Hawks battle on the court

MISSION 54,

THOMPSON FALLS 38

For the first home game after the holiday season the Lady Hawks faced the Lady Bulldogs of Mission falling 54-38.

Mission was quick to win the jump off gaining the first points, before sophomore Gabi Hannum was able to get the first basket for Thompson. Both teams would go point for point until a Mission foul would put Annalise Fairbank on the free throw line, allowing the Lady Hawks to take the lead. Swiftly the Lady Bulldogs were able to gain the lead once again with only a minute left in the first quarter. Thompson was unable to break past the full court pressure of Mission to gain the lead. Headed into the second quarter the Lady Bulldogs would take a quick and steady lead, keeping the Lady Hawks to minimal scoring. With only a minute left before halftime Mission had an almost 20 point lead over Thompson. While they were unable to completely close the gap, freshman Aubrey Baxter was able to get the crowd cheering with a massive buzzer shot, putting the score now 34-21.

Coming into the third quarter the young Lady Hawks came back soaring, capitalizing off a steal to gain the first points in the third quarter. Thompson was able to capitalize on several swift steals to close the point gap Mission had placed between the teams. The quick-footed Lady Hawks were able to band together to keep the Lady Bulldogs from gaining more than six points in the third quarter. Headed into the final quarter of the game Thompson was only down 10 points. The young Lady Hawks banded together, keeping the Lady Bulldogs to only one basket for more than half of the final quarter while showing their quick hands in the paint to close the point gap. With only two minutes left, Thompson was down by only seven points. Mission was able to keep their hefty lead earning them the win.

THOMPSON FALLS 67, MISSION 39

Next the Blue Hawks hit the court taking on the Mission Bulldogs, securing the win 67-39.

The Blue Hawks came out proving to be a powerhouse team, with senior Nick Tessier putting the first points on the board with a quick layup. Thompson was able to quickly cage the Bulldogs, putting up six points before Mission could put any on the board. Capitalizing off swift steals, Thompson was able to make the point gap between the teams larger, and by the end of the first quarter the Blue Hawks had a nine point lead over the Bulldogs. While Mission was able to sink the first basket of the second quarter, Thompson was quick to answer with points of their own. The Blue Hawks were able to keep the lead much of the second quarter, and with only three minutes until the half Thompson was up 11 points. The Bulldogs would only be able to get two more baskets before the half, putting the score at 39-20.

Coming back from the half the Blue Hawks brought the same energy getting the first points. They were able to keep the Bulldogs scoreless for half the quarter. When Mission finally answered with a basket, the Blue Hawks were there with a basket of their own. Thompson was able to continue to grab steals and rebound to keep their massive lead. Going into the final quarter the Blue Hawks held a colossal 31 point lead. The Bulldogs came out growling for the last quarter getting the first points, and keeping the soaring Blue Hawks to minimal baskets. Mission was able to cage Thompson for more than half of the final quarter but they were unable to close the point gap, leading to a Blue Hawk win 67-39.

Nick Tessier and Bryson LcCoure proved their sharp shooting hands by each getting 22 points. LeCoure also proved to be a powerhouse in the paint pulling down nine of Thompson's 35 rebounds. Tessier was close behind with six, and Sam Burgess rounded it with five.

CHARLO 53, THOMPSON FALLS 41

The Blue Hawks went on to face the Charlo Vikings at home, falling 53-41.

Quickly both teams would fight through tight knit defenses to put up points, but it would be the Vikings that would take the lead in the first quarter. Coming into the second the Blue Hawks were only down by one basket. Thompson was able to tie up the game before Charlo would take the lead once again. The Vikings would keep their lead, keeping Thompson scoreless much of the second quarter.

Coming back from the half the Blue Hawks would band together to gain the first basket of the quarter. Charlo was quick to answer back with their own basket. With only two minutes left, the Blue Hawks were able to close the point gap the Vikings had set, but were unable to take the lead going into the final quarter. Thompson was able to make the bulk of their points in the final quarter but ultimately it would be the Vikings who would take the win.

"We didn't get a lot of easy shots like we did with Mission. We had a lot of length to fight against," Coach Jake Mickelson said after the game.

Bryson LeCoure led the Blue Hawks with 18 points, Nick Tessier was behind with nine points, and Sam Burgess rounded it out with five points. Burgess proved his hops getting eight rebounds, Braxton Dorscher behind him with seven, and Kaiden Robins had four.

THOMPSON FALLS 56, CHARLO 44

The Lady Hawks took on the Charlo Lady Vikings taking the home win 56-44.

Swiftly the Lady Hawks took the first points, and Charlo was quick to answer back taking the lead. Both teams would go point for point, until Thompson was able to pull ahead. With only a minute left in the first quarter, the score was tied, until Aubrey Baxter was able to sink a three pointer, putting the Lady Hawks ahead once more. Headed into the second quarter both teams made aggressive moves, but it would be Thompson who would put up the first points. The Lady Hawks would continue their lead, putting more points between them and the Lady Vikings.

Coming into the third quarter the Lady Hawks had a vast 17 point lead over Charlo. The Lady Vikings came out to break past the tight-knit Thompson defense putting the first points on the board. The Lady Vikings would keep Thompson scoreless much of the third, before a Charlo foul would put Gabi Hannum on the line sinking two for the first Lady Hawk points in the third. From there Thompson would keep their massive lead. Although the Lady Vikings were able to close the gap it would be the Lady Hawks who would secure the win.

The Blue Hawks are on the road this week, playing in Plains on Thursday and traveling to Eureka on Saturday.