Wednesday, March 7, 2007

Sports at a Glance

All stories by Jean Schurman

Falcons fly high, then low

The Florence Falcons had some great highs at the Western B Divisional Tournament held over the weekend in Polson. With the top eight teams from Western Montana competing, the games were close throughout the tournament.

Florence opened against the Plains Horsemen on Thursday. The two teams traded baskets back and forth and were tied at the end of the first quarter. After two quarters, neither team was backing off and although Plains had a one point lead going into the locker room, the Falcons were focused and intent on a win.

It was more of the same in the third quarter but foul trouble was beginning to weigh in on the Falcons. Dustin Lind, Jordan Den and Kris Person were accumulating fouls and had to sit out. Regulation time ended with both teams showing 49 points on the scoreboard, sending the game to overtime.

It was a battle in the overtime with each team trading scores. Freshman Brandon Lorensen hit a long trey to tie the game at the buzzer and sent the game into a second overtime.

With the three Falcons now fouled out, it was up to the reserves to carry the game. And they did. Florence put up 14 more points and held Plains to only 10 and in the process, won the game. Deric Stephens sank two free throws to seal the 76-72 victory.

The Falcons were paced by Kiel Hansen's 21 points and Kris Person finished with 14.

Florence - Reid Baerlocher 4, Dustin Lind 8, Brandon Lorensen 3, Joe Redfern 13, Kiel Hansen 21, Jordan Dean 9, Kris Person 14, Deric Stephens 2, Damon Moe 2.
Plains - Jake Firestone 3, Nate Holland 8, Jesse Dicken 20, Matt Baker 16, Mitch Thompson 15, Tanner Colombo 9, Trent Thompson 1.

With the win, the Falcons advanced to the semi finals on Friday against Seeley Swan. The Blackhawks, with seven players over six feet, the Falcons gave up considerable height under the basket. Seeley was able to capitalize on missed shots and soon built a lead. Redfern was held to only three points and Hansen had only four points. With those two unable to score, the Falcons fell to Seeley-Swan, 53-39.

Seeley-Swan - Zach Evans 8, Nathan Stone 2, Ryan Nelson 12, Jason Mudrow 10, Derek Hard 6, Cory Cahoon 13, James Williams 2.
Florence - Dustin Lind 2, Joe Redfern 3, Kiel Hansen 4, Jordan Dean 4, Kris Person 16, Reid Baerlocher 6, Brandon Lorensen 3.

Turnovers were the name of the game Saturday morning as Florence battled to stay alive. They were pitted against Loyola. The two kept a close eye on each other with neither team gaining much of a lead. After one quarter, only two points separated the two rivals. It was a four-point spread at the end of the first half with Loyola up.

The fourth quarter was not pretty for Florence with one Ram after another stepping up to the free throw line. Florence had their opportunities as well but couldn't find the bottom of the net. When the final buzzer sounded, Loyola had the lead and the game with a 56-45 victory. Florence finished their season with a 12-13 record.

Florence - Reid Baerlocher 5, Dustin Lind 4, Joe Redfern 10, Kiel Hansen 19, Jordan Dean 4, Kris Person 1, Damon Moe 2.
Loyola - Zach Balcom 7, Brent Schaff 9, Adam Hollenback 12, Connor Zins 6, Luke Mitzel 14, Ross Colyer 6, Trevor Diehl 2.