Like the Yellowjackets they are named for, the boys from Stevensville pestered, stung, and generally made life miserable for the Dillon Beavers on Saturday night. And with their ‘NoWhoa’ attitude, the combination brought home the first divisional championship in four years. Stevensville handed Dillon their first defeat by a Class A team in two years with a final score of 63-50 in the Southwestern A Divisional championship game.

‘No Whoa’ graces the warm-ups for the Stevensville boys and it is certainly true of this team that just keeps going and going. They didn’t stop when Dillon came out and scored first. They didn’t stop at the end of the first quarter when Dillon’s inside game and rebounders put the Beavers up by five. And they didn’t stop at the end of the first half even though the Beavers were still in the lead.

The Beavers hadn’t counted on coach Keith Chambers and his team doing their homework. And they hadn’t counted on Logan Creech. By the end of the half, Creech had hit four of seven three-point shots and three of four free throws. He was clearly in a groove.

“After you play a team for the third time,” said Chambers, “if you’ve done your homework, you should be able to figure out something.”

The Yellowjackets had it figured out after three games. And even better, according to Chambers, they executed the game plan and did exactly what they were supposed to do. In their last meeting, Dillon scored 24 points on lay ups according to Chambers. One of Stevi’s goals was to change that statistic.

After the half, Dillon began focusing on Creech and that opened up opportunities for the rest of the Yellowjackets. Nick Dahlquist tied the game at 34 and then Richie Brushia hit a pull up jumper to take the lead. By the end of the quarter, there was a spring in the steps of the Yellowjackets although they trailed by three.

Creech hit his final three treys in the first four minutes of the final quarter with the last one giving Stevensville the lead. Then it was Dahlquist with a huge block on Dillon’s Stephen Resset. Drew Zeiler hit four quick free throws and the Beavers were chewing their fingernails, wondering what had happened.

“We were going to beat them no matter what,” said Creech who set a personal record of seven treys in a game in high school. “It wasn’t just me though. I think everybody played well tonight.”

Creech finished with 29 points. “Logan, he’s a shooter,” said Chambers. “But I’m most proud of his defense tonight.”

“I thought I was dreaming at first,” said Creech. “But then, with 30 seconds left, I knew I wasn’t.”

Stevensville – Drew Zeiler 10, Nick Dahlquist 16, Ethan Pateman 2, Logan Creech 29, Richie Brushia 6

Dillon – Bryce Carver 18, Tim Goins 3, Michael Allen 3, Stephen Resset 6, Brock Myllymaki 7, Corey Eisenzimer 7, Dillon Whitting 6.

The Yellowjackets will have the final game on opening day of the State A tournament, which is being held at the Metra in Billings. They will play the winner of the Laurel/Sidney challenge game.

Stevensville began their quest for the championship against rival Corvallis on Friday. The two teams played evenly with the lead changing at almost every possession in the first half. One point separated the two at the end of the half.

Stevensville’s Ethan Pateman was matched up against the taller Dalton Sybrant but Pateman was containing the offensive threat.

“We just played defense,” said Pateman. “I wanted to make him play behind me so it was tough for him to get the ball and then I could get some backside help from my teammates.”

Stevensville took a two-point lead into the fourth quarter. Both teams were still playing hard with the freshman Rodee Anderson sparking Corvallis and making baskets. But sophomore Drew Zeiler had an answer for the Blue Devils as did the rest of the ‘Jackets.

With 55 seconds remaining, Boone Chambers hit both shots from the foul line to put Stevi up by three. Pateman came right back with a huge steal and lay-up to put a little cushion on the lead. Stevensville went on to win, 59-54. Zeiler led all scorers with 20 points. Chambers added 13 and Pateman and Nick Dahlquist scored 11 and 10 points respectively.

“That took a lot out of us,” said Corvallis Coach Dave Bradshaw. “I think that game could have gone either way. We were close to playing into the championship.”

