Rams end Hawks season

The Thompson Falls Bluehawks were 18 points away from going to the state championships after being defeated by 7-B champions, the Loyola Rams 72-54, in a challenge game Monday night at Polson.

“We didn't expect them to shoot as good as they did from the outside,” said Bluehawks head coach Chadd Laws, who put much in his defense to keep them away from the basket. However, he said it was difficult keeping Rams Adam Hollenback and Caleb DeGroot from striking. Loyola held Thompson Falls to only two points - scored by senior Erik Gilbert - in the first quarter, while chalking up 13 Ram points. The second quarter saw the Rams rake in 17 points, but the Bluehawks managed to sink 14 points. “We still felt we were in striking distance,” said Laws, and in the third quarter, the Hawks picked up 14 points, while their adversary collected 20. It was only in the fourth quarter that the Bluehawks managed to outscore the Rams 24 points to 22. “But the damage was done and we couldn't catch up,” said Laws, adding that they didn't capitalize on some shot opportunities.

Gilbert led the charge in the last game of the season with 19 points, including five 3-pointers. Brandon Damaskos, also a senior, had three 3-point baskets and a total of 14 points against the Rams.

Laws said the Rams had a formidable defense, particularly on stopping the 6-foot-4 senior Dallas VonHeeder from getting in close to the basket, although he was able to score six points Monday evening. The coach said VonHeeder's shooting from the free throw line has been his biggest strength since the start of January, when he has hit 62 points of 57 attempts at the foul line.

Prior to the challenge game, VonHeeder had collected 74 points during the divisional competition, including shooting 92 percent at the free throw line against Seeley-Swan in the first game, 88 percent in the second face-off with the Blackhawks, and eight-for-eight against the Trojans. VonHeeder was one of four seniors on the Bluehawks roster and instrumental in the team's victories throughout the season, said Laws, who's been the head coach for the T-Falls boys for the last eight years.

The Bluehawks started the Western B Divisional Tournament last week with a 72-69 victory over the Valley Christian Eagles Thursday. However, the Thompson Falls boys were handed a 76-61 loss by the Seeley-Swan Blackhawks Friday. The Blackhawks had gone into the divisional playoffs with a 17-3 win/loss record to take second place in their district. The Blackhawks beat the Horsemen 68-55.

Eight teams, including Plains, Deer Lodge, Troy, and Eureka, vied for the two top spots to qualify for the state championships at Belgrade Thursday to Saturday. The Eureka Lions and the Plains Horsemen were ousted Friday. On Saturday, Deer Lodge Wardens and Troy Trojans fell. Seeley-Swan took Loyola 76-72 in overtime Saturday.

After Thompson Falls was defeated by Seeley-Swan Friday, the Bluehawks went on to claim Saturday victories over the Trojans and a second game against Valley Christian, giving them the opportunity to challenge the Rams for the second place slot.

“We have a team of great athletes that will themselves to win,” said Laws. Senior Brian Schenavar led the team with 19 points against Valley Christian Saturday with 19 points, including four 3-pointers. The 5-foot-10 Schenavar also chalked up three 3-point baskets against Seeley-Swan.

Gilbert led the team with 14 points against the Blackhawks, and senior Brandon Damaskos had 10 points in the Troy battle.

Thompson Falls had a slight lead over Eagles most of the first quarter, but ended with 18 apiece. Valley Christian hit their mark right away in the second, but the Hawks quickly regained a lead. The Eagles were only three behind when VonHeeder swished in a 3-pointer to put the Hawks up 36-30 at halftime. Valley Christian took the lead midway through the third, but two from the free throw line by VonHeeder put his team back out front. By the time the third quarter buzzer sounded, the Bluehawks had a 54-51 lead. The Eagles took a one-point lead with just over three minutes to go, but it didn't take long for the Hawks to rebound with four consecutive buckets for six-point lead. The Eagles came to within three points with 26 seconds on the clock, when VonHeeder scored two free throw points. Valley Christian picked up two more points at the free throw line, but not enough to pass T-Falls.

Seeley-Swan pounded the Bluehawks throughout the game Friday, never allowing the Thompson Falls team to get within striking distance of gaining the lead. Only at the end of the first quarter - 23-19 - was Thompson Falls team close. By halftime, the Blackhawks spread the gap to 40-28, then went on to gain a 20-point lead by the end of the third. The Bluehawks outscored the Blackhawks 16 points to 12 in the fourth, but couldn't catch up.

“Seeley has a tremendously talented team,” said Laws, who added that his Bluehawks matched their adversary on speed, but were out-sized. He gave particular credit to Blackhawk Ryan Nelson, who Laws believes to be the best point guard in the state. “We shot the ball well, but had too many turnovers,” said Laws.

Competition against Troy and Valley Christian wasn't as tough as Seeley-Swan, but Laws said they never took the Trojans and Eagles for granted.

The Hawks conquered the Trojans 65-39 Saturday morning, putting Troy out of the competition. Though the Bluehawks didn't consider the Trojans an easy win, Troy never got close. Thompson Falls started maintained the lead throughout the competition, finishing the first quarter with an eight-point lead, then adding another 11 points to their scoreboard in the second, while allowing the Trojans to pick up only another nine points.

In the third, the Bluehawks advanced to 51 points, but the Trojans managed to gain only nine again. Troy picked up a dozen points in the fourth; Thompson Falls gained 14. Laws was able to play his entire bench against Troy and all but two of his players were able to score during the game. VonHeeder led the team with 15 points.

The Bluehawks kept up their drive in their evening game against Valley Christian, immediately beginning with a 19-8 lead in the first quarter. The T-Falls boys managed only six points in the second while the Eagles picked up nine. In the third, Laws' boys gained another 17 points; the Eagles gained 18. The Bluehawks finished the game 63-47 with Schenavar leading the flock with 19 points.

“We took the game from them,” said Laws. “Our kids played more aggressive than they did.”

Laws said he has been specifically appreciative in the Bluehawk fans throughout the season. “We have the best fan base certainly in our district and maybe in all western Montana.”