Flathead, Glacier ready for hardwood battle
The only safe bet in the crosstown basketball rivalry is parking will be scarce and the gym will be packed when Flathead and Glacier square off tonight at Flathead Gymnasium.
The Glacier boys and girls squads hold a significant advantage in the overall series record — the Wolfpack boys lead the Braves 12-5 and the girls are 12-3 against the Bravettes — which includes postseason play.
A season ago, the Braves and Bravettes earned their way into state tournament play-in games as the No. 5 and No 7 seeds respectively. They were rewarded by pairing with rival Glacier for the third time of the 2013-14 season.
The Wolfpack swept the six total games last year and won when it mattered most. The Glacier boys held off a determined Braves squad, 64-52, while the girls took down the Bravettes, 66-38, and the Glacier contingent made the trek to the Class AA state tournament in Billings.
But it’s a new year with new rosters for all of Kalispell’s Class AA programs, and on the boys side, both Glacier and Flathead are coming off of tough losses.
The Wolfpack (7-4), who jumped into the No. 5 spot in the latest Class AA poll, fell to top-ranked Missoula Hellgate, 73-42 on Tuesday. Hosting arguably the best prep player in the state, Glacier couldn’t contain Hellgate’s Tres Tinkle, who exploded for a career-high 35 points and 13 rebounds. Sophomore post Jaxen Hashley, junior guard Dylan Ruggles and senior wing Sam McCamley all scored six points to lead the Wolfpack.
The Braves (4-6) had a long week off after dropping a home nonconference game, 70-53, to Columbia Falls last Friday. Senior post Trae Habel finished with a double-double in the contest, scoring a team-high 11 points and capturing a game-high 11 boards.
Habel, listed at 6-foot-2-inches, and the Flathead Braves will have to battle a significant size disadvantage. With just one player listed at 6-3, the Braves host a Glacier squad with five players coming in at 6-3 or taller, including Hashley (6-4), Cody Norberg (6-6) and Truman Pisk (6-7).
In the girls matchup, which opens the crosstown set, Glacier enters ranked No. 2 in the state. The Wolfpack (10-1) have won 10 straight games after dropping their first contest of the season, 61-43 to Great Falls High.
Glacier took down Missoula Hellgate, 45-39 on Tuesday for a Western AA road victory. Senior Katie Wiley led all Glacier scorers with nine points and senior Tessa Krueger added seven. Junior Taylor Salonen grabbed seven rebounds.
The Bravettes (2-8) lost to Columbia Falls 72-34 on Friday. Sophomore guard Kylee Meredith had a team-high nine points for Flathead, but the Bravettes were outrebounded 27-15. Sophomore Taryn Gutierez tallied four points and three rebounds in the loss.
Although common opponents can’t determine the outcome of a matchup, Glacier beat the top-ranked Class A Wildkats 46-40 on Thursday, Jan. 15.
The Bravettes and Wolfpack tip off at 6 p.m. and the Braves and Glacier boys game will follow at 8 p.m.