It’s called taking care of business before business starts really heating up.

Eyeing the first round of the Western B divisional tournament, where they will face Anaconda at 8 p.m. Thursday in Ronan, the Lady Hawks went into Eureka and knocked off the Lady Lions 47-40 in the regular season finale for both teams.

“The girls were very business-like in Eureka,” Tessier said. “They knew they had a job to do and went out and did it. We wanted to show that we are ready for tournament play and I think we were able to do that in Eureka.”

Hoping to be one of the two teams to win their way out of this week’s Western B and earn a State B tournament bid (in Bozeman March 12-14) in the process, Tessier knows what he and his Lady Hawks are up against.

Florence and Loyola have pretty much dominated everyone else they have played this winter and will be the heavy favorites in Ronan out of District 6B, but Mission and Thompson Falls may have some other thoughts on that matter representing 7B.

“I really believe that we haven’t played our best basketball yet this season and would love to do that this week,” Tessier said. "I have a lot of confidence in this team, truly feel we are capable of beating anyone in the division.”

The Lady Hawks proved up to the task of defeating the Lady Lions on their home court in Eureka Saturday.

Enjoying one of her best games of the season, junior Addy Deal scored 24 points to lead the Hawks against the Lions, in addition to grabbing six rebounds and five steals and passing off four assists.

Seniors Gabi Hannum, Solveig Nygaard, Annalise Fairbank and Emma Claridge also made vital contributions to the win, Hannum with 12 points, four rebounds, two stals and four assists, Nygaard with 11 points, three rebounds, two steals and two assists, Fairbank with four points, a team-high seven rebounds and three assists, and Claridge with two points, a rebound and an assist.

Playing her way back into the rotation these past few weeks, junior Aubrey Baxter was good for four points, six rebounds, a steal and four assists. Freshman Audrey Fairbank also turned in strong guard play for the Hawks in Eureka.

Individual scoring for Eureka was not available.

Coach Tessier continues to be impressed with the fan support his Lady Hawks have received and continue to receive this season, even in far-off Eureka Saturday.

“Our fans have been great, either home or away,” he said. "The Thompson Falls Blue Hawks travel well and we really appreciate that support.”