Lady Lions clinch first state berth since 2005

EUREKA — Katie Schmidt scored 16 points in the fourth quarter to power the Eureka Lions’ 54-50 comeback win over the Missoula Loyola Breakers (last year’s Class B co-champion) in a semifinal game at the Western B basketball divisional on Thursday.

The win guarantees Eureka a spot at the State B tournament in Billings next week, the program’s third time in school history and first appearance since 2005.

Schmidt had a total of 17 points — her fourth quarter points were her first since a free throw make in the first quarter.

Eureka trailed Loyola, who beat the Lions twice in the regular season, by nine points at the half. The Lions outscored the Breakers 38-28 the rest of the way.

Schmidt went 8-for-11 at the line and the Lions collectively made 19 of 25 shots at the charity stripe. Loyola was similarly accurate, making 20 of 25.

Michael Shea scored 12 for the Lions and made six of eight free throws, and Kyla Bohne added 11 points. Bohne fouled out in the fourth and Shea and Schmidt stepped up to the plate.

“Those two seniors just killed it for us,” Lions coach Ryan Holder said.

For the Breakers, Lani Walker scored 19 points and Natalie Clevenger added 18.

Loyola will play Florence in loser-out play at 11:30 a.m. today. In the championship game at 7:45 p.m. today, Eureka will face Anaconda, who beat Thompson Falls 54-38 in Thursday night’s semifinal.

Loyola 9 13 11 17 – 50

Eureka 8 5 14 24 – 54

LOYOLA – Natalie Clevenger 18, Laney Denning 7, Lani Walker 19, Kelsey Esh 5, Evelyn Demblans-Deschans 1.

EUREKA – Dylan Sharp 2, Michael Shea 12, Kyla Bohne 11, Katie Schmidt 17, Reena Truman 3, Jadyn Pluid 9.

Bigfork 51, Deer Lodge 14

EUREKA — The Bigfork Valkyries overcame first-quarter foul trouble to stun the Deer Lodge Wardens 51-14 in loser-out play at the Western B divisional Thursday morning.

Bigfork picked up seven team fouls in the first, including two each on starters Madison Chappius and Scout Nadeau.

Deer Lodge did not score a field goal until the three-minute mark of the second quarter. The Wardens got as close as 15 points in the third, but Bigfork went on a 22-0 run to close out the game.

Nadeau paced Bigfork with 12 points, Chappius had eight, and Emma Berreth scored nine points. Alexis Saari scored six points, five of which came in the opening minute of the third quarter.

For Deer Lodge, Taryn Lamb scored nine points.

The Valkyries will play Thompson Falls in loser-out play today at 11:30 a.m.

Deer Lodge 1 5 8 0 – 14

Bigfork 6 16 11 18 – 51

BIGFORK – Emma Berreth 9, Audrey Buenz 4, Madison Chappius 8, Alexis Saari 6, Scout Nadeau 12, Quinn Nissan 4, Callie Gambala 8.

DEER LODGE – Taryn Lamb 9, Courtney Boese 3, Natalie Spring 2.