Whitefish’s rally comes up short against Hardin; Polson falls to Ronan at State A

GREAT FALLS — Whitefish’s comeback fell short against Hardin in a 53-37 consolation final loss Saturday at the State A basketball tournament.

Hardin took third (and a state trophy), and Whitefish was fourth at the tournament. Whitefish beat Columbia Falls for the first time in 13 years to make it to the consolation final. Hardin was Class A co-champion last year with Butte Central.

The Bulldogs trailed Hardin by 14 at the half, but Whitefish’s 12-0 run to start the third cut the deficit to 27-25.

Alyssa Pretty Weasel’s inside basket got Hardin back on track and leading 29-25 with just under three minutes to play in the third. Hardin led 35-29 to end that quarter and started to pull away in the fourth.

Gracie Smyley fueled Whitefish’s effort with 12 points and seven rebounds. Brook Smith added 10 points, six rebounds and two steals.

Pretty Weasel’s double-double led Hardin — she had 11 points, 11 rebounds and added three steals. Kamber Good Luck also scored 11 and had two rebounds.

Whitefish finished the season 15-8. Hardin was 16-5.

The Havre Blue Ponies won the State A title 64-60 in double overtime over Billings Central.

Whitefish 6 7 16 8 – 37

Hardin 18 9 8 18 – 53

WHITEFISH – Jadi Walburn 2, Erin Wilde 3, Ashton Ramsey 5, Jenny Patten 3, Mikenna Ells 2, Gracie Smyley 12, Brook Smith 10.

HARDIN – Kylee Old Elk 5, Nevaeh Alden 4, Dierra Takes Enemy 7, Alyssa Pretty Weasel 11, Katerena Morrisson 1, Kamber Good Luck 11, Breanna Old Elk 3, Aiyanna Big Man 5, Lexis Hogan 2, Alaina Woods 4.

Boys

Ronan 38, Polson 37

GREAT FALLS — The Ronan Chiefs scraped by the Polson Pirates 38-37 Saturday morning at the State A basketball tournament in a loser-out semifinal.

Girma Detwiler led Ronan with a double-double — 10 points, 11 rebounds — and six blocks. Ronan won the rebound battle, with 41 to Polson’s 26.

Polson’s Colton Graham also had a double-double, with 10 points and 10 rebounds.

Ronan went on to face Laurel in the third place game. The Locomotives won 56-49.

Billings Central defeated unbeaten Dillon 49-39 in the championship game to take home the State A boy’s basketball title.

Ronan 9 13 8 8 – 38

Polson 8 6 12 11 – 37

RONAN – Ruben Couture 5, Girma Detwiler 10, Zarec Couture 5, Elijah Tonasket 2, Leonard Burke 3, Payton Cates 2, Sage Coffman 5, Marlo Tonasket 6.

POLSON – Xavier Fisher 4, Jarrett Wilson 7, Darian Williams 7, Colton Graham 10, Braunson Henricksen 6, Alex Muzquiz 1, Trevor Lake 2.