Blue Hawks beat Wardens at home

THOMPSON FALLS 56, DEER LODGE 33

The Blue Hawk boys kicked off their holiday break with intensity Thursday night, beating Deer Lodge 56-33 at home.

It was an aggressive game as the Wardens bested the Hawks 8-6 in the first quarter. Thompson outscored Deer Lodge 16-7 in the second to go into halftime with a 22-15 lead. In the second half the Hawks were determined to hold on to the win. They fired off key passes that led to points on the board and kept the Wardens to just 18 points total in the second, with the Hawks scoring nearly double that.

Junior Bryson LeCoure led the Hawks with 19 points, including going 3-for-4 at the free throw line, and added five rebounds and six assists. Nick Tessier had 14 points and seven rebounds, and Max Hannum had 10 points and nine rebounds. Senior Braxton Dorscher went 2-for-3 beyond the three-point line and tallied eight points, Kaiden Robins had three and Cael Thilmony two.

THOMPSON FALLS 49, DEER LODGE 40

It was a close game for the Lady Hawks on the Thompson Falls High School court Thursday against Deer Lodge.

The young Thompson team had a slow start, but kicked their play into gear in the second half and got the win, 49-40.

Deer Lodge led through much of the first half, but Thompson Falls was able to add points and take the lead by one point, 19-18, at the half. In the second half, the Hawks were focused, putting free throws through the net and strengthening the lead to 35-29 at the end of the third.

Gabbi Hannum led the Hawks with 19 points, Delany Gerhard and Addie Pardee scored eight apiece, Annalise Fairbank, Aubrey Baxter and Solveig Nygaard each scored four, and Olivia Fitchett two points.

LOYOLA 86, THOMPSON FALLS 40

The Blue Hawks went on to face the Loyola Rams at home falling 86-40 at home on Friday..

The Rams came out winning the tipoff and the first basket, but Thompson was quick to answer back. Both teams went point for points until Blue Hawk Braedon Ferris was able to capitalize off a rebound to take the lead. The Rams were quick to hit a three once again taking the lead. At the end of the first Thompson was only behind four points. That was until the powerhouse Loyola team was able to score two three pointers putting them further ahead. The tight knit Ram defense kept the Blue Hawks scoreless much of the second quarter until with just 40 seconds left Ferris was able to score back to back baskets. A Loyola foul would put senior Max Hannum on the free throw line, making both they would go into half time 22-47.

While the Rams were able to get the first basket in the third quarter, the Blue Hawks were quick to break past the full court pressure to answer with a basket of their own. Loyola would keep their massive lead, but the intense Blue Hawks fought through their rough defense to put points on the board. But at the end of the third Thompson was still down 39 points. It would be a fight in the final quarter as both teams put on the pressure, the Rams would continue to put down three pointers keeping their massive lead. In the end it would be a Ram victory with Loyola taking the win 86-40.

Bryson LeCoure led the Blue Hawks with a solid 11 points, Ferris was close behind with 10 points, Nick Tessier got seven for Thompson and Hannum would round it out with six points. Sam Burgess proved to be a powerhouse in the paint catching six rebounds, Tessier behind with five, and Hannum grabbed three for the Blue Hawks.

The Blue Hawks are back on the home court January 5 to go head to head with the Mission Bulldog.

LOYOLA 58, THOMPSON FALLS 37

The Lady Hawks went on to face the Loyola Sacred Hearts at home, sinking 58-37.

Loyola would be the first to put points on the board but Lady Hawk Addi Pardee was quick to answer back. The Sacred Hearts would put intense defensive pressure on the young Thompson team, but with only three minutes left they were only up by five points. The Lady Hawks were able to get one more basket before the quick and aggressive Loyola team was able to shut them down. Going into the second quarter the Sacred Hearts were up by 14 points, they would keep their full court pressure on the Lady Hawks keeping them to minimal scoring going into the half.

Going into the third quarter the Lady Hawks came out with new fire getting the first basket. Loyola was quick to answer back, but Thompson was able to capitalize on steals to try to close the massive score gap. But it would be the fourth quarter where the Lady Hawks were able to keep the Sacred Hearts to minimal scoring. Headed into the fourth the tight knit Thompson team would come out aggressive, gaining points from steals keeping Loyola at bay. But ultimately it would be the Sacred Hearts who would take the win.

The Lady Hawks suit up again January 5 to take on the Mission Bulldogs at home.