BUTTE — Alyssia Vanderburg scored 23 points, corralled eight rebounds and had three blocks and three steals as the Arlee Scarlets defeated the Ennis Mustangs 53-43 at the Western C divisional. Arlee advances to Friday’s semifinal against Manhattan Christian.
Vanderburg went 9-18, using her size and skill to harass Ennis defenders, while Nellie Desjarlais chipped in with 17 points of her own, hitting seven field goals and a pair of free throws. Desjarlais had three steals of her own as Arlee forced 21 Ennis turnovers. Louetta Conko-Camel was credited with five steals for the Scarlets.
Jourdain Klein had 11 points and 12 rebounds for Ennis, which trailed by as many as 16 in the second half. The Mustangs held a plus-14 rebounding edge, with 17 offensive rebounds, but couldn’t capitalize on second-chance points. Ennis was 13-48 from the floor, scoring only 13 points in the first half.
Arlee and Manhattan Christian add to their rivalry on the girls courts when the two programs meet in Friday’s 8 p.m. semifinal following the Eagles’ 67-39 win over Darby in Thursday’s final game at the Maroon Activity Center.
Eliana Kuperus and Kelsey Heidema scored 20 points apiece for Manhattan Christian, while Kuperus hauled in a game-high 12 rebounds. But it was Darby that started strong, building an early lead behind hot shooting from TeaAnna Rouse and company. Rouse finished with 10 points, while Casey Ehmann scored a team-high 16 on four 3-pointers, but cooled off in the final quarters.
Darby finished the game shooting 23 percent, making only six field goals in the second half.
After scoring only 10 points in the first period, Manhattan Christian tallied 15, 20 and 22 points, respectively, in the final three quarters.
PHOTOS: WESTERN C DIVISIONAL THURSDAY GAMES
Early action Thursday saw Rebekah Everest score 24 points, 15 in the second half, as West Yellowstone held off a late charge from Seeley-Swan to earn a 71-61 victory in the opening round of the Western C divisional.
Everest made nine of 11 two-point field goals, added a trio of free throws and dished four assists for the Wolverines, who advance to Friday’s 6:30 p.m. semifinal. Emmie Collins added 17 points, Kait Jackson had 14 and Averi Parker added a double-double with 11 points and 11 rebounds in the win.
Parker added seven blocks for the Wolverines.
West Yellowstone held an 18-point lead in the first half and scored 26 in the second period, but Autumn Morse led a ferocious fourth quarter comeback for the Blackhawks. Trailing 61-38, Seeley-Swan’s press defense forced numerous Wolverine turnovers, sparking a 15-0 run and eventually trimming the lead to single digits, 69-61 with 32.5 seconds to play.
Morse had 20 points on four 3-pointers, while Lily Mercer had 12 points and four rebounds, but the Blackhawks couldn’t overcome the slow start, which saw only seven made field goals in the first half.
In the second game Thursday, Charlo used a 20-point third quarter to pull away from Drummond in a 50-36 victory.
Liev Smith had 18 points, six rebounds and two assists for the Vikings, which trailed at halftime. Smith made seven of eight shots and had three steals for coach Bret Thompson. Kaitlin Cox chipped in with 16 points and eight rebounds.
Drummond used a strong second quarter to open a 21-19 halftime advantage. Sydney Philips finished with 10 points, the only Trojan in double figures, and six rebounds. Sara Kielley added eight points, Holly Hauptman had seven off the bench and Rylee Hilmo added six points of her own.
Charlo’s defense held Drummond to only 13 made field goals and 35 percent shooting, while the Vikings made half of their 40 field goal attempts.
Charlo and West Yellowstone will meet at 6:30 p.m. in Friday’s first girls semifinal, while Drummond falls to loser-out action against Seeley-Swan. That contest is scheduled for noon.
