Wolfpack wallops Bravettes; punch ticket to Class AA state girls tournament

The Glacier Wolfpack are headed to the Class AA state tournament in Billings after defeating crosstown rival Flathead 66-38 in a play-in girls basketball game at Glacier High School on Friday night.

After Flathead sophomore Lizzie Sherwood hit a 3-pointer to take the lead for the Bravettes, Glacier’s Katie Wiley hit a trey of her own on the very next possession to regain the lead early in the first quarter.

It was a back-and-forth first period with Glacier hanging on to a 10-7 edge after the first eight minutes.

The Wolfpack hit its stride in the second quarter, outscoring Flathead 21-5 by using a devastating half-court press that caused 23 Bravette turnovers. Sophomore Hailee Bennett scored 12 of her game-high 19 points in the second period and navigated the Wolfpack to a 31-12 halftime lead.

Both teams scored 14 points in the third quarter, and although Bravette senior Tana Fountain hit two of her four 3-pointers in the fourth, Glacier netted another 21-point quarter in the final period to cruise into the state tournament.

Three Wolfpack players were in double figures, including Bennett’s 19-point effort. Senior Cassi Hashley posted a double-double, chipping in 13 points while grabbing13 rebounds. Junior Taylor Loomis went 7-8 from the free-throw line to talley 17 points for Glacier.

“Everyday we want to get better. When you think about our team effort, and you look at how many girls got in the game and played well, I think tonight is a perfect example of what we’ve been trying to do all year,” Glacier coach Kris Salonen said.

Flathead was led by Fountain’s 16 points. Fountain went 4-9 from the behind the arc in one of her best shooting performances of the season.

Flathead senior Emma Andrews was also in double figures, as she totaled 12 points while navigating the Bravettes offense in her 31 minutes on the court.

Fellow seniors Jenessa Heine, who grabbed nine rebounds, and Jessica Holmquist also completed their Flathead careers under the guidance of first year coach Lisa Hendrickson.

“I’m honored and blessed to have coached them. They worked hard for me and they believed in me, so I’m grateful for the season we had,” Hendrickson said.

“Glacier came out ready to play and kept the pressure on. It shows what a seasoned team they are.”

Nine different players scored for the Wolfpack, who will look to ride the momentum of this win into next week’s state tournament.

“I think we’re sitting good. We’re playing great basketball and we’re excited,” Salonen said of the upcoming state tournament.

“You go down there to compete and anything can happen.”

Glacier will likely face Great Falls in the first round of the tournament scheduled for next weekend.

Flathead 7 5 14 12 — 38

Glacier 10 21 14 21 — 66

FLATHEAD — Emma Andrews 4-17 4-9 12, Montana Fountain 6-14 0-0 16, Lizzie Sherwood 1-4 0-0 3, Jessica Simmons 0-4 2-2 2, Jenessa Heine 0-2 2-4 2, Kelsey Noland-Gillespie 1-1 0-0 3, Tiana Johnson 0-3 0-0 0, Bri Smith 0-1 0-0 0. Totals: 12-46 8-15 38.

GLACIER — Hannah Atlee 0-1 0-0 0, Katie Wiley 1-5 1-2 4, Cassi Hashley 5-6 3-3 13, Hailee Bennett 5-9 9-11 19, Taylor Loomis 5-12 7-8 17, Taylor Salonen 0-1 1-2 1, Katie Thomas 1-5 0-0 2, Brielle Bumgarner 1-1 0-0 2, Tessa Krueger 1-1 0-2 2, Ali Williams 2-3 2-2 6. Totals: 21-44 23-30 66.

3-point goals — Flathead 6-16 (Andrews 0-1, Fountain 4-9, Sherwood 1-2, Simmons 0-1, Heine 0-1, Noland-Gillespie 1-1, Johnson 0-1), Glacier 1-6 (Wiley 1-2, Loomis 0-1, Thomas 0-3); Rebounds — Flathead 25 (Heine 9, Andrews 5), Glacier 34 (Hashley 13, Atlee 5); Turnovers — Flathead 23, Glacier 22; Assists — Flathead 6 (Heine 3), Glacier 11 (Bennett 3); Steals — Flathead 13 (Andrews 4), Glacier 14 (Wiley 3, Hashley 3, Bennett 3); Fouls — Flathead 19, Glacier 16; Fouled out — None.