Stillwater girls in MCAA hoops title game

MANHATTAN — Stillwater Christian School continues to take care of business at the Montana Christian Athletic Association state girls basketball tournament at Manhattan Christian High School.

The top seed from the Western Division defeated Bozeman Christian School 33-27 in semifinal play Friday afternoon.

Stillwater trailed 17-14 at the half, but rebunded with a strong second half to advance to the championship game today at 2:30 p.m. versus Heritage Christian School of Bozeman. Heritage defeated Flathead Valley Homeschool in the other semifinal. A final score of that game was not available.

“Almost everyone scored and everyone contributed,” Stillwater coach Jennah Mitchell said.

“That is what gave us the victory.”

Lulu Neumann led the Stillwater offensive attack with nine points to go along with eight rebounds. Helen Hashley added eight points and had a team-high nine rebounds along with Selah Neumann.

Molly Lundby scored nine points to pace Bozeman.

Stillwater was without the services of Victoria Hanson, a senior point guard, who injured her knee in Thursday’s win, a 51-19 triumph over Gallatin Valley Homeschool. The Cougars led that one 28-8 at the half.

Selah Neumann powered Stillwater’s offense with a 17-point effort in the opener. Hashley checked in with 14.

Stillwater finished second at state last year. The school’s last state championship was in 2013.

Flathead Valley Homeschool started tournament play Thursday by beating defending state champ Foothills Christian School 32-21. The Lady Crusaders, the No. 2 seed from the Western Division, led 17-11 at the half and 28-18 after three quarters.

Karissa Williams scored 11 points to pace Flathead Valley. Corey Connerly was next with 10 points.

Williams entered the contest eight points short of 1,000 career points. She had two 3s in the game to give her 135 for her career.

Stillwater Christian 7 7 8 11 — 33

Bozeman Christian 5 12 1 9 — 27

STILLWATER CHRISTIAN SCHOOL — Ramey Metzger 3, Abigail Hudson 1, Katie Wilkey 2, Helen Hashley 8, Lulu Neumann 9, Katie Venman 1, Selah Neumann 7, Asiah Brockington 2.

BOZEMAN CHRISTIAN SCHOOL — Cloe Robinson 3, Caitlin Sayer 6, Molly Lundby 9, Avincee Wilmot, Isabella Valdez 4, Nicole case 1.

Thursday

Stillwater Christian 10 18 15 8 — 51

Gallatin Valley 8 0 4 7 — 19

STILLWATER CHRISTIAN — Victoria Hanson 4, Ramey Metzger 5, Abigail Hudson 2, Claire Erb 3, Katie Wilkey 2, Helen Hashley 14, Katie Venman 2, Selah Neumann 17, Madison Morken 2.

GALLATIN VALLEY HOMESCHOOL — Kathryn Westlake 3, Brynna Wolfe 10, Randi Andrews 2, Alexa Lewis 4.

Foothills Christian 9 2 7 3 — 21

Flathead Valley 9 8 11 4 — 32

FOOTHILLS CHRISTIAN SCHOOL — Vittoria Mendez 2, Raina Lindseth 2, Kerleigh Fulbright 4, Kenzie Huston 13.

FLATHEAD VALLEY HOMESCHOOL — Codi Kenney 9, Corey Connerly 10, Cassidy Husted 2, Karissa Williams 11.