(2E) Saco-Whitewater-Hinsdale 59, (1W) Twin Bridges 28
GREAT FALLS — Saco-Whitewater-Hinsdale blitzed Twin Bridges from the opening tip, on the way to a 59-28 win in the first round of the State C tournament in Great Falls.
The Mavericks jumped out to a 13-4 lead after the first quarter and then outscored the Falcons 24-8 in the second half for 37-12 lead at the break. North Country cruised in the second half.
Teagan Erickson led the Mavericks with 19 points, 11 rebounds and four blocked shots. The 6-1 sophomore was 9-for-10 from the free throw line. Paige Wasson scored 13 points and recorded four steals, while Jaycee Erickson scored 11 points.
Twin Bridges was led by Allie Dale with 10 points. Kyle Pancost scored eight in defeat. Twin Bridges shot just 13-of-50 from the field, including 0-of-8 from three point range.
The Mavericks will move on to face Box Elder in the semifinals, Friday at 6 p.m.
(2N) Box Elder 42, (1S) Melstone 33
The Box Elder girls rallied after a slow start to top Melstone 42-33 in the first round of the State C tournament in Great Falls.
The Bears were held scoreless in the first quarter, falling behind 7-0 after eight minutes. But Box Elder outscored Melstone 12-6 in the second to trail just 13-12 at halftime.
Breanna Bacon keyed a big second half for the Bears, scoring 19 points in the final 16 minutes for a total of 22 for the game. Kyla Momberg only scored three points on the night, but grabbed 12 rebounds and recorded seven steals.
Future Montana Lady Griz Draya Wacker scored 15 points to lead the Broncs, teammate Kayla Kombol scored 10 to join Wacker in double digits.
Box Elder will advance to face Saco-Whitewater-Hinsdale in the semifinals, Friday at 6 p.m.
(1N) Roy-Winifred 55, (2S) Ekalaka 28
Roy-Winifred jumped out to a 22-0 lead in the first quarter, and coasted the rest of the game for a 55-28 win against Ekalaka in the first round of the State C tournament in Great Falls.
Laynee Elness finished with 21 points to lead all scorers, including 17 in the first half. Madeline Heggem added 12 points and 10 rebounds while her sister Isabella Heggem scored six points, grabbed 10 rebounds, blocked six shots and recorded five assists and three steals.
Nasya O’Connor scored 20 of the Bulldog’s 28 points in the loss, connecting on 7-of-15 shots including 4-of-6 from deep. For the game, Ekalaka shot just 10-for-55.
Undefeated Roy-Winifred will play Plentywood in the semifinals, set for Friday at 7:30 p.m.
(1E) Plentywood 56, (2W) Manhattan Christian 13
The Plentywood girls controlled their first round matchup with Manhattan Christian for 36 minutes, winning 56-13 to move to the semis.
The Wildcats led 17-3 after the first quarter, and 36-8 at halftime and then held the Eagles to five total points in the second half.
Liv Wangerin led the Wildcats with 20 points and nine rebounds. Emma Brensdal had 13 points and seven rebounds. Only four total players scored for Manhattan Christian, led by Natalie Walhof with five points.
Plentywood moves on to face North No. 1 seed Roy-Winifred in the semifinals, Friday at 7:30 p.m.
