FVHS Crusaders take 3rd in Nationals bracket

SPRINGFIELD, Mo. — Codi Kenney hit five 3-pointers and scored 29 points in her final high school game, helping Flathead Valley Home School to a third-place finish in the Division II bracket at the NBHS HomeSchool Nationals Friday.

Corey Connerly added 19 points in the Crusaders’ 72-68 win over Round Rock, Texas. They had to overcome 36 points poured in by Texan Bree Popejoy, who hit six 3-pointers.

Connerly hit two free throws with 18 seconds left to push the FVHS lead to 71-68; after a Round Rock miss, Kenney — who returned to action after a turned ankle — hit one free throw with six seconds left to seal it.

The victory came after an all-star squad that called itself Team USA handed Flathead Valley a 65-48 loss in Thursday’s semifinals.

Kenney had four 3-pointers on the way to 17 points in the Crusaders’ loss. Connerly added 12 points in that game. Team USA ended up winning the bracket.

The Crusaders went 4-2 at the tournament.

Kenney finished her career with 1,153 points and her 172 threes included 20 in Springfield. Connerly, the Crusaders’ only other senior, ended with career totals of 980 points and 968 rebounds.

Friday

FVHS 16 17 23 16 - 72

Round Rock 14 14 20 20 - 68

FLATHEAD VALLEY HOME SCHOOL - Aurora Howery 2, Codi Kenney 29, Abby Weiser 8, Corey Connerly 19, Makaila Burlingame 9, Ellie Kenney 3, Brianna Mack 2.

ROUND ROCK - Bree Popejoy 36, Sky Miller 5, Makaya Hayes 2, Val Milsap 13, Jessie Curry 7, Nancy Ste3phens 3, Baylor Wilson 3.

Thursday

Team USA 19 12 16 18 - 65

FVHS 13 11 15 9 - 48

TEAM USA - Chaeli Criddle 23, Lauren Sansano 20, Katie Martus 4, Lydia Weimer 6, Hannah Reimer 4, Abigail Williams 6, Riley Lincoln 2.

FLATHEAD VALLEY HOME SCHOOL - Howery 2, C. Kenney 17, Mack 2, Wiser 6, Connerly 12, E. Kenney 2, Burlingame 7.