The Lady Falcons of Florence are right where they want to be going into this week's Western B Divisional Tournament. They are on the opposite side of the bracket from Missoula Loyola, setting up a possible rematch of the 7B title game for this week's Western B Divisional. That tournament, featuring the top four teams from District 8B and the top four from District 7B, will be held at the Sister Rita Mudd Athletic Center in Missoula.

Florence opened their tournament play with a bye because of their second place finish in the regular season. After taking Thursday off, the Lady Falcons took on the Powell County Wardens. These two teams matched up quite well and it was evident throughout the game.

The Florence team played strong in the first half and took an 11-point lead into the locker room at the half. But the Deer Lodge team came right back with Jackee Beck scoring 12 points, her total for the night, in the second half. The Wardens stayed strong in the fourth quarter but they couldn't contain Florence phenom Brooke Zeiler who scored eight points in that quarter. Zeiler sealed the victory with a last second basket and gave the Lady Falcons a berth in the title game. Final score, Florence 45, Deer Lodge 43.

The Loyola Breakers have not lost in over 40 games and they were determined not to lose to Florence in the championship game Saturday night. However, Florence was just as determined not to let the game slide into a blowout similar to last year's championship game.

Both teams came out strong, but Loyola soon built up a lead. Freshman Odessa Conley hit a jump shot at the buzzer to narrow the gap to only four points. The 5'9" freshman has stepped up as the sixth man on the team and made some good contributions, according to coach Bryan Neuman.

"Everything considered, they (Loyola) are better shooters than we are," said Neuman. "But you have to take something away. We tried to take their inside game away and did for the most part."

Although Loyola continued to shoot well, Florence did not lose their composure and continued to stay in the game. Although Florence never pulled close again, coach Neuman was pleased with his team's play.

"I'm very satisfied," he said. "We didn't let it get out of hand like it has in the past. We just played hard."

Florence was led by Jordan Rick's nine points.

Florence will play on Thursday, February 22, at 8 p.m. They will take on the Plains Horsemen, the No. 3 seed from the north.

Loyola 55, Florence 37 (championship)

Florence - Rae Baerlocher 6, Brooke Zeiler 8, Amber Wahl 7, Jordan Rick 9, Odessa Conley 4, Cortney Reynolds 3.
Loyola - Herzog 4, Ward 2, Grimstad 20, Janssen 9, Tschida 14, Anderson 6.

Florence 45, Deer Lodge 43 (semi final)

Deer Lodge - Brott 14, Christnacht 5, Owens 4, Beck 12, Burns 8
Florence - Rae Baerlocher 13, Brooke Zeiler 15, Amber Wahl 9, Jordan Rick 4, Cortney Reynolds 2, Odessa Conley 2.

Darby opened the tournament against Seeley-Swan on Thursday. The two teams played to a one-point difference at the half but the Blackhawks broke loose in the third quarter and took the 31-21 victory. Darby was paced by Celia Baird's six points.

Seeley-Swan 31, Darby 21

Darby - Kayla Schallenberger 3, Missy DeWalt 2, Gianna Stone 2, Lindsey Trowbridge 4, Maria Cress 4, Celia Baird 6.
Seeley - Baier 2, Meyer 3, Anderson 3, Miller 4, Murphy 10, Stone 5, Parcell 4.

Darby came up short against Deer Lodge in loser out action on Saturday morning. The Wardens came out strong, holding Darby to only 17 points in the first three quarters. Darby was paced by Missy DeWalt's eight points.

Deer Lodge 48, Darby 30 (LO)

Darby - Kayla Schallenberger 4, Missy DeWalt 8, Gianna Stone 5, Lindsey Trowbridge 2, Maria Cress 1, Kasey Blue 7.
Deer Lodge - Brott 9, Christnacht 4, Quigley 1, Owens 10, Beck 14.

Falcons finish third at district

The Florence Falcons are a team. Acccording to coach Sam Baerlocher, they are unselfish and work hard to make the play. That tenacity paid off in Hamilton at the District 7B tournament. The Falcons finished third, with their fourth win of the season over Deer Lodge. Now, Florence and Deer Lodge, and Seeley-Swan and Loyola, will advance to the Western B Divisional Tournament next week in Polson.

Florence had to play four games to claim the third place trophy, including the always miserable Saturday morning loser out game.

"Saturday morning games are no fun," said Baerlocher. "Nobody sleeps the night before. You throw the records out and it's a dog fight."