“You just can’t get the cart ahead of the horse,” said Chambers. “You have to take it one game at a time. It was a battle. They are a team that’s been playing a lot better the last part of the season, but I thought our effort was tremendous on the defensive end.”

Corvallis – Rodee Anderson 16, Braden Bowles 8, Matt Smith 10, Nick Stoker 2, Casey Seaman 2, Garrett Morris 5, Dalton Sybrant 11.

Stevensville – Zeiler 20, Boone Chambers 13, Dahlquist 11, Pateman 10, Creech 5.

Hamilton Finishes Third

The Southwerstern A Boys Tournament opened with a battle of the Broncs on

Thursday afternoon. Hamilton went into the tournament as the No. 4 seed and Frenchtown was the No. 5 seed. Hamilton relied on a strong fourth quarter to take the 34-27 win who were down two players. Ben Endicott was out with an illness and Britt Farley was out with an injury.

“Anytime you lose two contributing seniors come tournament time, your back is up against the wall,” said coach Toby Stack.

Frenchtown came out and played a stall game in the low scoring match. Although they trailed at the half, the Hamilton Broncs were patient and came back in the fourth quarter to win. Jake Jessop came through with seven points in the final stanza to power the Broncs to the win. Jason Schallenberger led the scoring with 10.

“We were able to fight through the stall and show some mental toughness when it came down to the end of the game,” said Stack. “It’s nice to get the first one. The game itself was ugly but the kids had a lot of energy.

Hamilton – Ben Jessop 1, Jason Schallenberger 10, Ryan Turley 8, Evan Green 2, Jake Jessop 9, Kyle Crowley 2, Justin Gillespie 2.

Frenchtown – Velasquez 3, Dahlberg 13, Wilde 5, Davis 2, Normand 2, Kirk 2.

After defeating Frenchtown in their opening game, the Hamilton Broncs took on the defending state champion Dillon Beavers on Friday afternoon. Hamilton came out fired up and took and early lead but once the Beavers got their momentum going, behind senior Bryce Carver, they took off.

Schallenberger dropped in seven quick points to put the Broncs up by five midway through the first quarter but the Broncs couldn’t find the formula to stop Carver and company on the other end of the court. Carver dropped in five of seven treys in the first half alone and powered the way for the 60-47 victory.

Hamilton was not going to just turn the win over to Dillon though. They only trailed by one point at the end of the first quarter and stayed right with them in the third quarter. The Broncs actually outscored Dillon in the fourth quarter but it was that pesky second quarter that was the difference in the game.

“I know, we played three out of four quarters,” said Hamilton coach Toby Stack. “We felt that we were prepared for them but that second quarter is what really did us in.”

Dillon went to work on the inside with Cory Eisenzimer crashing the boards and Carver hitting from outside. Schallenberger, who finished with 20 points, did make a couple of baskets but it wasn’t enough.

Although the Broncs got frustrated at times, they kept playing tough and in your face ball throughout the game. But it wasn’t enough and Dillon topped Hamilton, 60-47. Hamilton was led by Schallenberger’s 20 points.

“Our goal is still the same, to get to state,” said Stack. “It’s just a different path that we have to take.”

Dillon – Carver 22, Goins 8, Allen 2, Boka 3, Resset 3, Myllymaki 2, Whiting 10, Eisenzimer 10.

Hamilton – Crowley 2, B. Jessop 3, Schallenberger 20, Turley 15, Willmarth 2, Leonardi 4, Gillespie 1.

Hamilton had to play Anaconda in loser out action Saturday morning. The Broncs held off a late strike by the Copperheads to win, 67-63. Powered by seniors Schallenberger and Ryan Turley who combined to score 35 points, the Broncs were determined to play in the consolation game. Turley only missed three shots from the charity stripe, sinking seven.

Consolation game

It was a rematch of game one, only more exciting. Hamilton came out determined and had an eight point lead at the end of the first quarter. Not only were the Broncs attacking the basket, they were tough on defense as well and didn’t allow Frenchtown many looks at the basket. One factor may have been Evan Green who had been ill earlier in the week.

