The Daily Inter Lake

HELENA - Twice as nice.

Flathead Valley Homeschool, which captured its first ever Montana Christian Athletic Association state championship in girls basketball a year ago, now has a second title to go with it.

The Lady Crusaders, 14-3 on the season, defeated Yellowstone County Homeschool 60-48 Saturday afternoon in the state final at Carroll College.

The matchup featured the top seeded teams from the East and West divisions.

"These girls are truly champions," FVHS coach Paul Zemke said.

"My captains, Janelle (Sheeran) and Charity (Zemke) made my job a lot easier, but all the girls put forth a great effort to put them over the top. I look forward to next year. I think they are establishing their legacy and we are only losing one senior."

Charity Zemke had another monster game for the victors, scoring 35 points, posting eight steals and four asists.

She was 15 of 16 free throw shooting.

On Friday, in a 69-60 semifinal victory over Stillwater Christian School, she scored 37 points and was 23 of 25 from the charity stripe.

She turned in a double-double with 19 points and 10 steals in the tournament opener on Thursday.

"As a coach and father, I hate to give Charity too much praise," Paul said.

"I don't want it to go to her head and make her impossible to live with. But as a coach, I really appreciate Charity's incredible clutch shooting at the line this tournament."

Kelsey Sladek led Flathead Valley in rebounding in the title game with 10. Sheeran and Theresa Williams both had nine and Danae Sheeran six.

Danae Sheeran also added nine points.

The Lady Crusaders jumped out to a 14-6 lead and remained in charge at the half, 27-21. They put the game away in the final frame, outscoring the Lady Knights 21-11.

Zemke was named the tournament MVP and presented with a print from the Montana Army National Guard for being Warrior of the Game. She also received a standing ovation.

Zemke and Janelle Sheeran were named to the all-tournament first team and Sladek was listed to the second squad.

Helena Christian defeated Stillwater Christian School (SCS) 46-37 to finish third. Emma Miller scored 16 points to lead SCS.

Stillwater's Brittany Downing was named to the all-tournament second team.

Teammate Sonya Solum received a Christian Character Award.

LADY CRUSADERS 60, LADY KNIGHTS 48

Flathead Valley 14 13 12 21 - 60

Yellowstone County 6 15 16 11 - 48

Flathead Valley Home School - Charity Zemke 10 15-16 35, Danae Sheeran 3 3-4 9, Theresa Williams 2 3-5 7, Kelsey Sladek 3 0-0 6, Janelle Sheeran 1 1-6 3. Totals: 19 22-31 60.

Yellowstone County - Ellie Hanson 7 0-0 14, Virginia Duke 3 5-10 11, Alissa Schultz 2 0-0 11, Bethany Flohr 2 0-0 4, Shiloh Lund 0 4-4 4, Hannah Hanson 1 0-0 3, Alice Transon 0 1-5 1. Totals: 15 10-19 48.

3-point goals: Schultz (3), Hanson. Team fouls: Flathead Valley 19, Yellowstone County 23. Fouled out: Lund, Schultz.