Tough halves lead to losses for C-Falls, Browning

HAMILTON — A couple slow halves doomed the Browning Indians and Columbia Falls Wildkats Friday, as both lost in the semifinals of the Western A girls basketball tournament.

Dillon outscored Columbia Falls 38-15 after halftime to beat the Kats 56-40, setting up an all-Southwest A final with Hamilton, which beat Browning 62-47.

Both Browning and Columbia Falls play this morning with chances to claim the fifth and final Western A berth into the state tournament, set for March 10-12 in Missoula.

Hamilton 62, Browning 47

Taryn Searle’s night included three 3-pointers and 15 points in the second quarter, when the Broncs (20-3) flew out to a 32-19 lead. She finished with four threes and was also 10-for-13 at the line.

Mecca Bullchild scored 11 points to lead Browning (15-5), which takes on Stevensville at 11 a.m. with a chance at the State A still in range.

Semfinal

Hamilton 8 24 15 15 - 62

Browning 10 9 13 15 - 47

HAMILTON — Taryn Searle 28, Layne Kearns 19, Taylor McCarthy 7, Mya Winkler 4, Lexi Brennaman 2, Lavana Wetzel 2.

BROWNING — Mecca Bullchild 11, Sugar Spoonhunter 9, Amerai Calf Robe 2, Jerel Whitegrass 6, Brailey Racine 2, Lush Spoonhunter 5, Tashlyn Lazyboy 3, Kalcie Connelly 2, Cara Guardipee 3, Kinsley Bird 4.

Dillon 56, Columbia Falls 40

Ainsley Shipman’s 20 points led Dillon, which trailed 25-18 at halftime.

The Wildkats got strong games from Hope McAtee (18 points) and Grace Gedlaman (12), but couldn’t keep the momentum. They’ll play Butte Central at 11 a.m.

Semifinal

Dillon 14 4 16 22 - 56

C-Falls 10 15 6 9 - 40

DILLON — Sydney Petersen 2, Ainsley Shipman 20, Evey Hansen 4, Halle Fitzgerald 2, Jordyn Walker 11, Kylie Konen 4.

COLUMBIA FALLS — Abbie Darsow 3, Maddie Robison 5, Alexis Green 2, Grace Gedlaman 12, Hope McAtee 18.

Stevensville 50, Ronan 40

Cambree Praast hit two 3-pointers as Stevensville opened up a 15-5 first-quarter lead, and she finished with a game-high 13 points.

Dani Coffman’s 10 points led Ronan, which ended up 14-7.

Loser out

Ronan 5 8 16 11 - 40

Stevi 15 14 10 11 - 50

RONAN — Dani Coffman 10, Olivia Heiner 9, Leina Ulutoa 9, Margaret Cordova 4, Lauryn Buhr 6, Kylie Fetui 2.

STEVENSVILLE — Cambree Praast 13, Claire Hutchison 10, Lexi Perez 9, Shilo Lampi 8, Hailey Thomoas 5, Kelli Wandler 3, Dawsyn Brewer 2.

Butte Central 47, Polson 40

Ella Moodry’s 18 points led the Maroons, who saw Polson climb back from a 27-17 deficit to trail by three.

Grace Simonich scored 10 points to lead the Lady Pirates, who ended up 5-16.

Loser out

Polson 9 8 15 8 - 40

Butte Central 17 10 10 10 - 47

POLSON — Grace Simonich 10, Areanna Burke 9, Ilysia Adams 2, McKenna Hanson 2, Turquoise Pierre 1, Lexi Wirz 6, Lulia Barnard 1, Jazlyn Dalbey 3.

BUTTE CENTRAL — Ella Moodry 18, Sofee Thatcher 15, Brooke Badovinac 12, Breanna Foley 2.