Frenchtown made a short run in the third quarter but just didn’t have enough steam to change the momentum. Hamitlon went in to a control game in the fourth quarter and controlled the clock for two minutes. Frenchtown’s Jesse Dahlberg was visibly drained and it was all he could do to make it up and down the court.

Hamilton held on to take the 42-30 victory and third place in the tournament. They finished their season with a 12-10 record. They couldn’t challenge because Stevensville defeated Dillon in the championship.

Frenchtown – Velasquez 2, Block 10, Dahlberg 6, Kirk 6, Wilde 2, Nau 4.

Hamilton – Kyle Crowley 2, Schallenberger 16, Turley 13, Holley 4, Evan Green 5, Gillespie 2.

Corvallis

The Corvallis Blue Devils opened their tournament play against Anaconda Thursday night. Corvallis came out strong

Corvallis controlled the game from the beginning. With Dalton Sybrant controlling the paint, and Matt Smith and Rodee Anderson scoring from outside, the Copperheads couldn’t find an answer for the Blue Devils. Add in that Garrett Morris had his game face on and it was the Blue Devils all the way to a 66-46 victory.

Freshman Anderson opened the Blue Devil scoring with a long trey. Next up was Smith who scored a jumper from just inside the arch and then another from outside the arc. Sybrant finished with 15 points and Smith had 13 but it was Morris who had the perfect game. He was five-of-five from the court and sank eight-of-eight free throws for 18 points. Corvallis had a 17 point lead at the end of the first quarter, allowing only four points for the Copperheads. It didn’t help the Copperheads that Sybrant recorded six blocked shots including a couple of spectacular swats.

Anaconda – Huber 2, Wagner 2, Collins 7, Dedman 11, Adler 10, Lucier 1, Wigert 3, Laslovich 3, Ferguson 2, Majors 5.

Corvallis – Rodee Anderson 8, Smith 13, Stoker 7, Morris 18, Sybrant 15, Spencer 2, Jessop 3,

The Blue Devils then played Stevensville in semi-final action. (See related story)

After losing to Stevensville, Corvallis then had to play Frenchtown in loser out action. Sat morning games have a bit of desperation about them, as one team will be going home.

Corvallis came playing poised and sticking to a slow, deliberate game. By the end of the first quarter, they had a three point lead. But Smith had already picked up two fouls. Frenchtown was determined as well. David Velasquez made a short jumper and then turned around and picked off a Blue Devil pass and completed it with a lay up to give the Broncs from the north a six point lead.

“We just never got it going,” said coach Dave Bradshaw of his Blue Devils. “Not even for three minutes when we felt like ourselves.”

Anderson, who plays all out all of the time, hit a running bank shot from just inside the half court line at the half time buzzer to give the Blue Devils a one point lead at the half. But in the second half, Corvallis just couldn’t seem to find their offensive groove. Turnovers hut the Blue Devils who had 21 in the 42-38 loser out game. Corvallis was a bit tentative in the second half and Frenchtown took advantage of that. Sybrant’s 14 points led the Blue Devils. Corvallis finished their season with a 10-11 record.

Pirates mauled by Bruins, finish fourth

After outgunning Alberton last Monday in a District 13C Challenge game, the Victor Pirates opened the Western C tournament in Butte on Thursday morning against the undefeated Twin Bridges Falcons. The game was at 9 a.m. and there were a few yawns in both the stands and on the court. There were flashes of what could have been in Thursday morning’s game but the Victor Pirates just couldn’t put together a run long enough to overcome the Twin Bridges Falcons, losing their opening game, 42-32.

“I thought we played a great game out there,” said coach Jay Jagelski of the Pirates. “They are a very disciplined and well coached team with great players.”

Eric Taylor put Victor’s first points on the board and continued his tough play throughout the game. He led the scoring for Victor with nine points. By the end of the first quarter, Twin Bridges only had a two point lead. But the Falcons went on a run early in the second quarter, and soon had a 10 point lead.

