Libby basketball teams both take third in Northwestern A Tourny
The Libby High School boys and girls basketball teams both earned third-place finishes on Saturday at the Northwest A District basketball tournament at Whitefish High School by claiming victories in the consolation finals.
The Loggers cashed in at the free-throw line to spill Whitefish 65-59 in a boys overtime contest, while the Libby girls rolled to an easy 48-26 triumph over Ronan.
All four teams advance to the Western A Divisional, which begins Thursday in Hamilton.
Boys
The Libby boys made 9 of 12 foul shots in overtime to claim the win.
Libby senior Ryggs Johnston, who finished with a game-high 34 points, was 4-4 at the line and drilled a three in the extra session for Libby. For the game, he made 10-2 and had five 3s.
The Loggers went to the free-throw line 27 times total, making 19 in contrast to Whitefish, who were 4-9.
Senior JJ Davis added 11 points for Libby, and Whitefish’s Dillon Botner paced the Bulldogs in scoring with 22 points.
The Libby boys advanced with an earlier loser-out win over Columbia Falls while Whitefish tripped Ronan in overtime.
In the loser-out game against Whitefish, Libby led Columbia Falls 33-22 at the half.
Libby senior Keith Johnson scored 20 points against the Wildcats, and fellow senior Ryggs Johnston contributed to the balanced scoring by adding 15 points.
The Wildcats outscored Libby in the third and fourth quarters, but still came up short. Sam Hovde tallied a game-high 22 points, while Drew Morgan had 16 for Columbia Falls.
Northwest A District
Saturday, Feb. 16
Loser out
Libby 65, Columbia Falls 61
L: 11 22 16 16 – 65
CF: 6 16 17 22 – 61
Libby: JJ Davis 8 point, Ryggs Johnston 15 points, Jay Beagle 8 points, Caden Williams 12 points, Tim Goodman 2 points, Keith Johnson 20 points.
C-Falls: Dillon Wanner 2 points, Drew Morgan 16 points, Dillon Shipp 5 points, Danny Henjum 4 points, William Dyon 5 points, Logan Bechtel 3 points, Zack Pletcher 4 points, Sam Hovde 22 points.
Third-place game
Libby 65, Whitefish 59
L: 12 10 10 18 15 - 65
W: 12 13 17 8 9 - 59
Libby: JJ Davis 11 points, Ryggs Johnston 34 points, Jay Beagle 5 points, Caden Williams 9 points, Keith Johnson 6 points.
Whitefish: Jayce Cripe 6 points, Bode Smith 2 points, Justin Conklin 3 points, Sam Menicke 2 points, Ryan Kemm 9 points, Lee Walburn 15 points, Dillon Botner 22 points.
Girls
The Lady Loggers held Ronan to single-digit quarters all night to post the victory.
Libby senior Jayden Winslow netted 21 points to pace Libby, and all scorers. Fellow senior Sammee Bradeen added 10 for the victors.
The Libby girls topped Polson, and the Ronan girls bested Whitefish earlier in the day in loser-out action to advance.
In the loser-out game against the Polson girls, Winslow and Bradeen shone as well. Winslow led with 17 points, followed close by Bradeen with 14. Alex Pierre led Polson with 10 points.
Northwest A District
Saturday, Feb. 16
Loser out
Libby 49, Polson 34
L: 16 12 14 7 – 49
P: 7 9 8 10 – 34
Libby: Emma Gruber 1 point, Linsey Walker 12 points, Jayden Winslow 17 points, Sammee Bradeen 14 points, McKenzie Proffitt 1 point, Taylor Holm 4 points.
Polson: Berkley Ellis 2 points, Megan Rost 2 points, Misty Tenas 4 points, Mahala Buffalo 2 points, Alex Pierre 10 points, Karly Lawson 5 points, Olivia Perez 5 points, Mossy Kawley 4 points.
Third-place game
Libby 48, Ronan 26
L: 9 19 10 10 - 48
R: 6 7 8 5 - 26
Libby: Syd Gier 2 points, Alli Collins 5 points, Samantha Miller 1 point, Jayden Winslow 21 points, Sammee Bradeen 10 points, McKenzie Proffitt 9 points.
Ronan: Lareina Cordova 1 point, Aislyn Baker 5 points, Tiana Ulutoa 2 points, Regan Clairmont 8 points, Kieauna DeRoche 3 points, Areanna Burke 1 point, Jaylea Lunceford 6 points.