Hawks split with Falcons

The Thompson Falls Blue Hawks opened their 2024-2025 basketball season on their home court last Friday as they welcomed the Florence Falcons. The Blue Hawk boys went down to the last minute with the Falcons, winning by just one point, 58-57. The Lady Hawks kept up with Florence until halftime, when the Falcons pulled away and won 73-42.

THOMPSON FALLS 58, FLORENCE 57

While the Falcons came out to gain the first points, they were quickly met by Hawk Bryson LeCoure, who made a swift underhanded shot to put Thompson on the board. From there the Hawks were able to pull ahead putting more points between the teams. Working together Thompson continued to break past the Falcons defense to keep their lead, and at the end of the first quarter, Thompson held a nine point lead over Florence.

The Hawks came back out in the second quarter and would keep their lead, putting their best defense forward. The Flacons would try for a comeback and were down by only three points at the half.

Florence came out with new fire and took their first lead in the third. Hawk Sam Burgess was able to get a quick steal and a basket to put Thompson within five. With seven seconds left, a Falcon foul put Kaiden Robins on the free throw line. Putting down one, Robins was able to tie the game. With just a mere second left, Florence fouled again and Kellen LeCoure sank both.

The Hawks were able to keep their momentum going into the final quarter and would be the first to score, putting more points between them and the Falcons. Thompson would hold onto a four-point lead for much of the final quarter, until the Falcons were able to gain a few three point shots to put the scores closer together. With 40 seconds left the Hawks were up by four points, when after a time out the Falcons came out to foul. This put Robins back on the line, to sink one of his two free throws. Another Florence foul put Bryson McCormick on the free throw line, making one of his free throws and putting the score at 58-52. With seconds left the Falcons were able to sink one more three, but thanks to McCormick's free throw the Hawks would take the win by just one point.

Bryson LeCoure led the Hawks with his double-double, getting 20 points and 10 rebounds. His freshman brother was close behind with nine rebounds, Kaiden Robins had 15 points for the Hawks and three rebounds, and Sam Burgess had six rebounds and 12 points.

FLORENCE 73. THOMPSON FALLS 42

In the girls' game, the Falcons took an early 9-2 lead, but Thompson was able to keep a level head and would be able to put more points on the board. With a minute left in the first, the Hawks were down by just four points when junior Solveig Nygaard sank a three to move the team within one.

Blue Hawk Aubrey Baxter tied the game early in the second with a free throw. From there Florence would take back the lead but would have the Hawks on their heels. The teams would go back and forth down the court for much of the quarter. With just a minute left, a three pointer from Gabi Hannum would tie the game at 23 points. The Falcons would hit a three before the half to take back the lead.

Coming back from the half, Florence put their defense into overdrive, putting an aggressive fullcourt press on the Hawks. Florence would continue their dominance for the remainder of the game.

"We came out and controlled the first half, and then we were met with their full court pressure. From there they were able to take back control. But I think overall we ran the offense well, and had great defense plus pretty good rebounds. They just wore us out," said head coach Mike Tessier.

"The goal is just to continue to grow and improve. We are excited to see really good competition at the Shelby tip-off tournament this weekend," Tessier stated.

Gabi Hannum led the Hawks with a double-double, getting 18 points and 12 rebounds plus four steals. Solveig Nygaard was behind with eight points, 11 rebounds and eight assists. Annalise Fairbank had six points, 10 rebounds, and seven assists. Aubrey Baxter had three points, 10 rebounds, and four assists. Olivia Fitchett rounded it out for the Hawks with two steals and two assists.

The Thompson teams hit the road this weekend taking on the Shelby Tip-off tournament on Friday with the boys team taking on Fairfield at 3pm, girls to follow.