Polson boys in Western A semis
HAMILTON — It was a barn-burner for Browning and a stuck tractor for Columbia Falls Thursday, as both teams lost in the opening round of the Western A Divisional boys basketball tournament.
Polson was the lone Northwest A winner, holding off Hamilton 50-47 on its home court.
Browning fell to Frenchtown 71-70 in triple overtime, before Butte Central scored the first 21 points of the game on the way to a 64-34 win over Columbia Falls.
In the afternoon session Dillon beat Libby 72-59; the Beavers (18-3) will face Polson (13-6) in the 5 p.m. semifinal.
Dillon (21-1) and Frenchtown (14-6) square off at 3:30 p.m.
The Indians and Wildcats will meet at 8:30 a.m. in a loser-out game, with Browning having won the two regular-season matchups by 1 and 31 points.
Frenchtown 71, Browning 70 3OT
Four Browning players reached double figures, led by Justice Johnson’s 14 points. Jesse Carlson hit three 3-pointers on the way to 13 points.
The Broncs roared back in the fourth quarter to force the first overtime, with Kellen Klempel scoring seven of his 13 points in the frame. In the overtimes Devin Shelton added seven points; he finished with 19.
Braids Vielk added 12 points and Taylor Burdeau 10 off the bench for Browning.
Browning 8 14 13 12 7 4 7 - 70
Frenchtown 16 2 14 20 7 4 8 - 71
BROWNING — Justice Johnson 14, Jesse Carlson 13, Joe Bulshoe 5, Maurice Red Horn III 9, Tommy Runningrabbit 5, Brayds Vielk 12, Taylor Burdeau 10, Ty’Shay Bear Medicine 4.
FRENCHTOWN — Devin Shelton 19, Eli Quinn 12, Connor Michaud 17, Kellen Klimpel 13, Sully Belcourt 4, Keaton Simpson 2, Jeremy Velasquez 4.
Butte Central 64, Columbia Falls
Dougie Peoples hit three 3-pointers on the way to 17 points to lead the Maroons.
Three more Maroons reached double figures, led by Kyle Holter’s 15 points.
Mark Robison hit four treys and scored 16 points to lead the Wildcats. Bryce Sestrich scored eight points in Butte Central’s first-quarter burst and finished with 10.
Columbia Falls 0 13 8 13 - 34
Butte Central 21 12 17 14 - 64
COLUMBIA FALLS — Cade Morgan 2, Alihn Anderson 2, Jace Hill 2, Cody Schweikert 6, Mark Robison 16, Bryce Dunham 2, Hunter Goodman 4.
BUTTE CENTRAL — Bryce Sestrich 10, Dougie Peoples 17, Kyle Holter 15, Eric Loos 10, Joseph Sehulster 7, Zane Moodry 2, George Riojas 3.
Dillon 72, Libby 59
Connor Curnow’s 16 points led a balanced attack for the Beavers, who made a 34-23 halftime lead stand up against Libby.
Tyler and TJ Andersen each scored 14 points for the Loggers (14-6); Tyler Andersen hit four 3-pointers and TJ hit two. Caen Williams added 13 points and Ryder Davis escorted 12.
Libby has an 11 a.m. loser-out game with Hamilton next. The Loggers faced Hamilton in the preseason Frenchtown Tip-off, losing 54-45.
Libby 11 12 14 22 - 59
Dillon 16 18 14 24 - 72
LIBBY — Ryder Davis 12, Cy Stevenson 4, Caden Williams 13, TJ Andersen 4, Kaleb Folk 2, Tyler Andersen 14.
DILLON — Connor Curnow 16, Ceden Hansen 14, Eli Nourse 15, Jonathan Kirkley 8, Callahan Hoffman 7, Max Davis 5, Kee Christiansen 5, Tyler Lagunas 2.
Polson 50, Hamilton 47
Colton Graham scored 18 points, including three fourth-quarter free throws as the Pirates held off a Hamilton rally.
The Broncs’ Eli Taylor fueled a comeback with nine fourth-quarter points; he finished with 18. Asher Mangess added 14 for Hamilton.
Trent Wilson scored 15 points and Jarrett Wilson 11 for Polson.
Hamilton 5 15 10 17 - 47
Polson 5 13 16 6 - 50
HAMILTON — Eli Taylor 18, Asher Magness 14, Cole Dickemore 6, Tyson Rostad 5, Max Cianflone 4.
POLSON — Colton Graham 18, Trent Wilson 15, Jarrett Wilson 11, Dawson Dumont 6.