Helena Capital raced out to a 17-point first quarter and used their physicality to defeat Flathead 58-35 in Western AA boys basketball on Saturday afternoon at Flathead High School.

“We challenged them to leave everything they have on the floor, I thought they competed the entire game today,” said Flathead coach Dan Trageser. “Capital is a good defensive team, we didn’t hit the shots, but I was proud of the effort our kids put forward today.” 

Lance Schneller led Flathead (1-11 overall, 0-7 in Western AA games) with eight points. Eli Coopman added six and Ben Reichner chipped in five. 

The Braves attempted two free throws; Capital shot 18 of 25 from the line. 

“It’s really hard to be competitive when one team is allowed to be that physical, and the other team shoots two free throws,” said Trageser.  

Kyle Bachmeier and Carson Toivonen scored 11 points apiece for Capital (8-4, 5-2 in conference). Brett Beuhler contributed 10 and Drew Almquist tallied seven. 

Flathead stayed within striking distance in the first quarter, answering Capital’s early 7–2 run with buckets from Boston Case and Schneller. The Braves cut the deficit to one midway through the period, but Capital closed the frame on an Almquist layup and Levang’s 3-pointer to lead 17-10. 

Coopman cut into the Bruins’ lead early in the second with a finish at the rim, making it 17-12. Both teams battled hard defensively until Flathead found itself in early foul trouble. Coopman exited with three fouls, and the Bruins entered the double-bonus at the 4:43 mark.  

Capital took advantage before half; Almquist and Toivonen drained five free-throws, pushing the lead to 29–14 at the break. 

Schneller sparked Flathead early in the third with a pair of steals and layups, cutting the deficit to 33-22. Capital quickly answered with back-to-back layups from Will Spotorno. Fann swished a midrange jumper for Flathead before Capital extended the lead 39-24 with a 3-pointer from Bachmeier and a reverse-layup from Kobe Gamradt. Bachmeier finished with three triples. 

Reichner hit Flathead’s lone three to keep afloat 43–27 heading into the fourth. 

The Braves added a few baskets late, but the Bruins never let their lead reach any danger level.  

“Every game has to be treated like a playoff game,” said Trageser. “I’ve been really proud of our guys and how they’ve come out, how they’ve competed early.” 

The Braves travel to Missoula Hellgate to continue conference play on Feb. 5 with tip-off set for 7 p.m. 

Capital    17    12    14    15    -    58 

Flathead    10    4    13    8    -    35 

 HELENA CAPITAL — Kobe Gamradt 2 0-0 4, Joey Merganthaler 0 3-4 3, Kyle Bachmeier 3 2-2 11, Carson Toivonen 3 5-6 11, Landon Levang 2 1-4 6, Drew Almquist 2 3-4 7, Brett Buehler 3 4-5 10, Will Spotorno 3 0-0 6. Totals 18 18-25 58  

FLATHEAD — Sam McConnell 0 0-0 0, Benny Forman 1 0-0 2, Eli Coopman 3 0-0 6, Ben Reichner 2 0-0 5, Lance Schneller 4 0-2 8, Hunter Fann 2 0-2 4, Liam Rech 2 0-0 4, Reece Brotherton 0 0-0 0, Boston Case 2 0-0 4, Max Shostak 0 0-0 0, Kyler Kossman 1 0-0 2. Totals 17 0-2 35. 

3-point goals — Helena Capital 4 (Bachmeier 3, Levang), Flathead 1 (Reichner). Fouls — Helena Capital 9, Flathead 18. Fouled out — Case.  

    Flahtead's Lance Schneller (12) drives to the basket guarded by Helena Capital's Carson Toivonen (5) in the third quarter at Flathead High School on Saturday, Jan. 31. (Casey Kreider/Daily Inter Lake)
 Casey Kreider   

    Flathead's Eli Coopman (4) drives to the basket in the first quarter against Helena Capital at Flathead High School on Saturday, Jan. 31. (Casey Kreider/Daily Inter Lake)
 Casey Kreider   

    Flathead's Hunter Fann (15) shoots in the second quarter against Helena Capital at Flathead High School on Saturday, Jan. 31. (Casey Kreider/Daily Inter Lake)
 Casey Kreider   

    Flathead's Max Shostak (33) drives to the basket in the first half against Helena Capital at Flathead High School on Saturday, Jan. 31. (Casey Kreider/Daily Inter Lake)
 Casey Kreider   

    Flathead's Reece Brotherton (23) shoots in the third quarter against Helena Capital at Flathead High School on Saturday, Jan. 31. (Casey Kreider/Daily Inter Lake)
 Casey Kreider