Hawks bring home wins from the west and east

The Blue Hawks hit the road in different directions last Saturday, with the boys heading to Deer Lodge to face the Wardens and the girls crossing state lines to Bonners Ferry, Idaho, as Deer Lodge does not have a girls team this year. Both Thompson Falls teams came home with wins for the start of the new year.

THOMPSON FALLS 61, BONNERS FERRY 57

The Lady Hawks beat the Badgers 61-57. Thompson came out on fire and quickly gained a layup for the first points. The Badgers quickly answered with their own basket and the teams would go point for point until Bonners Ferry was able to sneak in an outside three pointer to take the lead. Thompson was close behind and would continue to push the Badgers making them work for each basket earned. Going into the second quarter the Hawks were down just one point, but they would gain the lead after a quick layup. Bonners Ferry was quick to answer with their own basket, and the powerhouse teams would go basket for basket, u. Until the Hawks were able to pull away and put more points between the teams. The Badgers were able to catch several rebounds to put up baskets to take back the lead.

Coming back from the half the score was 25-21 with Thompson down by four, and the Hawks opened with a basket. It was answered with a Badger three pointer, and the teams would go basket for basket with the Hawks trying to take back the lead. Bonners Ferry was able to keep their lead headed into the final quarter. Thompson found new fire in the fourth quarter and put on a full court press that allowed for several steals for baskets to lessen the point gap.

“Headed into the fourth we were down by nine points, but the girls really dug deep and were able to find the energy to finish strong,” said coach Mike Tessier.

Keeping their momentum the Hawks were able to put down basket after basket to take the lead, never letting up their full court pressure Thompson was able to continue to find the basket to keep the lead and take the road win.

“Addy Deal and Solvieg Nygaard both had a big fourth quarter, but what I like seeing the most is the whole team contributing and making it a team effort. And they did just that to take the win,” said Tessier.

Deal led the Hawks with 21 points, Nygaard behind with 15 and Gabi Hannum had 12 for the Hawks.

THOMPSON FALLS 69, DEER LODGE 57

The Blue Hawk boys had a little winter storm of their own, beating the Wardens 69-58. The Wardens started the game with a three pointer, but it was quickly answered by a Hawk three pointer to tie the game. From there the Hawks would take the lead putting several points between the teams. Holding onto their lead going into the second quarter, Thompson was able to gain the first points. Deer Lodge was able to answer with two back to back baskets before the Hawks could score again. The Hawks continued to push through the Warden’s defense to put more points on the board and with less than a minute before halftime Thompson held a three point lead.

“We showed a little holiday rust in the first half but I thought we did a good job of staying even keeled, playing through it, and finishing the game strong,” said coach Jake Mickelson.

To open the third quarter the Wardens were able to make a swift fast break to gain the first basket. The Hawks were able to answer with their own basket to keep their lead. The teams would go basket for basket with the Hawks keeping their lead. The Wardens would make Thompson work for each basket they gained in the third quarter, but soon found themselves down eight points with less than two minutes left. The Hawks continued their game and were able to score the first points in the final quarter. Deer Lodge was unable to answer with their own basket before the soaring Hawks found the basket once more. The teams would go point for point but the Hawks had enough of a lead to be able to take the win.

“Bryson LeCoure again had another strong performance for us and it was really nice to have Braedon Ferris finally enter the lineup for us. We believe he is just going to continue to get better as he gets live game reps, and he is a huge addition to the group. We look to continue to build momentum as we get into conference play starting on Tuesday facing Mission,” Mickelson stated.

The Hawks were on the road Tuesday to Mission. Results will be in next week’s Ledger. They again take to the road Thursday to face Loyola, and will welcome Charlo to Thompson Falls on Saturday.