Libby girls begin run at divisional title

The Lady Loggers will open their run at a divisional title tonight as they play Frenchtown’s Lady Broncs tonight in Whitefish.

Libby’s girls are the number three seed in the tournament, which earned them a first-round bye. Frenchtown, seeded two, also skipped the first round.

The Lady Loggers have battled with Frenchtown twice this year, so the girls are familiar with this team and their abilities. Libby lost in Frenchtown 46-38 on Jan. 10 and 58-40 in Libby on Feb. 7.

“Frenchtown is a very athletic team that is the most disciplined defensive team in our conference. We have to match that defensive discipline with offensive intelligence and patience,” head coach Jim May said.

May said his team has played well as the season has wound down and he likes their chances against Frenchtown.

“We really did play well at times last Saturday against Columbia Falls, so the girls are feeling like they can get the job done Friday night. They know we need to not let them drive on us and that we cannot put them to the free throw line 34 times, like we did last time we played them,” he said.

Should the girls beat Frenchtown, they will advance to play the winner of the game between top-seeded Columbia Falls and either Polson or Whitefish, the winner of last night’s late game, in the championship game at 6:30 p.m. Saturday.

Should they lose to Frenchtown, they will play the loser of the Polson-Whitefish game in Saturday’s consolation game at 10:30 a.m.

“Our whole season is now pointed to our semi-final game Friday against Frenchtown,” May said. “I think the girls are up to the challenge.”