BUTTE — The Western A boys basketball divisional tournament tipped off Thursday with four first-round games at the Butte Civic Center.
Frenchtown 48, Libby 36
This one was a hard-fought match throughout. Libby started the game with a 4-0 run over the Broncs, but Frenchtown took a 15-14 to end the opening quarter and never looked back, going on to win 48-36.
For the Loggers, junior Caden Williams finished the day with a game-high 17 points and seven rebounds.
Broncs senior Carson Shepard finished with a team-high 14 points and eight rebounds. Junior Devin Shelton (12 points) and senior Brandon Finley (11) both finished in double figures.
Frenchtown moves on to the semifinal round on Friday at 4 p.m.
Polson 40, Hamilton 37
This one was a nail-biter, as Polson rallied in the fourth quarter for a 40-37 win over Hamilton.
The Broncs had control of the game until the fourth quarter. They were up 15-6 after the first quarter, went into the half up 23-17 and led 35-29 midway through the fourth quarter. However, the Pirates would go on an 8-0 run to take the lead on a Xavier Bishop fast-break layup.
Hamilton came back to tie the game at 37-37 on free throws.
Polson would take possession with 15 seconds remaining, and, with ice in his veins, sophomore Jarrett Wilson drilled a long jump shot from the top of the key with one second remaining. Polson would hang on from there to win 40-37.
Polson junior Colton Graham had a game-high `17 points.
Hamilton senior Austin Drake led the Broncs with 10.
The Pirates will now take on Frenchtown on Friday at 4 p.m.
Butte Central 67, Ronan 50
Ronan came out absolutely on fire in this one, taking a 30-23 lead into halftime.
After that, it was all Butte Central, though, as the Maroons caught fire in the second half, outscoring the Chiefs 20-8 to take the lead heading into the fourth quarter. The Maroons never looked back, blowing past Ronan 67-50 in an upset.
As a team, the Maroons shot 61% from the field. Sophomore Dougie Peoples had a game-high 25 points to go along with eight rebounds. Butte Central had three other players in double figures: Kyle Holter (`16 points), Bryan Holland (10) Drew Badovinac (10).
Chiefs senior Leonard Burke had a team-high 23 points.
Dillon 65, Columbia Falls 38
This game was back and forth to begin with, but the Beavers outscored Columbia falls 23-8 in the third quarter to handily defeat the Wildcats 65-38.
Dillon junior Connor Curnow had a game-high 15 points and was one rebound shy of a double-double. Senior Jace Fitzgerald finished with 13.
The Beavers take on Butte Central Friday night at 7 p.m..
