Plains Trotters fight in State Tournament
<p>Sami Kinzie drives against Columbus defender Kayla Rouanne during loser out action at the Class B state tournament in Great Falls.</p>
GREAT FALLS – The Plains Trotters traveled to Great Falls last week to take part in the State B Girls’ Basketball Tournament.
The Trotters battled their way to a second place finish at the western divisional tournament in Kalispell, in late February to earn their spot in the state competition in Cascade County.
In their opening game of the tournament the Trotters faced off against the Forsyth Dogies, the winners of Class B’s southern division.
The Trotters were unable to start the tournament with a win, dropping the game to Forsyth by a score of 60-39.
Plains kept pace with the Dogies in the first half and after scoring four points in the game’s opening quarter, the Trotters put up 13 points in the second frame to send the game to halftime with the score 25-17, in favor of Forsyth.
The Trotters were unable to convert many of their offensive opportunities from the floor, going 15 for 44 from the field on shooting attempts.
Forsyth built off their lead in the second half, outscoring Plains 20-14 in the third quarter and 15-8 in the fourth quarter to win the opener.
Junior forward Carley VonHeeder, who ended the tournament opener with 11 points, led the Trotters offense against Forsyth.
The Trotters were still alive in the tournament and were matched up to play the Columbus Cougars last Friday.
The elimination game tipped off at noon and both team’s proved they were not interested in ending their season as the game went to overtime with the score tied up 40-40 at the end of regulation.
Despite the close finish, Columbus gained the early advantage after one quarter of play, going up 9-1.
Plains roared back in the second quarter, outscoring the Cougars 12-11 to send the game to the half with Columbus up 20-13.
In the second half’s opening quarter Columbus appeared to be distancing themselves from the Trotters and the fourth quarter started with Plains trailing by nine points.
However, the Trotter’s offense rallied back inthe fourth quarter, outscoring the Cougars 23-14 to equalize the score before the end of regulations, forcing overtime.
The game’s one and only overtime quarter was a hard fought frame, with Columbus narrowly edging past the Trotters, scoring five points to Plains four, to move on in the tournament.
Senior guard Sami Kinzie led the Trotters offense against Columbus with 11 points.
Senior forward Hailey Phillips also had a big day on offense, ending the team’s postseason finale with 10 points.