The margin held throughout the rest of the game although Victor was able to close the gap a time or two. One great play came just before the buzzer sounded at the end of the third quarter when Josh Hixon picked off a high pass and raced towards the Pirate basket. As he went up for the lay up, he dished to Chris Mai who was heading in for a possible rebound. That basket put the Pirates only five points down. A trey by Gatlin Lamb at the 4:20 mark pulled Victor within two points. But fouls got the best of the Pirates who sent the Falcons to the charity line for seven of their last 10 points.

“We came out and fell behind,” said Jagelski. “But the boys responded so well.

Victor – Gatlin Lamb 6, Eric Bissett 6, Eric Taylor 9, Mark Frye 6, Chris Mai 3, Tyler Swanson 2

Twin Bridges – Pierson 8, Hanson 6, Anderson 5, Schmit 2, Banks 2, Maily 13, Ashcraft 2, Tilstra 4.

With the loss, Jagelski said they had to look at getting third and then a possible challenge game. “It can be done. Twin Bridges is definitely the best team in the tournament.”

Victor then took on Hot Springs on Friday in loser out action. They took a one point lead into the locker room at half time but came back to take a 52-47 win. Taylor finished with 18 points.

Victor – Lamb 7, Bissett 4, Mai 8, Swanson 2, Taylor 18, Frye 13.

Hot Springs – Flagen 13, Malinak 6, Pavelich 9, Winebrenner 13, Farrier 4, Hoff 2.

Victor played Ennis on Saturday afternoon at 1:30 p.m. Senior Chris Mai came off the bench to hit 15 points from three point land in the 53-47 win for the Pirates. Although Victor trailed at the half, they came back for the win in the fourth quarter and advance to the consolation game Saturday night.

Victor – Lamb 9, Eric Bissett 1, Mai 15, Swanson 4, Taylor 10, Frye 11, Sacks 2, Hixon 1.

Ennis – Martello 4, Durham 4, Tezak 4, Moore 9, Johnerson 17, McNally 4, J. Tezak 5.

The Pirates were on track to possibly make their way to the State tournament by way of a challenge. But they had to turn right around and play again, this time against the always tough Gardner Bruins. Victor just couldn’t get their legs to work and their shots to fall. Gardner defeated the Pirates, 41-27, and ended the Pirates’ hopes and season. Victor finished with a 19-6 record, including the regular season championship.

Gardner – Demaree 6, Broadhead 11, Tompkins 8, Cloghessy 6, Bateson 6, Hamilton 4.

Victor – Lamb 6, Swanson 2, Taylor 6, Frye 12, Sacks 1.

Lady Broncs finish third

It was a tournament of attrition for the Lady Broncs of Hamilton. After coming into the tournament with the No. 2 seed, the Lady Broncs had to face both physical and emotional battles as a couple of their own players ended up on the injured list. But in spite of these set backs, Hamilton battled back to finish in third place

Hamilton opened their quest against the Lady Beavers of Dillon. Although the Lady Broncs came out a little tentative, a huge trey by Cierra Smith gave Hamilton the lead at the end of the first quarter and more importantly, gave them more confidence. Dillon was playing with a lot of emotion and kept right in the game, making a shot for every one of Hamilton’s. But it was Misha Trotter who sailed a long ball from almost mid court at the end of the half that gave Hamilton a four point edge at the half.

Hamilton continued to build on their lead with Trotter, Smith and Ashley Albert all contributing. But fouls by the Lady Broncs sent Dillon to the line where they sank 21 of 41 attempts in the game which went into overtime. Hamilton, however, only sank seven of 11 free throws. After battling back and fourth, Dillon had a three point lead with 26 seconds remaining in the game. Smith sneaked inside and picked up a low pass. She was fouled as she went up for the basket. With the field goal and the charity shot, the game was tied at 40 all and it was overtime. But it was also all Dillon. Hamilton did not score in the extra period and fell to Dillon, 50-40.

