Lady Hawks: 52, Bigfork: 85; Lady Hawks: 48, Whitefish: 63
<p><strong>Gillian Nelson evades a Libby player during a game earlier this season.</strong></p>
THOMPSON FALLS – In the Lady Hawks’ games last week, against Bigfork and Whitefish, the team played a strong game but factors beyond their control lead to defeats in both.
The final score against Bigfork was 52-85 to Bigfork. Head Coach Doree Thilimony recalled the game started very close with the Lady Hawks keeping fairly tight. However, in the fourth quarter the home team came out of nowhere and brought in a massive 34 points.
“Anything they put up went in,” said Thilimony, recalling how they got a number of three-point shots.
The Thompson Falls girls retaliated as best they could, trying to block them with defensive plays, but it was not enough. Thilimony felt they needed to work on playing harder defense, but noted they scored the highest number of points this season with three players reaching double digit scoring.
Shey Hannum led the team, bringing in 16 points, also getting 12 rebounds, a steal, an assist and a block. Hailey Wilson claimed 14 points for the Lady Hawks as well as five rebounds, three assists, a steal and a block.
When the Lady Hawks went to Whitefish, they came away with another loss with a final score of 48-63. Thilimony said they played very well at first; early in the game, the Lady Hawks were up by 10 points. In the second quarter, though, Whitefish came out with a 20 point lead thanks to a particularly strong guard.
“We had trouble adjusting to her,” the coach said.
There were also challenges on the girls since they only had one sub. Two members of the team are currently out on injury and did not play in the game. The limited ability to rest made it hard for the girls to keep playing.
Thilimony felt they did their best, though, and it was all she could ask of them under the circumstances.
Hannum led the team again with 23 points, 12 rebounds, a steal and a block. Linsay Laws scored 14 points and also got three rebounds with seven assists.
During practices, the team plans to work on their defensive plays. Thilimony said the defense was more important than some give it credit for and it can influence how the teams match up.
This week, Thompson Falls Plains and Libby. Thilimony said Plains was always a good team who worked hard and were scrappy; she felt it would be a good game for the girls and community.
For Libby, though, she said they would be looking for revenge. During their last game, just before Christmas Break, Thompson Falls only scored 26 points; now they average in the 40s, so it is expected to be a tough rematch.