Polson boys crush Corvallis in Western A opener
HAMILTON — Polson got off to a fast start in its 65-47 win over Corvallis in the first round at the Western A Divisional basketball tournament on Tuesday at Hamilton High School.
The Pirates led 15-9 after the first quarter and 30-18 at halftime. Polson scored 22 points in the third quarter to put the game away, coasting to the victory.
Matthew Rensvold scored a game-high 22 points to lead Polson and three other players hit double digits.
Polson advances to play Butte Central in the semifinals on Friday.
Corvallis 9 9 14 15 — 47
Polson 15 15 22 13 — 65
Corvallis — Tylor Nixon 17, Justin Catanach 12, Kobe Jessop 8, Ridge Albright 3, Kolton Mahan 2, Carson Jessop 3, Zach Jessop 2.
Polson — Matthew Rensvold 22, Jovan Johnson 10, Jaydon Bautista 10, Tanner Wilson 9, J. North Peigan 12, Connor Lanier 2.
Butte Central 49,
Whitefish 29
HAMILTON — Butte Central went on a 29-8 run in the second and third quarters to run away in the first round of the Western A divisional.
Whitefish led 9-6 after the first quarter but sputtered in the second quarter, scoring just two points.
Derek Kastella scored 14 points to lead the Bulldogs, who wil play Stevensville in a loser-out game tonight.
Butte Central 6 15 14 14 — 49
Whitefish 9 2 6 12 — 29
Butte Central — Nate McGree 14, Sam Johnston 9, Matt Simkins 2, Tanner Kump 5, Luke Heaphy 6, Cade Holter 6, Jared Simkins 7.
Whitefish — Derek Kastella 14, Brendyn Peacock 2, Sawyer Silliker 3, Ryan Kemm 5, Lee Waldorn 3, Dillon Botner 2.
Columbia Falls 54, Stevensville 51
HAMILTON — A big fourth quarter led Columbia Falls to a first round win at the Western A divisional tournament.
The Wildcats, who lost a modest halftime lead after a slow third quarter, scored 17 points in the fourth and held off a Stevi late attempt to tie.
It was a sharp turnaround from just five days ago when Columbia Falls lost to Stevensville 66-56.
Logan Stephens had 20 points in the Wildcats win.
Columbia Falls advances to another first round game this afternoon, this time against top-seeded Dillon.
Stevensville 12 13 13 13 – 51
Columbia Falls 14 14 9 17 – 54
Stevensville – Jarod Kingsburg 4, James Fry 13, Dalton Bragg 10, Chayse Richards 4, Alex Gavlak 9, Luis Estrada-Ortiz 11.
Columbia Falls – Austin Green 13, Logan Stephens 20, Quintin Schriver 7, Dakota Bridwell 12, DJ Schrade 2.
GIRLS
Columbia Falls 55, Hamilton 28
HAMILTON — The Columbia Falls girls took care of business in the first round, shutting down Hamilton on its home court to advance to the semifinals at the Western A divisional tournament.
The Wildkats took charge early, leading 11-3 after the first quarter and 20-11 at half. Columbia Falls went on a 16-4 run out of the break to take a commanding lead into the fourth quarter, where it outscored Corvallis 19-13 to secure the victory.
Kiara Burlage had 13 points in a balanced scoring attack for the Wildkats.
Columbia Falls will play Butte Central in a rematch of last season’s state title game in the Western A semifinals on Friday.
Hamilton 3 8 4 13 – 28
Columbia Falls 11 9 16 19 – 55
Hamilton – Tessa Della Silva 3, Tristy Searle 6, Kara Nye 8, Reilly Rostad 5, Sophia Doyle 4, Lauren Ryter 2.
Columbia Falls – Dani Douglas 9, Hannah Gellerman 2, Cydney Finberg 8, Peyton Kehr 7, Ryler Kehr 5, Kiara Burlage 13, Trista Cowan 2, Sydney Hovde 9.
Stevensville 65,
Whitefish 44
HAMILTON — Whitefish led after the first quarter but couldn’t keep up the pace, falling to Stevensville in the first round at the Western A tournament.
The Bulldogs led 11-9 after eight minutes, but Stevi caught fire in the second quarter, closing the half on a 25-8 run to take control of the game.
Whitefish fought back in the third and fourth quarters, but couldn’t make enough of a dent.
Diana Vasquez scored a game-high 15 points to lead Whitefish and Marlee Bender added 11.
The Bulldogs drop to loser out play today against Polson.
Stevensville 9 25 14 17 – 65
Whitefish 11 8 14 11 – 44
Stevensville – Maddie Paul 3, Megan Pendergast 7, Evynne Alexander 13, Angel Richards 13, Haley Kampka 15, Kayla Schmiedeke 4, Makayla Davids 9, Hannah Fry 1.
Whitefish – Lauren Schulz 3, Hope Brown 4, Libby Nagler 2, Bella Wilson 2, Annisa Brown 2, Diana Vasquez 15, Payton Kastella 5, Marlee Bender 11.
Butte Central 58, Polson 19
HAMILTON — Polson struggled to slow down Butte Central, losing to the defending state champs in the first round at the Western A divisional.
Butte Central led 17-3 after the first quarter and 30-9 at halftime in the rout, continuing to build its lead during a running clock in the second half.
Mollie Peoples and Emily St. John each had 15 points to lead the Maroons.
Alex Pierre led Polson with eight points. The Pirates will play conference rival Whitefish in loser out play today. Polson swept the Bulldogs in two games in the regular season.
Butte Central 17 13 17 11 - 58
Polson 3 6 6 9 - 19
BUTTE CENTRAL — Kloie Thatcher 10, Olivia Bolton 4, Mollie Peoples 15, Bella Sorini 8, Emily St. John 15, Tricia Joyce 3, Emily Keeley 1, Corbyn Holm 2.
POLSON — Lauren Lefthand 2, Kaelyn Smith 1, Quinn Motichia 3, Alex Pierre 8, Mollie Fisher 5.