Florence opened the tournament against Deer Lodge with a 58-43 victory and they closed the tournament against Deer Lodge with a 63-43 win. In between, the Falcons lost to Seeley Swan, 61-44, and then defeated Darby, 42-30, Saturday morning.

Deer Lodge has some strong athletes who are quick and have a good eye for the shot. But for every shot taken, there was a Falcon there to block or rebound the ball in both games.

The opening game saw Deer Lodge jump out to an early lead but Florence slowly and methodically played their game of tough defense and put points on the board until midway through the third quarter when Jordan Dean sank a short jump shot and the Falcons took the lead. The Falcons never gave up the lead again and went on to win, 58-43. Kris Person and Kiel Hansen stepped up and scored 15 points apiece in that game.

Although the Falcons played Seeley fairly close for three quarters, the Blackhawks broke loose for 22 points in the final period to claim the 61-44 victory. Freshman Reid Baerlocher scored 14 points for Florence.

"Darby played us very tough," said coach Baerlocher of the Saturday morning game. "Luckily we were fortunate to get out of there with a win."

Florence defeated Darby, 42-30. Darby was paced by Dillon Oliver's 15 points. Florence was led by Person's 11 points.

Then it was Deer Lodge, again. The two teams were tired but neither would give an inch. At the end of the half, Deer Lodge led by only two points. But then Dean sank a bucket and then Person came back and sank another and the foul shot and the Falcons were up by two. Deer Lodge held on but trailed by five at the end of three quarters.

"It was a team effort," said Baerlocher. "Every possession, we got a decent shot."

The Person-to-Hansen path opened in the fourth quarter and the two seniors sank several shots which gave Florence some breathing room. Deer Lodge's shooting dropped off while the Falcons' shooting increased. Florence cruised in the fourth quarter to a 61-41 victory.

"It feels fabulous to win," said Baerlocher. "With seven turnovers for the game and 94% from the free throw line, it was great."

Kris Person agreed with his coach. "To go out with a win, that's what we needed to do to get some momentum going into divisional. Our plan all along has been not to peak too soon. I think we did a pretty good job doing that. We're right on pace, right where we want to be."

Florence 42, Darby 30 (LO)

Darby - John Pyles 3, Kyle Rider 5, Dillon Oliver 15, Mike Stanford 2, Paul Abrahamson 2, Jeremy Trueax 3.
Florence - Joe Redfern 6, Keil Hansen 9, Jordan Dean 6, Kris Person 11, Reid Baerlocher 10.

Florence 63, Deer Lodge 43 (consolation)

Florence - Reid Baerlocher 6, Joe Redfern 14, Kiel Hansen 8, Jordan Dean 12, Kris Person 17, Derec Stephens 6.
Deer Lodge - Niederklein 15, Hansen 4, King 9, Johnson 2, Despain 2, Miller 5, Stefalo 6.

Seeley 61, Florence 44 (semi final)

Florence - Reid Baerlocher 14, Kiel Hansen 6, Jordan Dean 11, Kris Person 4, Brandon Lorenson 3, Derec Stephens 4, Damon Moe 2.
Seeley - Stone 14, Nelson 14, Cahoon 6, Hard 4, Mudrow 2, Williams 10, Parcell 11.

Florence 58, Deer Lodge 43

Deer Lodge - Thomas 11, Neiderklein 7, Hansen 11, King 4, Antila 3, Despain 1, Miller 4, Phillips 2
Florence - Dustin Lind 3, Joe Redfern 10, Kiel Hansen 15, Jordan Dean 11, Kris Person 15, Reid Baerlocher 4.

Victor's season ends

The Victor Pirates lost a heartbreaker to Lincoln on Saturday in loser out action and will not advance to the Western C Divisional. Michael Wemple's 22 points were not enough as the Pirates fell, 53-49.

The Pirates came out strong in the first game of the tournament, defeating Two Eagle River School, 56-47. They then advanced to the semi final game where they met up with Noxon.

Noxon's Joey Larken scored 27 points and powered the Red Devils over Victor, 53-38. The Pirates were led by sophomore Gatlin Lamb's 12 points.

Page One •	Valley News •	Op/Ed •	Sports •	Calendar •	Classifieds •	Links •	About Us •	Back Issues •	Email Us •	Home
©2004 Bitterroot Star This site was Done By Dooney