Wildkats rebound, bounce Ronan at Western A tourney
Columbia Falls senior guard Dani Douglas goes up for two of her 25 points against Ronan at the Western A Divisional Basketball Tourament in Butte Friday. (Jeremy Weber photo)
Libby's Ryggs Johnston goes up for two of his 12 points against Ronan at the Western Divisional Tournament in Butte Friday. (Jeremy Weber photo)
BUTTE — Dani Douglas dropped 25 points to help Columbia Falls overcome Micalann McCrea and Ronan 71-59 in loser-out play at the girls basketball Western A divisional tournament on Friday at the Butte Civic Center.
McCrea also poured in 25 for the Maidens, but strong starts to both halves gave the Wildkats enough separation to outlast a fourth-quarter surge by Ronan.
Columbia Falls outscored Ronan a combined 45-26 in the first and third quarters. The Maidens won the fourth quarter 19-14.
The Wildkats, the defending Class A state champions, bounced back from their third loss in four games thanks to Douglas’ big day plus important contributions from her supporting cast.
Trista Cowan threw in 17, Ryley Kehr chipped in 14 and Hannah Gedlaman added 12 for Columbia Falls.
Douglas’ 25 points were just shy of her career-high 28, which she scored earlier this season against Corvallis.
Columbia Falls will face Dillon, which lost to Browning in semifinal action Friday, today at 11 a.m. in the consolation semifinals. The winner will lock up a state tournament bid.
Columbia Falls 22 12 23 14 — 71
Ronan 14 14 12 19 — 59
Columbia Falls: Dani Douglas 25, Hannah Gedlaman 12, Ryley Kehr 14, Trista Cowan 17, Josie Windauer 3.
Ronan: Micalann McCrea 25, Gabby Wirz 2, Tiana Ulutoa 11, Jaelyn Askan 8, Kianna Finley 8, Kieauna DeRoche 3, Rhiley Big Beaver 2.
Hamilton 44, Libby 33
BUTTE — Libby struggled offensively in a loser-out defeat at the hands of Hamilton.
The Loggers trailed by only three entering the fourth quarter thanks to a solid defensive effort, but Hamilton outscored them 17-9 in the final eight minutes to pull away and end Libby’s season.
Jayden Winslow scored 13 points to earn scoring honors for Libby.
Hamilton 13 4 10 17 — 44
Libby 8 7 9 9 — 33
Hamilton: Tessa Della Silva 1, Tristan Searle 2, Mallory McGill 9, Cariann Kunkel 13, Lauren Ryter 6, Kara Nye 10, Jordan Taggart 3.
Libby: Alli Collins 7, Jayden Winslow 13, Khalyn Hageness 1, Shannon Reny 8, Brooklyn Rainer 4.
Butte Central 37,
Frenchtown 19
BUTTE — Butte Central shut down Frenchtown in a semifinal win.
Individual stats were not available by press deadline.
The Maroons will face Browning, which defeated Dillon in the other semifinal contest, in the Western A championship game at 8:30 p.m. today.
Frenchtown moves to the consolation bracket, where it will square off with Hamilton in loser-out action at 11 a.m.
Browning 53, Dillon 31
BUTTE — Browning stifled Dillon to advance to the Western A title game. Individual stats were not available by press deadline.
The Indians will play Butte Central, which downed Frenchtown in the opposite semifinal game, today at 8:30 p.m.
Dillon falls to loser-out play, where it will see defending state champion Columbia Falls at 11 a.m.
Late Thursday
Browning 61,
Hamilton 56 (OT)
BUTTE — Browning outlasted Hamilton in overtime to win its first-round game late Thursday night.
The Indians overcame a 12-point halftime deficit, outscoring the Broncs 34-22 in the second half, to force overtime. Browning won the overtime period 9-4.
Taylor Jordan poured in 17 to pace Browning. Olivia Hall threw in 16, and Dulci Skunkcap added 12.
Hamilton 11 19 12 10 4 — 56
Browning 10 8 18 16 9 — 61
Hamilton: Tessa Della Silva 9, Tristan Searle 3, Mallory McGill 15, Cariann Kunkel 17, Lauren Ryter 6, Kara Nye 3, Jordan Taggart 3.
Browning: Olivia Hall 16, Taylor Jordan 17, Ronnal Jordan 9, Dulci Skunkcap 12, Tamilka Guardipee 4, Lacie Goss 3.
Boys
Browning 77, Polson 70
BUTTE — A strong finish allowed Browning to overcome a halftime deficit in a loser-out victory over Polson, whose season ends less than a week after a surprising run to the Northwest A conference championship.
