Lady Blackhawks Third at Divisional Tournaments

BUTTE - The Seeley-Swan Lady Blackhawks' season came to an end with a third place finish at the Western C Divisional Tournament Feb. 25.

The Ladies won their opening game against Ennis but fell in the semifinal to Arlee. They sent St. Regis home before facing Ennis again in the consolation game.

The Lady Blackhawks defeated Ennis for third place and needed Arlee to win the championship for any hopes to challenge for second.

Arlee fell to Twin Bridges and the Lady Blackhawks settled for third.

The Lady Blackhawks end their season with an impressive 22-2 record. They suffered their two losses to Class B, Bigfork early in the season and then to Arlee in the semifinal.

Versus Ennis

The Lady Blackhawks took on the Mustangs from Ennis in the opening round of the Western C Divisional Tournament Feb. 23.

The teams traded shots through the first half and the Lady Blackhawks headed into the second half down one.

The Lady Blackhawks came out in the third quarter ready to win. They held the Mustangs to just one basket while they put up 14 points. The Ladies held onto their lead through the final quarter to a 36-23 victory.

Tessa Grimes led the Ladies with 7 points followed by Stevi Meade's 6 points. Meade hit 2 of the teams 5 three-pointers.

The Lady Blackhawks shot 5 of 8 from the free throw line with Grimes and Cera Strumpfer each hit 2 for 2.

Also scoring: Autumn Morse 5; Andi Bohlman 4; Mary Strumpfer 4; Chloe Robbins 4; Alex Bohlman 4 and Cera 2.

Versus Arlee

The Lady Blackhawks came head-to-head with the Arlee Scarlets in the semifinal Feb. 24. Arlee has handed the Lady Blackhawks a loss in the divisional tournament for the last two years.

The Lady Blackhawks fell behind early and Arlee slowly pulled ahead. The Ladies had a hard time putting the ball in the basket, hitting only a pair of three pointers and going 0 for 4 from the free throw line.

By the fourth quarter the Lady Blackhawks matched Arlee point for point but couldn't close the gap. They fell 32-40 and headed to the consolation bracket.

Alex Bohlman and Tessa Grimes led the ladies with 12 points each.

Also scoring: Andi Bohlman 4; Stevi Meade 2 and Mary Strumpfer 2.

Versus St. Regis

The Lady Blackhawks faced the St. Regis Tigers in a loser-out game Feb. 25.

The Ladies came out strong and put the Tigers down early. They took a 13-point advantage into the second half and stayed out of the Tigers' reach. The Lady Blackhawks sent the Tigers home, 61-45.

Tessa Grimes put in 9 baskets and a free throw to lead the Lady Blackhawks with 19 points. Autumn Morse hit 2 of the Ladies' 3 three-pointers.

The Lady Blackhawks sunk 8 of 10 from the free throw line with Grimes, Terra Bertsch and Alex Bohlman all hitting 100 percent.

Also scoring: Alex 9; Andi Bohlman 8; Morse 8; Mary Strumpfer 7; Chloe Robbins 4; Ashley Miller 2 and Bertsch 2.

Versus Ennis

The Lady Blackhawks came up against Ennis for the second time in the consolation game of the tournament Feb. 25.

The Lady Blackhawks needed a victory for any chance to challenge for a spot in the state tournament. So did Ennis and they came out kicking, outscoring the Lady Blackhawks nearly 2 to 1 in the first quarter.

The Lady Blackhawks were not ready to head home and flipped the score in the second quarter. They took a 2-point lead into the half.

The Mustangs shaved it to one by the fourth quarter but the Lady Blackhawks were able to hold on for a 39-36 victory. The Ladies had tamed the Mustangs twice and earned third place in the tournament.

Cera Strumpfer had her best game of the tournament, leading the Ladies with 12 points followed by Alex Bohlman with 11.

The Lady Blackhawks hit 8 of 11 from the free throw line.

Also scoring: Tessa Grimes 8; Andi Bohlman 4; Stevi Meade 3 and Mary Strumpfer 1.