Lady Hawks and Trotters duke it out on court

THOMPSON FALLS – The Lady Hawks and the Trotters came head-to-head in battle over the weekend, both teams fighting for a win.

Plains started the game off scoring three points. After a free throw shot from Trotter Kayla Holmes, the team was in the lead.

Plains shot a barrage of points pushing their lead to 10-3. Logan Beckman was the only Lady Hawk to put points up in the first quarter.

As the game went into the second quarter, Leah Thompson fired two points.

Both Angela Padden and Beckman brought in two points and with five minutes left in the quarter Plains led 12-7.

The Trotters worked hard to stretch their lead and Hailey Phillips plowed over her opponents to put in a layup. Thompson fed off her energy and sunk a basket with nothing but net.

A series of freethrows brought the Trotters to a further lead. Thompson Falls would put up one more point in the quarter, with Autrey Hannum gaining a free throw.

The game continued into the third quarter with a 20-point lead for the Trotters. The points flowed freely as Holmes, Thompson, and Phillips put up points. Kimberly Earhart continued helping the Trotters by putting in two baskets back to back.

In an effort to close the gap, Beckman shot back with two points.

The quarter ended 41-10 with the Trotters in the lead.

The fourth quarter kicked off with Carley VonHeeder making a point. Madison Fitchett shot right back making two and Trotter Holmes continued to chip in.

The Lady Hawks fought long and hard to close the gap but in the end it wasn’t enough. Plains took the victory 47 to 18.

Plains Head Coach Griffin said the girls played well against Thompson Falls.

“It was kind of a slow start but our defense was pretty good for the most part,” Coach Griffin said. “The first half really helped in winning that game.”

He credited Philips, Thompson and Demi Horton for a strong game.

“When (Philips) has it in her mind to be active and go for it, it makes all of us better,” he said. He continued on to say Horton is continually improving throughout the season as well.

His girls put out a solid performance but according to Griffin the game did not go exactly according to plan.

“The outcome was not what I expected. I expected Thompson Falls would be somebody to watch out for but we got in place pretty well,” Coach Griffin said.

The Lady Hawks played Eureka on Saturday. The girls came back as a solid front and won the game 65-59.

Beckman was the lead scorer bringing in 17 points, followed by Shey Hannum with 10. Both Erica Sorlie and Padden brought in nine points, followed by Autrey Hannum with six points. Hailey Wilson had five points; Gilian Nelson had four points; Fitchett had three and Madi Wheeler brought in two points.

As the week progressed, Plains then went on to play Hot Springs where the Trotters took a 41-9 victory. Coach Griffin said the girls played on their heels although they could have included a little more intensity.

“They need to be more selfish and take more shots instead of always passing. When they learn that, it is going to be huge,” Coach Griffin said.

Although he admitted to being nitpicky, Coach Griffin just wants the girls to be the best that they can be.

The girls will face Ronan on Thursday and Whitefish on Saturday at two home games. The goal before the games is to get the girls a little more confidence.

“I’m trying to get the girls to believe in themselves,” Coach Griffin said.

As for Thompson Falls, the ladies will compete against Libby on Thursday in a home game and will then go on to fight against Bigfork on Friday.

Head Coach Courtney Griffin was unavailable at the time of press.