Hawks edge by Horsemen

The Thompson Falls Blue Hawks split a pair of games last week, losing to Libby at home on Thursday and then traveling to Plains for a 54-35 win on Saturday.

Hawks Coach Jake Mickelson said the Loggers beat his team on rebounds. "They were more physical than us and got in a better position," he noted. "It was a good challenge for our guys and an eye opener that we have to be fundamentally sound when we're facing athletes of that caliber. That's what we're working on." The Libby defense put a lot of pressure on the Hawks throughout the game.

In the 57-32 loss to Libby, Braxton Dorscher and Josh Wilhite led with nine points each, Nathan Schraeder and Ben Cooper added nine each and Adam Childers and Bryson LeCoure two apiece. Cooper and Claridge each had six rebounds against the Loggers, Schraeder four, Wilhite three, LeCoure two and Childers one.

Mickelson added that the Hawks are a work in progress, but they are moving in the right direction. Against Plains, the Hawks had a slow start, up 24-13 at the half. But, Mickelson said they got in a rhythm in the third quarter and went on a scoring run to secure the lead. Blue Hawk Jesse Claridge was injured in the second quarter. Mickelson said Claridge sprained his ankle, so would be out for the Hawks' scheduled game against Noxon on December 21.

Schraeder led the Hawk scoring against the Horsemen with 19 points, six rebounds, six steals and six assists. LeCoure added nine points, Dorscher and Claridge eight each, Childers and Breck Ferris four each and Wilhite two points.

"It's taking a while for the kids to find their roles. You have to have players that can score, players that can rebound, and find your best defensive players. We're finding that out." The Hawks will be on Christmas break until January 6, when they host Mission.