Browning beats Bulldogs in semis

RONAN – Riley Spoonhunter scored 27 points, 18 in the first half, and Browning cruised to a 68-39 semifinal win over Whitefish at the Western A Divisional Friday.

The Indians, 16-4, advanced to Saturday’s 6:30 p.m. championship against Frenchtown (18-3). The Broncs beat Butte Central 49-33 in the other semifinal.

In loser-out action Polson (12-8) ousted Ronan (7-13) 65-55 and Hamilton beat Dillon 52-32.

Whitefish (8-13) faces Polson in a loser-out game at 9:30 a.m. The winner advances to the consolation and earns a spot at the State A tournament in Bozeman March 12-14. The Western A sends its top four teams to state.

Browning 16 21 19 12 - 68

Whitefish 7 10 14 13 - 39

BROWNING (16-4) – Blayne DeRoche 16, Cody Carlson 3, Joseph Bullshoe 4, Riley Spoonhunter 27, Jordan Calf Looking 4, Chris Reems 2, Ty Shay Bear Medicine 2, Justin Byrd 5, Deion Mad Plume 2, Riley Cromwell 2, Latrell Bull Child 1.

WHITEFISH (8-13) – Fynn Ridgeway 4, Bodie Smith 6, Marvin Kimera 2, Sam Menicke 5, Barrett Scott 2, Talon Holmqist 9, Jayce Cripe 11.

Western A Divisional

Ronan

(4 teams advance to State)

Thursday

Frenchtown 48, Polson 39

Butte Central 56, Ronan 30

Whitefish 49, Hamilton 42

Browning 67, Dillon 59

Friday

Polson 65, Ronan 55, loser-out

Hamilton 52, Dillon 32, loser-out

Frenchtown 49, Butte Central 33, semifinal

Browning 68, Whitefish 39, semifinal

Saturday

9:30 a.m. — Polson (12-8) vs. Whitefish (8-13), loser-out

9:30 a.m. — Butte Central (16-4) vs. Hamilton (16-4), loser-out

3:30 p.m. — Morning winners, consolation

6:30 p.m. — Frenchtown (18-3) vs. Browning (16-4), championship