Packed week for Blackhawks

SEELEY LAKE - The Seeley-Swan Blackhawks and Lady Blackhawks had a busy week hosting Granite Jan 8, traveling to Darby Jan. 11 and they were back at home Jan. 12 to take on Victor. The Boys defeated Granite and Victor but fell to Darby while the Ladies fell to Granite and defeated Darby and Victor.

The Blackhawks found themselves in debt after the first quarter against the Granite Prospectors but the Boys fought their way back by the half. The Boys carried their second quarter momentum though the rest of the game, outscoring the Prospectors in the third and fourth quarters to a 59-49 victory.

Three Blackhawks scored into the double digits with Owen Mercado leading the way at 16 followed by Chance Johnson at 14 and Cordell Turner with 10. The Boys were off from the free-throw line only hitting 7 of 14 though Turner was 2 for 2. Johnson hit 2 of the team's three-pointers.

Also scoring: Dakota Wood 8, Hunter Shelmerdine 8 and Lane Mackie-Wendel 3.

The Lady Blackhawks came out strong but struggled to shut down the Prospectors' three-point shooting in the second and third quarters. The Ladies made some gains in the final frame but it wasn't enough and they fell 38-43.

Lily Mercer led the Lady Blackhawks with 11 points. Autumn Morse hit a pair of three-pointers on her way to 9 points. The Ladies were 50 percent from the free throw line.

Also scoring: Terra Bertsch 5, Bethany Hoag 4, Lauryn Barnes 4, Kara Good 2, Sariah Maughan 2 and Aspen Conley 1.

In Darby the Blackhawks had a rough start against the Tigers. Though they were down by 20 points at the half the Boys from Seeley-Swan never gave up. They chiseled away at the Tigers' lead through the second half but came up short when the final buzzer rang. The final score was 51-60.

Turner led the Blackhawks with 21 points including 5 three pointers while Mercado pounded in 16 points. Johnson had 13 including going 3 for 3 from the free-throw line and Shelmerdine rounded out the scoring with 2.

The Lady Blackhawks faired better against the Tigers putting them down 15 points by the half and fending off in the second half to a 48-36 victory.

Ashley Miller had 13 points to lead the Lady Blackhawks followed by 12 points from Good. Maughan had the Ladies' only three-pointer and the team hit 50 percent from the free throw line.

Also scoring: Mercer 6, Maughan 5, Morse 4, Bertsch 4, Barnes 2 and Taylor Dillree 2.

The Blackhawks outpaced the Victor Pirates through the whole game leading by 16 at the half and they finished them off 60-31.

Mercado put up 24 points to lead the Blackhawks. Turner sunk 4 three-pointers on his way to 16 points and Johnson added 15. The Boys went 6 for 7 from the free throw line with Johnson and Mercado shooting 100 percent.

Also scoring: Wood 2, Walker McDonald 2 and Shelmerdine 1.

The Lady Blackhawks sunk the Pirates ship in the bay. Survivors managed to make just three baskets and a free throw before being sent home. Lady Blackhawks 66, Pirates 7.

Every Lady on the bench saw playing time and nearly all scored. Jory Towe and Bertsch led with 10 points each. The team shot 7 for 13 from the free-throw line.

Also scoring: Maughan 9, Morse 7, Miller 6, Good 6, Mercer 6, Conley 5, Barnes 5 and Dillree 2.

Next week

The Blackhawks and Lady Blackhawks head to Missoula to take on Valley Christian Jan. 19 with JV girls starting at 1:30 p.m.