Lady Loggers take hard-fought fall

BUTTE — Back-to-back games against tough opponents saw the Libby High School girls basketball team ending their postseason in the first round of consolation play at the Western Class A Divisionals.

Dillon knocked Libby out of the championship running with a 7-point victory, despite a tight early lead by the Lady Loggers on Feb. 22.

Libby ended the first quarter ahead, 8-7, but fell behind as the game progressed.

The teams were close in offensive and defensive stats, though the Lady Loggers outplayed the Beavers in turnovers and rebounds.

Libby led in 3-point shots as well, making five to Dillon’s three.

Ultimately, fouls put the Lady Loggers at a disadvantage, with Dillon making 15 of their points from the free throw line, compared to the 2 consecutive free throws from Libby senior Shannon Reny.

In the first round of consolation play, the Lady Loggers faced the Hamilton Broncs in a 44-33 loss on Feb. 23.

Libby faced foul trouble again in their second game of the tournament, hitting 13 of the 21 free throw attempts the Lady Loggers afforded them. But Libby also made good 8 points from the 14 attempts that Hamilton fouls gave them.

The Lady Loggers did well at defensive rebounds, but saw fewer offensive rebounds than their opponents, and had 20 turnovers to Hamilton’s nine.

Libby made a higher percentage of their shots, but with more attempts and five successful 3-point shots to Libby’s single 3-pointer from junior Alli Collins, the Broncs took the game.

Feb. 22

Dillon 44, Libby 37

Dillon: 7 15 12 10 - 44

Libby: 8 9 9 11 - 37

Dillon: Paige Rouse 9 points, 1-2 FT; Jordyn McKay 10 points, 4-5 FT; Kyndall Peterson 4 points, 2-2 FT; Brynley Fitzgerald 17 points, 8-8 FT; Josey Jones 4 points, 0-1 FT

Libby: Alli Collins 4 points; Jayden Winslow 11 points, 0-7 FT; Shannon Reny 12 points, 2-2 FT; Brooklyn Rainer 4 points; Khalyn Hageness 6 points

Feb. 23

Hamilton 44, Libby 33

Hamilton: 13 4 10 17 - 44

Libby: 8 7 9 9 - 33

Hamilton: Tessa Della Silva 1 points, 1-2 FT; Tristan Searle 2 points, 2-2 FT; Mallory McGill 9 points, 1-4 FT; Carriann Kunkel 13 points, 5-7 FT; Lauren Ryter 6 points, 2-4 FT; Kara Nye 10 points, 2-2 FT; Jordan Taggart 3 points

Libby: Alli Collins 7 points, 0-1 FT; Jayden Winslow 13 points, 3-5 FT; Khalyn Hageness 1 points, 1-2 FT; Shannon Reny 8 points, 2-4 FT; Brooklyn Rainer 4 points, 2-2 FT