Thompson Falls wins rivalry game with Plains
NATHAN SCHRAEDER (3) scores a layup last Friday night against Plains. (John Dowd/Clark Fork Valley Press)
TUCKER FOSTER (40) prepares to pass the ball last Friday night during the Thompson Falls-Plains game. (John Dowd/Clark Fork Valley Press)
RYAN SCHRAEDER (4) scores for Thompson Falls. (John Dowd/Clark Fork Valley Press)
The Thompson Falls boys basketball team entered Friday’s game against county rival winless, but the Bluehawks left it with their first win.
The Bluehawks were 0-4 before routing the Horsemen, 67-48.
“We were on a pretty good losing streak to Plains, so that digs at them,” said head coach Jake Mickelson. “Plains is a good basketball team, obviously that wasn’t their best game. They are going to be a much better team to look for. I feel lucky that we caught them on a night like we did.”
Thompson Falls came in strong starting the game off with a 3-point shot by Nathan Schraeder, who followed it up with a 2-point basket to make it 5-0.
In the second quarter a layup from Plains’ Kade Pardee cut down Thompson Falls’ lead and Plains started to dig their heels in, however it was to no avail as the Bluehawks steamed on, taking a 38-18 lead at halftime.
Justin Morgan hit from long range twice as the Bluehawks grabbed a 43-20 lead.
The Bluehawks kept up the high energy and near the end of the fourth quarter Ethan Brown scored, assisted by Morgan, pushing the score to 67-44. Plains fought hard in the last quarter, with a short four-point-run, ending with a buzzer beater by Tristan Subatch to make it 67-48.
“We feel like we haven’t played up to the level that we can,” Mickelson said. “Mostly it was just our energy, we were flat. I thought we started to turn the corner two games ago. I think our energy has been good the last three games and it was just nice to finally get over the top and get a win. For the boys, I mean that’s just a huge relief. It’s eye opening to them to see that if we put in the time and play hard there is going to be results like this.
Thompson Falls plays at Mission Thursday then at Eureka Saturday.