GIRLS BASKETBALL: Season ends for Bravettes in Helena

HELENA — Helena Capital shut down the Flathead girls in the first half, ending the Bravettes’ season while running away with an easy 53-34 victory in the first of two Western AA state basketball play-in contests this week.

The Bravettes struggled mightily in the first two quarters against Capital, managing two baskets, entering halftime down 23-5.

Flathead was able to muster a bit of a comeback after half, outscoring the Bruins 13-10 in the third quarter, but it wasn’t enough, with Capital expanding its lead in the final eight minutes to keep its season going. The Bruins will now play at third-seeded Missoula Hellgate on Friday, the winner advancing to the state tournament March 10-12 in Bozeman.

Tiana Johnson finished with a game-high 15 points to lead Flathead, which also got eight points and five rebounds from Kylie Meredith. Senior Cadelyn Nunn scored six points in her final game, going 2 for 6 from 3-point range.

Tjaden Pallister scored 14 points and Taylor Sullivan had 10 points for Capital.

Flathead 3 2 13 16 — 34

Capital 10 13 10 20 — 53

FLATHEAD (4-17) — Kylie Meredith 3-5 1-2 8, Kelsey Gillespie 0-6 0-0 0, Cadelyn Nunn 2-7 0-0 6, Allison Gagnon 0-3 0-0 0, Tiana Johnson 6-17 2-2 15, Mary Heaton 1-4 1-2 3, Clara Vandenbosch 1-4 0-2 2, Sierra Siberud 0-3 0-0 0; Totals 13-49 4-8 34

CAPITAL (12-9) — Tjaden Pallister 5-8 2-4 14, Aubrey McMaster 1-3 0-0 2, Madi Quick 1-3 0-0 2, Mary Bryggman 2-7 0-0 4, Megan Lindbo 0-0 2-2 2, Katie Culver 1-2 0-0 2, Abbie Witham 1-1 0-0 2, Kyra Dawes 1-1 0-0 2, Sydney Sheridan 2-4 4-5 8, Aryn Cummings 1-1 0-0 2, Taylor Sullivan 1-1 8-10 10, Savanna Bignell 1-5 0-0 3; Totals 17-36 16-21 53.

3-pointers - Flat 4-21 (Nunn 2-6), CHS 3-7 (Pallister 2-2, Bignell 1-3); Rebounds - Flat 27 (Meredith 5), CHS 34 (Dawes 9, Sheridan 4); Assists - Flat 6 (Meredith 3), CHS 13 (Quick 4, Sullivan 3); Turnovers - Flat 16, CHS 16; Fouls - Flat 15, CHS 14; Fouled out - None.