Bobcat boys escape loser-out trap to make Western C
JOHN HAMILTON | Hagadone News Network | UPDATED 2 months, 3 weeks AGO
BOBCAT SENIOR Phin Cataldo dribbles during 14C tournament semifinal play against Two Eagle River at Linderman Gym in Polson Friday. (John Hamilton/vp-mi)
Overcoming the loser-out game syndrome with a strong second half against Charlo Saturday morning, and punching their ticket to this week’s Western C divisional tournament with a decisive win over Noxon later Saturday in the District 14C consolation game, the Superior Bobcat boys won third place in the conference tournament in Polson last week.
With the win, the Bobcats earn a first round game against Gardiner in the Western C divisional tourney Wednesday at 6 p.m. If coach Jake McElroy and his Bobcats beat Gardiner, Superior will then play District 13C champion Lincoln in the tourney quarterfinals Thursday.
McElroy and the Bobcats had an eventful time in winning their way to Butte in Polson last week, defeating Alberton 77-31 in the first round Thursday, losing a hard-fought semifinal 56-48 to Two Eagle River Friday, coming back to escape Charlo 52-50 in a tense loser-out test Saturday morning, and finally clinching their Western C berth with a 64-42 victory over Noxon in the 14C consolation game.
McElroy felt the loser out win over Charlo may have been the key one for his Cats. The Vikings, shooting very well from 3-point land all game long, took the lead in the first half, forcing the Bobcats into comeback mode in the second half.
With Landon Richards getting serious inside and scoring eight points in the quarter, the Bobcats outscored the Vikings 19-14 in the period to take a 35-34 lead into the fourth quarter. The Bobcats built the lead to as much as six points in the fourth but Charlo refused to go away, keeping the pressure on before finally falling back.
“These loser out games are the hardest ones to play,” he said. “You go from being in the spotlight, playing in the marquee game of the tournament one night, and then you’re in a sudden-death situation only a few hours later, playing for your tournament life.
“I felt good about how our boys responded to that against Charlo, we got it done,” he added, “and we feel good about ourselves heading to Butte this week. We feel like we are playing good basketball right now.”
All teams in Butte will be playing for one of the top two spots in the division and entry into the State C tournament in Missoula March 12-14.
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