game will advance to the state tournament on March 13-15 in Billings.
Flathead 10 10 15 14 — 49
Hellgate 14 14 17 24 — 69
FLATHEAD — Alex Croymans 0 2-2 2, Blaine Newman 4 1-4 12, Easton Johnson 0 2-2 2, Will Cronk 3 3-4 11, Chandler Escalante 1 0-0 3, Trae Habel 2 0-0 4, Adam Bradley 1 3-4 5, Matt Quist 4 1-2 10. Totals 15 12-18 49.
HELLGATE — Tres Tinkle 8 6-10 23, Dylan Harvala 1 0-0 3, Rhett Baerlocher 4 4-6 12, Brady Henthorn 3 0-2 8, Josh Seaton 1 0-0 2, Hunter Mahlum 2 4-4 8, Connor Schenk 1 0-0 3, Devin Bray 1 2-2 4, Pat Colberg 1 0-2 2, Mark Lebsock 1 1-3 3, Kole Swartz 0 1-2 1. Totals 23 18-31 69.
3-point goals – Flathead 7 (Newman 3, Cronk 2, Escalante, Quist), Hellgate 5 (Henthorn 2, Tinkle, Harvala, Schenk). Total fouls – Flathead 21, Hellgate 15. Fouled out – Habel, Bradley. Rebounds – Flathead 28 (n/a), Hellgate 32 (Baerlocher 8).