Fueled by Shade Main’s 21 points, the Pirates posted 25 points in the first quarter and carried a 40-34 lead to the locker room at the half.
But Browning came roaring back in the second half behind explosive scoring performances from Nathaniel Stiffarm (30 points) and Brandon Aimsback (22). The Indians outscored Polson 43-30 in the final 16 minutes.
Asa Askan added 18 points for Polson, and Connor Lanier poured in 16.
Browning, which defeated Polson in both meetings during the regular season, advanced to the consolation semifinals, where it will face Dillon today at 9:30 a.m. The Beavers lost to Hamilton in Friday’s semifinals.
The winner of the Browning-Dillon matchup will advance to the consolation finals, thus locking up a spot in the state tournament.
Polson 25 15 9 21 — 70
Browning 15 19 18 25 — 77
Polson: Asa Askan 18, Connor Lanier 16, Shade Main 21, Sam Schultz 1, Robin Erickson 10, Trevor Schultz 4.
Browning: Nathaniel Stiffarm 30, Derek Loring 10, Justin Burd 8, Tyree Whitcomb 5, C.J. Smith 2, Brandon Amisback 22.
Ronan 51, Libby 32
BUTTE — Ronan never sweated as it pulled away from Libby early for a comfortable win in loser-out play.
Ryggs Johnston led a sputtering Libby offense with 12 points. Anthony Camel paced Ronan with 18, and Ezekiel Misa contributed 12.
The Chiefs advanced to face Butte Central, which lost to Frenchtown in Friday’s semifinals, in the consolation semis at 9:30 a.m. today. The winner of that contest will earn a bid to the state tournament.
Ronan 16 14 12 9 — 51
Libby 2 8 11 11 — 32
Ronan: Ezekiel Misa 12, Nate Dennis 2, Dallas Durheim 6, Anthony Camel 18, Randy Finley 9, Bryant Hales 2, Vincent Bird-Webster 2.
Libby: Brian Peck 2, Ryggs Johnston 12, Jay Beagle 6, Nik Jones 4, Keith Johnson 7, Kevin Barnes 1.
Hamilton 56, Dillon 44
BUTTE — Hamilton methodically pulled away from Dillon in a semifinal matchup to advance to today’s Western A championship game and secure its place in the state tournament.
The Broncs took a 30-24 lead by halftime and outscored the Beavers 26-20 in the second half.
Tanner Goligoski sent home a game-high 18 points, and Carter Kearns tallied 14.
Ten Dillon players scored, but none reached double figures.
Hamilton will face Frenchtown at 6:30 p.m. today with the Western A crown on the line. Dillon fell to the loser-out semifinals, where it will play Browning at 9:30 a.m.
Hamilton 17 13 15 11 — 56
Dillon 12 12 10 10 — 44
Hamilton: Cam Rothie 6, Tyler Chouinard 6, Hunter Omlid 8, Tanner Goligoski 18, Carter Kearns 14, Carson Rostad 2, Bridger Bauder 2.
Dillon: Coby King 7, Braden Anderson 5, Bradley Rakich 5, Jace Fizgerald 6, Clay Allison 9, Jake Ferris 2, Wes Korpi 2, Justus Peterson 3, Dylan Cervelli 3, Cole Truman 2.
Frenchtown 45,
Butte Central 43 (OT)
BUTTE — Frenchtown’s Jared Cole drilled a corner 3 with less than two seconds remaining in overtime to stun Butte Central in a semifinal matchup, punching its tickets to today’s Western A title game and the state tournament.
The Maroons rallied in the second half to force overtime and led by one as time dwindled, only to see the Broncs escape with the victory thanks to Cole’s fateful shot.
Braden Harrington scored a game-high 15 for Butte Central.
Cole paced the victors with 12.
Frenchtown tips off against Hamilton in the Western A title game today at 6:30 p.m. Butte Central will battle Ronan in the consolation semifinals at 9:30 a.m.
Butte Central 8 7 15 8 5 — 43
Frenchtown 9 10 12 7 7 — 45
Butte Central: Jared Simkins 4, Luke Heaphy 4, Dylan Sestrich 2, Cade Holter 10, Aaron Richards 4, Matt Simkins 4, Braden Harrington 15.
Frenchtown: Ethan Pyron 5, Cade Baker 5, Zack Baker 8, Adam Botkin 8, Hank Rugg 3, Jared Cole 12, Brock Diehl 2.