As it turns out, fourth time is a charm for the Arlee Scarlets. After winning their first two games at the divisional tournament, the Scarlets met up with a familiar foe – Plains. The Trotters had beat Arlee three times previous to Saturday night, including a barn burner last weekend at the 14C district championship in Pablo. 

In Arlee’s first round game, they matched up with a tough Twin Bridges team. After being down three at the end of the first, Arlee took a six point lead at half. Twin cut into that lead, but the Scarlets would not be stopped, winning the game 47-43. “We did our homework,” coach Bill Stockton said of the win, “Beating Twin gave us confidence. I think a sign of a good team is that we are still getting better, still improving every week.”

That confidence carried them through the rest of the tournament. In the semifinals, the Scarlets met up with Seeley-Swan, a team they last saw at the opening tournament in Frenchtown almost three months ago. The Blackhawks got the best of Arlee in that game, but that wouldn’t be the case Friday night. After being tied up through much of the game, Arlee had a huge fourth quarter to pull away from Seeley, winning the game 42-29.

The teams on Arlee’s side of the brackets proved to be tough, as Twin and Seeley met in the consolation game Saturday night. That took a lot of pressure off the Scarlets, who were then guaranteed a state birth since neither team could challenge them if they happened to lose to Plains.

With a little less pressure, the Scarlets headed into the championship game.

Both teams came out a little slow but Arlee found their legs first. Becca Whitesell got the Scarlets going with a three point shot at the buzzer to take a 9-3 lead going into the second quarter. In the second, Plains could not get a shot to drop, and Arlee took advantage, taking a 20-6 lead at halftime. Plains shot only 12.5 percent on field goals in the first half, while Arlee shot 50 percent. In the third quarter, Plains started to get things going from behind the arc. In fact, all nine points they scored in the third were from three’s. However, Leah Thompson picked up her fourth foul during that time and Alyssia Vanderburg had some important baskets, keeping Plains from taking over the game. After three, the score was 28-17, and Plains was gaining ground. Right away in the fourth, Carly Hergett picked up her fourth foul, and a few minutes later, she fouled out right after Thompson. With less than three minutes to go, Carly Vonheeder hit her second three of the game to bring the Trotters within nine points. A little later, Plains hit another three, then stole the ball and made the score 28-35 with time winding down. Another three by Kimberly Earheart brought them within four, but Morgan Malatare took a charge the next trip down the floor, then Plains missed two three point attempts and the Scarlets held on to win the game 37-31. The win sets up Arlee’s first state appearance since 1981.

Coach Bill Stockton said that one of the reasons this game had a different outcome than their last three was better rebounding. “We did a lot better on the defensive glass, not allowing them second chance opportunities,” he said, “We also did better making our free throws when we needed to.” He also said that knowing they already had a spot secured a the state tourney helped.

“Knowing that we were going to state no matter what took a lot of pressure off of us. We were able to play more relaxed.”

The Scarlets now have a week off before the state tournament March 11-13 in Great Falls.

First round

Arlee 47, Twin Bridges 43

Arlee- 9 14 8 16 – 47

Twin- 12 5 12 14 – 43

ARLEE – Becca Whitesell 11, Carly Hergett 9, Abby Yocum 2, Megan Shick 2, Alyssia Vanderburg 14, Bryndle Goyins 9.

TWIN BRIDGES – Madyson Beagley 4, Cassie Williams 5, Jessica George 5, Mara Johnson 3, Cassidy Wetzel 4, Brooke Schandelmeier 3, Kailee Oliverson 11, Megan Martin 3, RaeAnna Bendon 5.

Semifinal

Arlee 42, Seeley-Swan 29

Seeley- 5 10 7 7 – 29

Arlee- 6 9 8 19 – 42

SEELEY-SWAN – Paige Holmes 8, Delaney Holzworth 7, Mary Strumpfer 2, Alex Bohlman 10, Tessa Grimes 2.

ARLEE – Becca Whitesell 6, Carly Hergett 9, Abby Yocum 4, Morgan Malatare 3, Alyssia Vanderburg 14, Bryndle Goyins 4.

Championship

Arlee 37, Plains 31

Arlee- 9 11 8 9 – 37

Plains- 3 3 11 14 – 31

ARLEE – Becca Whitesell 6, Carly Hergett 7, Morgan Malatare 2, Alyssia Vanderburg 18, Bryndle Goyins 4.

PLAINS – Kimberly Earhart 12, Jade LaDeaux 8, Carley Vonheeder 7, Lily Huenink 2, Leah Thompson 2.

ARLEE STATS

STEALS (6) Whitesell 3, Malatare 2, Hergett 1.

REBOUNDS (29) Goyins 5, Vanderburg 5, Whitesell 4, Hergett 3, Malatare 3, Shick 2, Lindberg 1, Yocum 1.

ASSISTS (6) Malatare 4, Whitesell 2

FG - 13/27 (48.1%) 3 PT - 1/4 (25%) FT - 10/16 (62.5%)