Logger boys basketball improves to 3-1

The Libby Logger boys basketball team won its third straight game last week, topping visiting Stevensville, 39-32, Friday.

While the Loggers struggled playing without senior Aidan Rose, they made enough plays to keep the Yellowjackets at bay. They only trailed briefly a few times in the first quarter and ended it tied at 9-9.

Stevensville led 11-9 early in the second before a 3-pointer by Isaac Lamere made it 12-11 with 4:45 left.

Ryan Beagle banked in a 3-pointer at the buzzer to increase the Libby lead to four points, 15-11.

A 6-3 run to open the third quarter gave the Loggers a seven-point lead, 21-14 with 5:32 left. Tyler Andersen scored a layup on a good pass from Beagle while Alderic Martineu scored on a drive to the basket.

The Yellowjackets pulled with two, 21-19, but Beagle hit a 3 to make it 24-19 with 3:25 left. But a 3-pointer for the guests tied the score at 24-24 with 1:18 left.

But Loggers sophomore James Woody got free for a layup and Beagle finished the quarter strong to give Libby a 29-24 lead. Beagle stole the ball and laid it in, then hit one of two free throws to make it a five-point lead entering the fourth.

Stevensville got a 3-pointer early in the quarter to make it 29-27, but the Loggers never let it get that close again.

Woody scored again and Beagle hit a pair of free throws with 5:28 left to make it 33-27. Woody added a free throw with 2:51 left, then blocked a shot with 1:59 left.

Andersen made it 36-29 with 1:46 on a drive to the basket. The Yellowjackets answered with a basket and a free throw with 29 seconds left, but Woody scored inside on an inbounds play to make it 38-32 with 20 seconds left.

Stevensville missed a 3 and a putback attempt before Beagle hit a free throw to set the final.

Libby didn’t enjoy the success at the free throw line it did in a win over Eureka, but the Loggers still scored 11 points on 23 attempts.

Beagle led the way with 14 points, including two 3-pointers. Woody and Andersen each scored nine points

The Loggers are off until traveling to Bonners Ferry on Jan. 7.

    Libby's James Woody (40) and Alderic Martineau (24) battle Stevensville's Jake Gavlak for a rebound during their game Friday, Dec. 20, 2024. (Scott Shindledecker/The Western News)