Bulldogs, Lady Bulldogs lay foundation for the future
MISSION HIGH School’s Isaac Alexander penetrates against the Anaconda Thursday night at Hamilton High School.
MISSION FORWARD Ran’Dee Charlo takes the basketball to the hoop in transition against Deer Lodge in the second half of Thursday night’s Western Class 6B Tournament at Hamilton High School.
MISSION HIGH School coach Gus McDonald and his Bulldogs team cheer each other on as they took a third quarter lead against Anaconda Thursday night at Hamilton High School. (Photos by Jason Blasco/Lake County Leader)
McDonald built his team with the idea that they could win and play come tournament time. During McDonald’s sophomore season as a Bulldog, his team was able to make it to the District championship game and qualify for state when very little was expected of them in the 2003-2004 campaign.
According to McDonald, all season he saw a sharp contrast between his 2003-2004 team and this team, and emphasized tournament time is a different game.
McDonald’s team bought into his program and during tournament time, they had the unenviable task of facing the hottest team the Anaconda Copperheads in the first round of the Western Class 6B Tournament Thursday at Hamilton High School.
Mission lost to Anaconda 68-63 and lost their second game to 50-32 to conclude its season but according to McDonald, he couldn’t be prouder of the foundation his team is beginning to build as he concludes his first season as a head coach.
“Our team came out and just played their hearts out before got we into the tournament,” McDonald said. “I told them to go out and leave it all on the court. There were some things that didn’t go our way and that really took away our momentum (in the game).”
One area the team did better in was limited its turnovers, according to McDonald.
“We were able to slow things down,” McDonald said. “Things started to turn on us (towards the end of the third quarter) and there were a couple of missed free throws That was a major part of that game. We only shot about 59 percent from the free throw line. We have to be at about 70 percent or better and it showed up in the final score.”
McDonald credited his team for making several strides this year and working really hard. McDonald said his seniors Leondre Bolen, Beedo Matt, Elijah Cahoon, Isaac Alexander, and Korbyn Pierre were all contributors to building the Bulldogs’ program.
“Our seniors left everything out on the floor and for those younger guys, they gave us someone to look up to,” McDonald said. “That is the biggest thing that you have going into the tournament. Yeah, those two will sting at the end of it but I had to tell my guys that they have to remember that moment and next year we will have a super Divisional. We going to be in the top contention and mixing it in. It was hard to watch my seniors play their last game. I love them to death and they gave everything to me from day one.”
The Bulldogs were led in the Florence loss by Wacey McClure with 11, Isaac Alexander with six, Flint McPherson with three, and Leondre Bolen and Beedo Matt with two points each.
Lady Bulldogs fall in two
The Mission Lady Bulldogs lost two consecutive games to be eliminated from the Western Class 6B Tournament Thursday through Saturday at Hamilton High School.
“It was the funnest game that we’ve had all season,” Lady Bulldogs Coach Jen Brander said. “We had three lead changes and three ties and the coach mentioned she pulled her aside during a free throw in the second quarter and told her to channel her emotions into the game. She looked away, took a deep breath and boy did she play a game of basketball. I knew she had potential to take control of the game, and I’m glad it worked out this season.”
The Lady Bulldogs challenged the favorite Loyola Sacred Heart team in the consolation bracket loss 68-62 that ended their season.
Their 24 points in the fourth quarter wasn’t enough for the Lady Bulldogs.
The Lady Bulldogs’ Karolyna Buck led the team with a season high 31 points. Other contributors include Leila Marsh with eight points, Nalani Linsbigler with six, Bryar McCrea with five, Afton Brander with four, Courtney Mitchell four, and Addison Arlint with two in the losing effort.
The Lady Bulldogs were defeated by Deer Lodge in the opening round of the touranment 65-31 Thursday at Hamilton High School.
Mission found themselves down 35-13 to Deer Lodge at halftime and never recovered from trailing.
Mission was led by Nalani Linsebigler who scored seven points, Ran’Dee Charlo and Leila Marsh scored six, Karolyna Buck and Addison Arlint scored five, and Bryar McCrea finished with two in the loss.