The High School B-Ball teams played at Baker on Friday, and against Melstone at home on Saturday, capping off the first portion of the season, which featured a number of very challenging non-conference games against tough opponents.

Girls

Going up against the #1 in MT State Class B Baker Lady Spartans was a challenge for the Lady Hawks. Broadus Girls Coach Kristie Lanke went into the game with certain goals for the Lady Hawks – turn the ball over fewer times than in their first meeting, and put up more shots. Overall those goals were fulfilled, as Broadus kept the score close in the first quarter before Baker opened up a lead and kept the young Broadus team in single digit scoring by quarter in the second through fourth quarters. Broadus held Madison O'Connor to 20 points, as she got into foul trouble early. Baker beat Broadus by a score of 69-29.

Playing Melstone on Saturday, Broadus kept the score close through the first quarter and into the second, as Melstone employed a 1-2-2 zone, eventually shutting down the middle of the court while Broadus kept sending the ball that direction, causing turnovers.

Broadus fell 52-37 to Melstone.

"Our mistakes killed us there," Coach Kristie told us of the loss, as Melstone scored 31 points off turnovers.

Zeason Schaffer had an excellent game, with 15 points, scoring 7 of 9 from the field and sinking a three.

Lanke has been rotating in a fifth player from her cast of young players, depending on who has had a good week of practice, she told us. As an example, Kassie Hagedorn made some great plays against Melstone, and sank 2 of 2 free throws.

"We're excited to get into conference play," Kristie commented as she looked towards the upcoming schedule. Wibaux lost several seniors last season but has one former player returning from injury, while Jordan graduated several seniors but are expected to be as scrappy as ever.

The Lady Hawks are healthy going into the conference schedule, and a JV game will take place against Jordan, their first of the year.

Boys

The Hawks prepared well for the game at Baker, and had goals of staying out of foul trouble, which had been an issue during their first meeting in Broadus. That goal was achieved (at least during the first four quarters), as the game went to triple overtime.

Broadus led early 15-11 in the first quarter; Coach Dustin Lanke told us that the lead would've been more substantial if not for some missed bunnies. Free throw shooting was also an issue, as Broadus went 12 for 23, including overtime free throws that could've won the game. Previous to this game, Broadus had been shooting more like 70%.

Despite a valiant effort by the Hawks in OT which saw three of their taller players (Landen Capp, Matt Hansen, and Jaxon Bilbrey) foul out, the Hawks fell 63-58 in triple overtime.

Landen Capp had an excellent game, with 16 points.

Coach Lanke emphasized proper recovery to the team as they left Baker, with hydration, electrolytes, and rest a priority, since they would have to play against Melstone on Saturday.

"I was impressed with how the team handled themselves. They didn't let it get to them, they came out against Melstone and played strong," Lanke commented.

A goal this time against Melstone was to keep them off the free throw line, and Broadus did a better job this time around, with Melstone and Broadus shooting 7 free throws each. Broadus led 10 to 8 after 1 and 20 to 14 after the half, as the Hawks scored .92 points per possession against Melstone's .72 ppp.

Broadus went on to beat Melstone 48 to 40.

Jaxon Bilbrey had a huge night for the Hawks, with 18 points and shooting 9 of 9 field goals. Eli Heacock hit some important free throws late in the game to seal the win against Melstone, which had been ranked 7th in the state and previously only lost one game.

"It was a team effort, and a great win," Lanke said.

Now the teams prepare for conference action, as they travel to Wibaux on Friday and host Jordan on Saturday. Wibaux seems to be a bit down from years past, while Jordan is perennially tough on both girls and boys. Tip-off times for the Jordan games have been bumped up earlier in the day due to weather. JV Girls are set to begin at 11 AM on Saturday, JV Boys at 12:30, Varsity Girls at 2, and Varsity Boys at 3:30.

Emelyn Harper puts up a shot in Lady Hawk basketball action, last weekend. (Photo courtesy Jacy Collins)

Thus far there have been only a few conference games across the 4C, so a clear picture is not yet available of who will stand out in the conference – games over the next few weeks will paint that picture.