It’s not how you start; it is how you finish. And the Hawks still look to finish strong.

The young and relentless Thompson Falls Blue Hawk boys dropped a pair of non-conference games last week but it was not for a lack of trying.

Now 1-3 in non-conference play heading into the holiday break, coach Jake Mickelson and his Hawks fell 61-41 to Anaconda in Thompson Falls Friday and completed play for the calendar year with a 69-46 loss to the Seeley-Swan Blackhawks in Seeley Lake Saturday.

Playing with a young, slightly inexperienced crew of juniors, sophomores and even a few precocious freshmen, the Hawks have been going through some growing pains so far this season. Mickelson said he welcomes the opportunity to watch his latest group of boys grow, hopefully into a seasoned, veteran crew like last year’s Blue Hawks – the undisputed District 7B champions. Team captain Blake Shusterman is the only senior on this season’s Hawk squad.

“We are grinding, working our way through things, still figuring out what everybody’s’ roles are,” Mickelson offered. “It’s no fun to lose but we see light at the end of the tunnel with this group. We are excited to get back to work after the holidays and see what we can do in 2026.”

Fueling Mickelson’s enthusiasm is the enthusiasm of his players. “These kids love to play and are working really hard,” he said. “We will only get better the more we play.”

The continuing standout play of junior Ethan Burgess was a highlight for the Hawks last week. Burgess was double double trouble to the opposition both nights, ringing up 24 points and 11 rebounds against Copperheads Friday and another 11 points and 10 boards versus the Blackhawks Saturday. Ethan also recorded three steals and an assist against Anaconda and a pair of each against Seeley.

Landon Baird added five points and two rebounds for the Hawks in the Anaconda game, Justin Myers four points, Alex Newman four points and two assists, and Kellen LeCoure three points, six rebounds, two assists and four steals.

Travis Dye led a balanced Anaconda attack with 12 points, Treyton Patrick, Kyson Patrick and Brady Galle added 10 apiece and Shane Shalk eight.

LeCoure led the Hawks in Seeley Lake with 14 points, besides recording two rebounds, an assist and a steal, Newman scored eight points and collected a rebound, Brylon VanElswyk scored five points with five rebounds, Baird added four points and five boards, Riley Reum two points and a rebound, and Tristan Kelly two points, three rebounds and two assists.

    ON THE FAST BREAK, Thompson Falls sophomore Kellen LeCoure in action against Anaconda in Thompson Falls Dec. 19. (John Hamilton/vp-mi)