Whitefish Basketball Teams Split East-West Tip-Off Tourney

The Whitefish Basketball teams were in Butte, over the weekend, taking part in the East-West Tip-Off Tournament.

Both teams would go 1-1 over the weekend with the Boys defeating Sydney while the girls won against Dawson County.

Friday:

Both teams opened up the tournament with a double header against Glendive.

The Bulldog boys took to the hardwood first, facing off with one of the best teams from a year ago (Dawson County made it to State) and gave the Red Devils a game.

Whitefish would trail by 1 at the end of the first, found themselves down double digits early in the second but an Aiden Rickels halftime buzzer beater pulled the Dawgs within 6 at the half. Whtiefish trailed at the intermission 39-33.

Whitefish came out firing in the third as the Dawgs knocked down a trio of 3's and trailed by just 3, 57-54, heading into fourth.

Early in the 4th, Aiden Rickels tied up the game with a big three and the Dawgs were locked with the Red Devils at 61 all with about 6 minutes to play. That's when Glendive went on a run and closed it out, taking the contest 80-69.

Whitefish was led by Will Sisson wtih 21 points while Finn Ryan added 11. Aiden Rickels added 9 and Drew Queen had 8 off the bench.

Glendive was led by Ethan Rivas who had 33 points.

In the nightcap, the Whitefish girls battled it out against the Lady Red Devils.

The girls would lead 13-7 after one quarter and held a double digit lead early in the 1st half. Dawson County roared back and the Lady Dawgs took a 25-24 lead into the halftime break.

The Whitefish girls would hold strong and held a 37-32 lead after three.

In the fourth, the Lady Dawgs would put the game away at the Free Throw line. Whitefish went 8-10 at the line in the final frame.

The play of the game was Allie Shors showing her veteran leadership as just a Sophomore. With about 45 seconds to go in the game Shors passed up a wide open shot that allowed Whitefish to burn another 16 seconds of clock and sealed it with Free Throws. Whitefish won 54-50.

Avery Orme, the Freshman, led the way for Whitefish with an early season/career high 23 points. Shors added 17.

Saturday:

On the second day of action both teams would be matched-up with the Sydney Eagles.

The Boys, falling the heartbreaker on Friday, were determined against Sydney. Whitefish would lead early and often in this one. The Dawgs led at the end of the first, 21-15.

Whitefish would extend the lead in the 2nd quarter and held onto a 10-point advantage at the half, 44-34.

Sydney would bounce-back in the 3rd outscoring the Dawgs by 6 and Whitefish's lead was cut down to 54-50 after 3.

Whitefish would pull away in the 4th as Aiden Rickels knocked down a pair of 3's while Will Sisson had 8 in the frame and the Dawgs came away with a quality 71-60 win.

Rickels and Sisson combined to score 41 of the teams 71. Sisson had 24 while Rickels added 17. Jayke Thew added 11 points and multiple steals.

Sydney was led by Gradin Sukut with 17.

In the girls game, the Lady Dawgs found themselves in another battle.

Foul trouble would doom the girls in this one.

It was a high scoring first quarter as the Lady Dawgs led 24-19 after one, but Avery Orme picked up 3 early fouls and didn't see the floor for the rest of the half.

After comibing for 43 1st quarter points the teams combined for just 18 2nd quarter points and Whitefish held a 33-28 lead at the intermission.

Allie Shors would pick up 2 fouls early in the 3rd and had to sit out the majority of the quarter. Sydney took advantage and would win the quarter. Whitefish had a slim 48-46 lead heading into the final frame.

Shors returned in the 4th quarter and scored 9 of the team's first 11 points before fouling out. Just a few plays later, Orme would foul out.

Later in the quarter, Reese Hudson would foul out as well.

The Lady Eagles took over and capitalized, scoring 23 in the 4th to win it 69-62.

Whitefish had twice as many turnovers as Sydney in this one and was called for twice as many fouls.

Both Shors and Hudson would drop in 20 each, in the contes.

Jessica Entz led the way for Sydney with 32. She was 14-14 from the free throw line.

Following the weekend's action, both Whitefish Basketball teams sit at 3-2 on the season.

Up Next: Both teams are off from games until the New Year.

Whitefish returns to action Thursday January 8th when they open conference play against Libby.

The Girls will be home with the boys on the road. Catch the girls game live on the airwaves.

There's three ways to listen:

Tune into 102.7FM and 1240AM on that radio dial.

Listen online at 1027outlaw.com.

Stream live on the Free 1027 Outlaw Mobile App.