Dillon - Rese 7, Nordahl 4, Pettit 12, Zitzer 18, Baker 2, Suenram 2, Brammer 5.

Hamilton- Misha Trotter 7, Ashley Albert 12, Cierra Smith 11, Dayna Moerkerke 4, Ali Mildenberger 2, Annie Schultz 4.

After falling to Dillon, Hamilton played Corvallis in loser out action. Hamilton came out strong and took the lead right away. But midway through the first quarter, Trotter went down hard and was unable to play the rest of the game. Ali Mildenberger stepped in for Trotter and kept the momentum going for the Lady Broncs.

But the Blue Devils were playing their best as well. With seniors Sunni Bleibtrey and Kirstin Bull leading by example, the Blue Devils took a one point lead into the fourth quarter. Corvallis led with just under 55 seconds remaining but Smith again hit a long trey tied up the game at 29 all. The buzzer sounded and the game was still tied, and it was another overtime game for Hamilton.

With Albert on the bench in foul trouble, Smith and Annie Schultz took control for the Lady Broncs. They forgot to tell Corvallis that and the Blue Devils just kept coming right at them, tying the game again at the buzzer and sending the game to double overtime.

Corvallis gave it their all, saving their best ball for the last. Hamilton had to change their offense around and have players step out of their normal roles. It was a gutsy game for both teams but Hamilton won, 45-42. Mildenberger led all scorers with 13 points.

“I’m so proud of these girls,” said coach Scott Marsh of his Corvallis team. “They played with their hearts.”

Corvallis- Kelsey Lemon 3, Sunni Bleibtrey 10, Kirstin Bull 11, Megan Auch 11, Casey Burnette 3, Clarissa Boyer 4.

Hamilton - Ali Mildenberger 13, Ashley Albert 12, Averyl LaSalle 2, Cierra Smith 9, Dayna Moerkeke 2, Annie Schultz 7.

Hamilton then advanced to the consolation game where they played Stevensville.

Stevensville lost to Dillon in their opening game, 43-34. Although Dillon led throughout the game, Stevensville made a run at the Lady Beavers in the third quarter. The young ‘Jackets behind the shooting of Blair Brookshire and Maddie Jones pulled within seven but just couldn’t get the job done.

Stevensville - Sherry Walters 2, Allison Jones 5, Brekka Johnson 2, Maddie Jones 9, Blaire Brookshire 10, Alexa Omlid 2, Lindsey Thorstad 2, McKenzie Sebastian 2

Dillon - Thomas 3, Brammer 8, Rehse 4, Nordahl 5, Pettit 8, Brammer 3, Suenram 5, Zitzer 7.

Stevensville defeated Frenchtown on Saturday morning to advance to the consolation game. Brookshire had 20 points in the 41-39 win.

Hamilton was tired after playing two overtime games in two days, and one of those a double overtime at that. Stevensville came out strong and quickly took the lead when Izzy Miller hit a long trey. Stevensville continued to build a lead after Hamilton’s Smith went down with a knee injury.

That seemed to spur the Lady Broncs on as Mildenberger, Schultz, Albert and LaSalle all stepped up to score. Albert was on a mission but the youngsters from Stevensville wouldn’t quit. Schultz knocked down 14 points to lead the Lady Broncs in the 44-33 victory. The Lady Broncs finished third.

“I’m really proud of my girls,” said coach Mark Albert of Hamilton. “They could have laid down really easily this morning. No Misha, no Ashley for overtime. Tonight, no Misha and no Cierra. Kids like Ali Mildenberger go and get it done. They were an inspiration.”

Stevensville finished with a 5-16 record. “It was a great win for the girls,” said Cody Omlid of the Stevensville win over Frenchtown. “I think we kind of validated our season this morning.”

Hamilton- Mildenberger 4, Albert 13, LaSalle 8, Schultz 14, Moerkeke 5.

Stevensville - Walters 2, Jones 1, Miller 3, Omlid 9, M Jones 4, Blair Brookshire 14.

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