Lady Vikings drop challenge

MISSOULA - Even without one of its top seniors, the Charlo girls' basketball team still came close to advancing to state.

Charlo lost to Twin Bridges in the championship game, forcing a challenge game against Drummond on Monday night. In the title game, senior Jaris Kelley tore her ACL and sat out of the extra game.

Head coach Bret Thompson said the game was a battle of defense.

"It was lots of defense, not a lot of offense," he said.

The game was tied after the first quarter but Drummond excelled to a three-point lead at the half.

The Trojans started the second half with a 9-4 run, but Charlo was never more than four points behind.

"It was a close game," Thompson said. "It went right down to the wire."

Charlo managed eight points in the fourth, but it wasn't enough as the Vikings season ended with a 31-24 loss.

Sophomore Kinley Pope led with nine points and went 5-for-6 at the free throw line. Freshman Rachel Hoyt added five.

"It's hard when you lose," Thompson said. "Especially when they all played hard."

The Vikings started the tournament with a 49-39 win over Harrison/Willow Creek. Charlo held a lead after every quarter behind a huge offensive night for Kelley.

"Jaris had a big night," Thompson said. "She made some big baskets."

Kelley went 4-for-4 at the line and netted a total of 25 points, 15 coming from five 3-point shots.

The Vikings had a 38-26 lead in the fourth before the Wildcats started a late rally, cutting the lead to one.

Charlo countered by scoring the last eight points of the game.

Pope added 10 and Maughan went 3-for-4 at the line.

In the semifinal game, Charlo beat White Sulphur Springs 32-27. After a two-point lead, the Vikings found themselves down by one at the half.

"Offensively, we struggled a little," Thompson said.

A 13-point third quarter vaulted Charlo into the lead and Kelley hit two free throws at the end to secure the win.

Pope led Charlo with 12 points.

In the championship game, the Vikings struggled to get the ball over half court, Thompson said.

"We would play tough and they would turn around and get an easy [basket]," he said.

The Vikings trailed 28-10 at the half before losing 56-26.

"We didn't score," Thompson said.

Maughan made all three of Charlo's 3-point shots and Blevins led with 12 points.

Charlo ended the season 19-6 and will graduate three seniors, who will be missed, Thompson said.

"They are the ones that keep the young girls in line," he said.