Lady Prospectors pressed into opening round loss at Divisional

DEER LODGE – Manhattan Christian got the upper hand on Granite during a 20-12 third quarter run that lifted them to a 48-37 win in the opening game of the MHSA Class C Western Divisional Tournament.

The loss drops the Lady Prospectors into the consolation bracket where they will face Twin Bridges Thursday morning at 8 a.m. A loss in that game would exit them from the event.

Meanwhile, the Eagles advance to the semifinals against Charlo at 6:30 p.m.

Granite opened the game playing point for point with Manhattan. By the time halftime rolled around, the Lady Prospectors held a 19-18 lead.

Into the third period the locals led by as much as seven, but a timeout midway through the period by Eagle Head Coach Jeff Bellach shifted the momentum. Manhattan reeled off a string of points that left them 38-31 as the period ended.

“We just needed to slow down against their press in the third,” said GHS Head Coach Brandon Piazolla. “We tried to force some stuff and it led to easy points for Christian”

Manhattan secured the win outscoring Granite 10-6 in the fourth.

Reece Pitcher led the Lady Prospectors with 11 points while Asha Comings added 10.

SCORING

Granite – 7/12/12/6 – 37

Manhattan Christian – 11/7/20/10 – 48

Granite – AHill 2, Cotton 2, Ward 7, Pitcher 11, Lilyquist 2, GHill 3, Comings 10

Manhattan Christian – Devries 3, Kenney 4, Kuperus 7, VanKirk 12, Bellach 10, Aamot 6, Walnof 6

NOTE – Due to a system update initiated by Pixellot, the NFHS was unable to broadcast or record the game. Sources indicate that the issue should be corrected and ready for games Thursday morning.