Flathead takes Plains

It was not a good start of the season for the Plains Horsemen or Trotters, but the coaches are confident their players will turn things around.

The Horsemen and Trotters both fell to Flathead Valley Friday at home, but both games were close enough to go either way right to the end buzzer. The Flathead Valley Crusaders and Lady Crusaders both walked away with victories, defeating the Horsemen 54-50 and the Trotters 32-20.

"I thought the boys played hard and did some great things; however, I also saw some things we need to work out in practice," said Tyrel Allen, head coach for the Horsemen. "To be better for the next game and into the season, we really need to focus on blocking out with purpose and limiting silly turnovers," he said. Allen also said they had more than 20 team turnovers, but hopes to limit that to no more than a dozen.

The game began with senior Horseman Darren Standeford scoring from beneath the hoop 30 seconds into the game. It wasn't long before the Crusaders scored and took the lead. Wyatt Butcher tied things up, followed by two consecutive baskets by Zayden Allen to put Plains back in front by four points and then another Allen hit for a 10-7 score. But by the end of the first quarter, Flathead Valley led 11-10 and by halftime the Crusaders led 25-21.

Horseman Kort Craft hit his target early in the third, followed by Standeford. With just under three minutes in the quarter, the game was tied 30-30. Butcher, Allen and Standeford scored late in the third to give Plains a 37-36 lead at the end of the quarter.

Twenty seconds into the fourth saw Butcher with a successful layup. Flathead came right back, but so did Standeford to keep the Horsemen up front. With just over five minutes in the game Butcher planted a long three-pointer for a four-point lead. But then the Crusaders scored eight points in a row to take a 48-44 lead. Standeford tied things at 50 apiece with just under two minutes to go, but Flathead pulled ahead for the victory.

Standeford led the team with 14 points, followed by Allen with 13 and Butcher with 12. Standeford also led with 12 rebounds. "It was fun, exciting, and what the group needed, in order to see the small details we need to work out going forward," said Allen. "I have really high expectations for this senior heavy team. My trio of guards - Zay, Darren and Wyatt have loads of varsity experience and I believe we will be able to be very competitive all season," he added.

The Lady Crusaders drew first blood against the Trotters, but Emelia Rivinius and Katelyn Subatch scored to tie the game 4-4. Flathead Valley managed to pull ahead and by the end of the first quarter had a three-point lead.

The Lady Crusaders spread the gap in the second. Plains fought back with baskets by Jaycee Carr and Hayden Rice, but Flathead had a 18-6 lead at halftime. Trystan Larsen struck first in the third, followed by Rivinius and Ava Lawyer to put Plains only six behind. Flathead widened the gap again. A three-pointer from the side by Larsen put Plains only five behind. Aubree Butcher also nabbed a three-point shot, but the Lady Crusaders kept up the pressure and by the end of the third had a 23-18 lead.

Lawyer put one in immediately in the fourth for a three-point deficit, but again the Crusaders found their marks and the game ended with Flathead winning 32-20.

Larsen was the Trotters leading scorer with five. Lawyer, Rivinius and Butcher had four apiece. "I thought we played with lots of effort and for the most part our defense was very solid," said Trotter head coach Brooks Sanford, who felt they rebounded well. "We struggled to make shots and their height in the paint seemed to bother us. We need to value possessions and limit turnovers," he said. However, he felt their overall effort was very good. "Once we settle in offensively, our shot-making ability will improve," he said.

The junior varsity boys beat the Flathead Valley JV team 38-22, but the Trotters JV team lost 51-12. The Horsemen and Trotters face Two Eagle River on Friday at home and travel to Troy on Saturday. They go against Hot Springs there on Tuesday, Dec. 17.