T. Falls boys find rhythm in Troy

Despite over an hour delay due to a power outage on Saturday, the Thompson Falls basketball teams came out en force Saturday during their first competition of the season in Troy.

"I had said we were going to cancel if the power didn't come back on by 3 p.m.," Thompson Falls Athletic Director and boys' coach Jake Mickelson said, "and it came back on at 2:59."

Mickelson's team ended up beating Troy 65-39. "We had five brand new varsity starters, so there were some nerves at the start," Mickelson said, adding that senior Nathan Schraeder was unable to play in Troy due to illness. "Eventually we found our rhythm in the second half." He said it was good for his team to see the intensity of a varsity game. "They just had to settle dame and just play basketball," Mickelson added.

The Hawks were down by four after the first quarter, then leading by only four going into the half. Mickelson said his team got into foul trouble and played an aggressive game. The Hawks were led by Jesse Claridge with 23 points. Braxton Dorscher added 11, Ben Cooper and Adam Childers 10 each, Josh Wilhite five, Alex Menzel three points, Bryson LeCoure two and Breck Ferris one.

This week, Thompson Falls travels to Anaconda for the Smelter City Tip-Off Tournament, playing Stillwater Christian on Friday and Choteau on Saturday. Mickelson said his team will be working on execution and he anticipates a step up in competition at the tournament.