HAMILTON — The first round of the Western B girls basketball divisional tournament got underway at Hamilton High School on Thursday.
St. Ignatius, Florence, Missoula Loyola and Thompson Falls were the winners on the day as those four programs advanced to Friday's semifinal round.
Thompson Falls 48, Anaconda 43
In a back-and-forth contest, Thompson Falls competed a second-half comeback to top Anaconda 48-43 in the final girls game of the Western B on Thursday.
Anaconda led for most of the contest thanks to a big game from Meela Mitchell. Mitchell scored 22 points to lead the Copperheads as Anaconda led 23-14 at halftime.
But Thompson Falls slowly chipped away in the third quarter to get within one, 33-32, heading into the fourth quarter. Then to start the fourth, Gabi Hannum knocked down a 3-pointer that gave the Blue Hawks the lead, and they never trailed again.
Hannum was clutch for Thompson Falls in the comeback as she finished with 18 points, 11 of which came in the fourth quarter. Olivia Fitchett andd Addy Deal each added eight in the win. Thompson Falls will take on Missoula Loyola in the semifinal round on Friday at 4:45 p.m.
Anaconda will take on Superior in a loser-out game at 9:45 a.m. on Friday.
Missoula Loyola 66, Superior 19
Sophomore standout Spencer Laird put up 38 points and the Breakers dominated from start to finish with a first-round victory over Superior, 66-19, at the Western B Divisional.
Addie Nault added eight points and Drew Lamb tacked on seven as Loyola cruised with Laird and the team's offense finding points with ease from the jump. Loyola led 22-5 at the end of the first quarter and never looked back.
Braelynn Mangold led Superior with 10 points.
The Breakers advanced to Friday's semifinal against Thompson Falls with the win while Superior will play Anaconda in a loser-out contest on Friday as well.
Florence 66, Eureka 27
Maggie Schneiter scored 13 points and Kenzy Pickering chipped in nine as the Florence Falcons beat the Eureka Lions 66-27 in the opening round of the divisional tournament.
A competitive first quarter turned into a runaway for Florence as the Falcons led 42-11 at halftime. Florence out-scored Eureka 24-2 in the second quarter to blow the game open.
Ali Meinhold added eight points for Florence while Kendyl Meinhold and Emory Ralston each added seven. Brynn Kossman led Eureka with 19 points.
Florence will take on St. Ignatius in the semifinal round on Friday at 3 p.m. Eureka will play Darby in a loser-out contest on Friday at 8 a.m.
St. Ignatius 79, Darby 35
From start to finish, the St. Ignatius Bulldogs were in cruise control as they defeated the Darby Tigers 79-35 in the first game of the Western B tournament.
Four Bulldog players scored in double figures led by Sheadon Kain with 17. Kieran Incashola scored 16 points, Brooklyn McClure tacked on 11 and Cora Matt tallied 10 as St. Ignatius advanced to the semifinal round.
The Bulldogs built a quick 45-15 lead at halftime to seal this one early.
Hadley Heiland led Darby with 23 points. The Tigers will play in a loser-out game Friday morning.
