Game decided with seconds left on the clock
<p>Dalton Hooten takes a jump shot during Thursday night's game in Thompson Falls.</p>
THOMPSON FALLS - Thursday night’s game between the Thompson Falls Bluehawks and the Eureka Lions was determined in the last 15 seconds, a point that was a hard fight to get to, and no one saw coming.
The Hawks scored the first two points in the first quarter and held the lead the entire quarter except for a minute stretch near the end. At the 2:00 minute mark, the two teams tied, but with just 54 seconds left on the clock, the Hawks scored, finishing the first quarter in the lead 8 to 6.
The Hawks controlled the court the first half of the second quarter, jumping from eight points to 16 points. Eureka had only scored two points. Then the Hawks opponents picked up speed and closed the gap, coming within three points of Eureka by the end of the quarter. The score at half-time was 22 to 19.
Returning from the locker room, Eureka looked determined to change the tide and that is just what they did in the third quarter. In the first few minutes of the third, Eureka tied with the Hawks, then the Hawks quickly jumped ahead, but not for long. Eureka overtook the Hawks and led the way for the rest of the third quarter. It did not look good for the Hawks who’s score was 31, Eureka with 38.
It began to look like the game was going to go to Eureka in the beginning of the fourth quarter. Eureka scored first, but lost their drive and the Hawks eventually overtook their opponents and led the way 45 to 40 by the halfway point. Then Eureka came from behind and with 15 seconds on the clock, scored, making the score, Hawks 49, Eureka 50. The last drive of the night went to the Hawks. They had to score. They got the ball down court, made a set and with just a second left on the clock, Trais Hoisington scored two points. The final score was 51 to 50. The gymnasium erupted and the Hawks all began hugging and congratulating each other.
Coach Michelson said the game was a, “barn burner,” and, “a feel good win.”
In Columbia Falls, Saturday, during the 7-B tournament, the Hawks played against Big Fork. The Hawks fell to Big Fork, but took the no. 2 seed out of the 7-B at the divisional.
Trais Hoisington was the top scorer for the Hawks, scoring 19 points. Dillon Vaught scored eight points and Tanner Laws scored six points.
Coach Michelson said that despite the loss, the upcoming divisional, “Should be a lot of fun... and nice to play some new teams.”