Horsemen split in tip-off tourney

PLAINS 57, VALLEY CHRISTIAN 49

The Plains Horsemen opened the Hamilton tip-off tournament against the Valley Christian Eagles, earning the win 57-49.

Darren Standeford led the Horsemen getting 16 points, Zayden Allen was behind him with 11, and Anaya Loberg rounded out the top scoring with 10 points. Allen proved to be a powerhouse in the paint getting eight rebounds, while Zeph Dines, Pablo Hernandez and Loberg each got five.

ARLEE 60, PLAINS 41

The Horsemen took to the court Saturday against the Arlee Warriors, falling 60-41.

It would be the Warriors who would win the jump off, setting the tone for the first points. Junior Darren Standeford would be the first Horseman to make a basket. Quickly Arlee answered back with their own points, keeping a steady lead in the first quarter. By the end of quarter two Plains was able to close the large point gap, down just 19-26 at halftime.

Coming back from the half it would be the Horsemen to make the first basket from free throws, putting the point gap at only three. Plains tried to pull ahead but was shut out by the quick footed Warrior defense, and halfway through the third Plains was able to gain a bigger lead ending the third quarter 43-27. The Warriors came out to make the first basket of the final quarter, the Horsemen were unable to answer back, but got a foul, setting up Plains’ Zayden Allen to gain the first points. The Horsemen defenses were no match for Arlee in the end, keeping Plains to minimal scoring.

Anaya Loberg led the Horsemen with 12 points, Wyatt Butcher behind him with eight, and Standeford and Allen rounding out with seven points each. Allen and Standeford led with Zeph Dines for seven rebounds apiece.

“(Zayden) Allen, (Darren) Standeford, and Aden West all took charges though which is a stat I look for as a team defense-minded group,” coach Tyrel Allen said after the tournament.

FLORENCE 72, THOMPSON FALLS 45

The Thompson Falls Blue Hawks took to the snowy roads this past weekend to take on the Florence Falcons for the first game of the season, falling 45-72.

The Falcons, who won the tip and earned the first points, took a massive lead over the Blue Hawks in the first quarter.

“Sometimes you don’t know how you’ll play until the first game. We learned a great deal from this game,” said coach Jake Mickelson.

At the beginning of the second quarter Florence would start with a 15-point lead over Thompson, but by the end the hard working Blue Hawks came back trying to close the point gap. After the half the Blue Hawks came out with new fire, working together to break down the tough Falcon defense. Thompson ended the third quarter only seven points behind. Ultimately the tight knit Falcons were able to gain another massive lead for the win.

“We found ourselves in a deep hole early, but the boys were able to find their way back out. For a lot of the team it’s their first time being on a true varsity team, being a leader and everything. I'm proud of their efforts,” Mickelson expressed.

Nick Tessier led the Blue Hawks with 21 points and 12 rebounds, and Cael Thilmony and Bryson LeCoure came in behind with six points each. LeCoure also had seven rebounds, Kaiden Robins and Justin Haggenson each got six, and Braxton Dorscher and Sam Burgess rounded out the rebounds with five each.

The Blue Hawks will hit the road again going to the Anaconda tip-off December 8-9.

Hot Springs and Noxon competed in Hamilton as well, but results were not available to the Ledger.

Hot Springs hosts their first home game Friday against Phillipsburg with tip off starting at 7.

Noxon will face Troy at home December 15 starting at 7.