Lady Hawks begin playoffs

by Alex Violo/Valley Press
| February 25, 2015 7:07 PM

BIGFORK – The Thompson Falls Lady Hawks began their postseason campaign against the Bigfork Valkyries in the District 7-B semifinals in Bigfork.

The no. 3 seeded Lady Hawks jumped out to an early lead over the no. 2 seeded Bigfork girls, leading the contest 15-8 after one quarter of play.

Though Bigfork’s offense responded in the second quarter, Thompson Falls kept up the pressure and outscored Bigfork 14-13 to take a 29-21 lead into halftime.

However, in the second half the Bigfork offense responded with a surge, going on a 13-3 run to start the third quarter and take the lead 34-32 over Thompson Falls.

The Valkyries kept up the pressure in the game’s final quarter outscoring the Lady Hawks 15-7 to secure the hard fought ten point win.

Sophomore Autrey Hannum, who scored 16 points against Bigfork, led the Lady Hawks offense.

Junior Shey Hannum was also a big part of the Lady Hawk offense, ending the game with eight points.

Thompson Falls moved to the consolation bracket and matched up against the Troy Lady Trojans last Saturday in Columbia Falls.

The District 7-B Consolation Game was deadlocked in its early stages, but as the game progressed the Lady Hawks were able to gain momentum and seize third place in the district.

After a 5-5 split in the game’s opening quarter, the Lady Hawks offense took control of the game in the second quarter, outscoring Troy 12-2 to send the game to halftime with the score 17-7 in favor of the Lady Hawks.

Troy rebounded in the second half, outscoring the Lady Hawks 13-11 in the third quarter to narrow the Lady Hawks lead to 28-20 at the start of the game’s final quarter.

The Lady Hawks were able to halt the Troy rally, outscoring their opponents 15-12 in the fourth to finish off the 11-point win.

Thompson Falls senior Logan Beckman led the Lady Hawk offense with 14 points during the consolation game.

Lady Hawks freshman Lindsay Laws added eight points, with A. Hannum and S. Hannum also scoring eight points against Troy.

Thompson Falls will advance to next week’s Western B Divisional Tournament as a no. 3 seed.

The tournament is scheduled to begin in Kalispell on Wednesday, Feb. 25 at Flathead High School.