Game decided in fourth quarter
<p>Logan Beckman of the Thompson Falls Lady Hawks shoots against the Plains Trotters in Thursday night's game.</p>
The game between the Plains Trotters and Thompson Falls Lady Hawks was a close match throughout the night. Eventually, in the fourth quarter the two teams were neck and neck, but a few key plays allowed the Trotters to pull ahead.
In the first quarter it was a game of free throws and balls being lost. The Trotters scored two points first, but the Hawks were quick to respond with their first two points. The quarter continued with each team scoring quickly, each after the other. Thompson Falls defense was strong, and Plains lost a couple of drives by losing control or miscommunication. Each team scored the majority of their points from free throws. At the end of the first quarter, Plains only lead Thompson Falls with a two point lead, 8-6.
As the game continued into the second quarter, the only scores consistently made were from free throws. The Hawk’s defense remained strong, and the Trotters could not make a drive to score any points. Only a few free throws allowed Plains to keep a lead. Near the middle of the second quarter the score was Plains 14, Thompson Falls 8.
During the last half of the second quarter the Trotters started to slow up and Thompson Falls started to score more free throws, while Plains started to miss free throws and fail in drives to score much needed points. At a 1:41 left on the clock it was tied up at 17-17.
At the end of the first half, the Trotters missed a possible four points from free throws and the Hawks led the way with 20 points, Trotters with 19.
In the third quarter both teams began making key drives and scoring. In the beginning each traded control of the board, but Plains eventually took the lead. Thompson Falls was leading 22-21, when Plains scored five points, switching the lead, and from there on they stayed in front. Then Plains made its hardest drive of the night, and scored a succession of three pointers, two pointers and free throws, which allowed them to finish the third quarter leading Thompson Falls by 12 points at 41-29.
It looked like the Trotters had it in the bag, but then the Hawks started to put points on the board and soon the last quarter became a battle to the end. Thompson Falls eventually got within reach of overtaking Plains and closed the gap to where Plains only led by four points, with 1:50 left on the clock. Thompson Falls had momentum and it looked like there might be an upset. Plains eventually scored, and climbed to 45 points, five points ahead of Thompson Falls. Then the Hawks scored again. With half a minute left, the fight continued, but neither team scored and the final count was 45-42, Plains taking the win.
After the game, Coach Griffin said, “We gotta have more energy... So inconsistent.” describing the roller coaster night of making successful drives and then falling behind. He said that the team can’t just play well in six minutes near the end, but must play consistently well throughout the game, and that if they did they would be a formidable team.