Trojans collar Lynx, take steps toward district’s top spots
DRUMMOND – Both Lincoln teams came to Drummond seeking their first shot at a District 13C title in a long, long time.
By the time the buzzer sounded, they were decidedly disappointed.
The Trojan boys started the night with a decisive 79-59 win over the Lynx, followed by the Lady Trojans beating the visitors by 22 in the night cap.
In the boys varsity game, Drummond jumped out to a 20-8 lead in the first quarter with a persistent offensive threat and a tough defensive effort.
In the second the Lynx showed more of what was reported to be the #10 ranked team in the state, outscoring the Trojans 17-16. Drummond led by 11 at intermission and out-paced the visitors 23-20 in the third.
But in the fourth quarter the Trojans kept the heat and Lincoln withered as the hosts ran it out to a 20-point victory.
When asked about the aspirations for his team’s play and where he thinks they should be, DHS Boys Head Coach Levi Parsons was pleased with the Trojans’ progression.
“It was pretty close,” observed Parsons. “They make it hard to notice because they play basketball so well, and have such a high basketball IQ, because they are so used to playing with each other and very talented. But we’re still not getting into the offense all the time and their patience isn’t always the greatest.
“But they played very well tonight.”
Scott Parke (19) and Trey Phillips (18) combined for 37 points, with Parke adding 10 rebounds and five assists. Phillips had six boards and two blocked shots. Teammate Brody Rasor chipped in eight points and a team-best none assists.
Junior Dalton Suthers, who was celebrating his birthday Friday, scored 11 points off the bench.
The Lynx were led by Kaden Tybo with 17 points.
Drummond improves to 4-0 in district play and has a leg up on 5-1 Lincoln in the standings. The Lynx hold the tie-breaker over the Trojans, and so the locals will need another victory over the Lynx in Lincoln Tuesday to secure No. 1 seed going into the District 13C tournament starting February 15 in Frenchtown.
Before Tuesday’s rematch, Drummond will play Valley Christian in Missoula Saturday.
BOYS SCORING
Lincoln – 8/17/20/14 – 59
Drummond – 20/16/23/20 – 79
Lincoln – Brown 14, Dempster 2, KTybo 17, Ard 3, Dietz 6, TTybo 6, Jakushak 11
Drummond – Rasor 8, Parke 19, James 5, Graveley 8, Suthers 11, Phillips 18, Goettle 5, Dunkerson 5
Girls Varsity
In posting a 46-24 win over Lincoln, the Lady Trojans put themselves firmly in the middle of the discussion for the No. 1 spot in District 13C play.
The victory improved Drummond to 3-1, with Granite advancing to 5-1 after a blowout of Seeley Swan (51-11). Lincoln’s Loss drops then to 4-2. Assuming that they beat the other three teams on their way to the finish line, if Drummond can beat the Lynx Tuesday in Lincoln it sets up a Granite County clash of teams battling for first place Friday night in Drummond.
The Lady Trojans were led by Kimber Parsons and Remington Cline in the opening stanza, scoring all 13 points for their squad against nine for the Lady Lynx. Drummond turned up the defensive pressure in the second, holding Lincoln to just two free throws by Jordan Zarske while tacking on another 11 of their own to lead 24-11 at halftime.
“There are some things I liked and some things that the girls and I picked up on that saw that need fixing,” said DHS Girls Head Logan Wilson. “We starting jogging on some of our cuts and stood a little flat footed, but it just goes to show you what this group of girls are capable of. If we’re able to play at 60% speed and win a game like this, there’s no ceiling for these girls.”
Parsons finished with a game high 19 points, while Cline scored 17.
Zarske and teammate Makenna Copehaver had six apiece for Lincoln.
In a junior varsity half-game, Lincoln beat Drummond 15-9.
Sawyer Hessler led the locals with four points.
GIRLS SCORING
Lincoln – 9/2/6/7 – 24
Drummond – 13/11/7/15 – 46
Lincoln – Dempster 2, Brown 4, Zarske 6, MCopenhaver 6, Dietz 4, KCopenhaver 2
Drummond – Parsons 19, Nelson 2, RCline 17, HSawfer 3, CCline 5
