An emotional weekend for Flathead High School ended on a positive note.

The boys basketball team won its second Western AA conference game in as many days Saturday afternoon, downing Helena High 62-52 to improve to 7-4 overall and 3-1 in league play.

On Friday evening, the Braves slipped past Helena Capital 50-48 on Mike VanArendonk's basket just before the buzzer sounded.

Earlier in the week, Flathead High School lost a dear friend and super booster. Dell McManus, who was 79, passed away on Tuesday.

McManus was honored prior to both varsity games with the two Helena schools at FHS with a moment of silence.

"The Braves want everyone to know that this weekend, these games were all dedicated to Dell McManus," Flathead coach Fred Febach said.

"The boys wrote his name on their shoes and carried his spirit with them throughout. From Mike's winning shot at the buzzer Friday night to today's win and our collective moment of silence before each game, it was all for Dell. The Braves and Flathead athletics never had a more supportive fan. He will be sorely missed."

VanArendonk played another key role in Saturday's victory, tying Matt McLean and George Sherwood for team-high scoring honors with 13 points apiece.

VanArendonk was a force inside, finishing with a team best nine rebounds. Sherwood pulled down eight.

The Braves trailed just once, 2-0, and led by as many as 12, 31-19 at the half.

Helena High (1-11, 0-5), however, never faded.

The Bengals took advantage of Flathead's offensive lapses to close the gap several times, getting as close at 40-37 late in the third period.

Helena High trimmed its deficit to five, 53-49, with 1:45 to play, but Flathead put the game away by sinking nine of 10 free throws.

McLean went 5-for-6 from the line during that stretch, while Ian Gillespie and Sherwood were both 2-for-2.

Gillespie finished with 11 points.

Helena High's Zach Hulse led all scorers with 19 points.

Flathead finished 26-for-41 at the charity stripe, while Helena High was 15-for-25.

Helena was whistled for 31 fouls, including a technical on coach Willie Schlepp, and had two players foul out.

Flathead totaled 17 fouls and lost Joe Pistorese to five fouls.

Fouls, turnovers and long scoring droughts by Flathead resulted in a physical, sloppy game.

"It's really tough, especially after we had such a hard-fought game the night before," Febach said.

He said the intensity level was missing in the first half.

"It took us awhile to get into the flow of the game," he said.

"That's when the seniors stepped up and showed some leadership."

Flathead outrebounded Helena High 48-39. The Bengals had 19 turnovers to Flathead's 12.

Flathead, which has won five straight, has another big weekend ahead. The Braves host rival Glacier on Friday, 6 p.m., then travel to Hellgate on Saturday, 4:30 p.m.

Helena High 6 13 18 15 - 52

Flathead 16 15 11 20 - 62

HELENA HIGH - Dylan Simac 3 2-2 10, Zach Hulse 6 6-10 19, Dawson Reardon 0 1-2 1, Austin Chamberlain 1 0-0 2, Tyler Wiedeman 2 0-0 4, Levi Merkel 1 6-8 8, Nate Hinrichs 1 0-2 2, Curtis Anderson 1 0-1 2, David Meis 2 0-0 4. Totals: 17 15-25 52.

FLATHEAD - Mike VanArendonk 5 5-8 13, Matt McLean 2 8-10 13, Ian Gillespie 4 2-4 11, Joe Pistorese 1 3-4 5, George Sherwood 3 7-10 13, Shea Schroeder 1 0-2 2, Scotty Keller 2 1-3 5. Totals: 18 26-41 62.

3-point goals - Simac (2), Hulse; McLean, Gillespie; Team fouls - Helena 31, Flathead 17; Fouled out - Simac, Meis; Pistorese; Technicals - Helena coach Willie Schlepp.