Hawks Still Undefeated In Conference Play

The Hawk boys team played three games last week, including two conference games and a unique game against Upton, Wyoming, at the college in Gillette on Saturday.

On Thursday the team traveled to Custer to face Custer/Hysham, an up and coming team in the conference which Broadus Coach Mike Richards tells us is very well coached, adding in a Monday interview: "They are a tough team, and did a great job on defense against us. Custer/Hysham is also very patient on offense and eats up a lot of clock."

Broadus went into the locker room at the half tied 22-22, but were able to pull away in the fourth quarter to win 53-31.

"Our defense and steals really helped seal the win in that game," Richards added. Broadus had 14 steals as a team, with Marcus Mader leading in that category with 4.

An additional factor in the Broadus win was their poise under pressure, resulting in zero free throw opportunities for Custer/Hysham, as Broadus only racked up six total fouls on the night.

Dillon Gee led the Hawks in scoring with 26 points, provided the bulk of points for the Hawks offense, with Tytan Hanson adding 9 points.

On Friday Broadus played their final home game of the season, meaning the Hawk seniors and their parents were honored with a photo opportunity and gifts distributed by the cheerleaders prior to game time.

The Hawks had previously beaten Jordan 61-45 earlier in the year, and looked to repeat the performance this time in front of a home crowd. Jordan kept the score close through the first half of the first quarter, but from then on the Hawks controlled the court, going into the half up 36-28, and pulling ahead in the second half to win 76-52.

Broadus scored 1.23 points per possession in the win, one of their highest percentages of the year. Jordan kept the score relatively close with three point scoring, sinking 9 of 21 for a 43% hit rate, while Broadus only made 2 of 9 for 22% from behind the arc.

Dillon Gee had another big night with 30 points, 12 rebounds, 4 assists, 2 steals, and 2 blocks. Tytan Hanson had 15 points, and Marcus Mader and Wyatt Gee each added 9, while Marcus also had 7 assists.

Dawson Murnion of Jordan went 4 of 6 from three point range, scoring 18 points total.

With two more conference wins under their belts, Broadus traveled to Gillette on Saturday. According to Coach Richards, the impetus behind the game against Wyoming's defending Class 1A champ Upton team was brought about as a result of talking to Butch Samuelson, former Broadus teacher.

Butch's nephew, Joe Samuelson just happens to coach at Upton, and Butch knew the Upton team was looking for some better competition, as they were currently sitting at 14-1, with their only loss coming to the Faith, South Dakota team.

When Mike learned this fact, he jumped at the chance to play a talented team, and with the help of Kade Rumph (another former PR County resident), the game was booked at the Pronghorn Center, which is the gym at Gillette College.

"The scheduling worked out so we could duplicate a tournament experience," Richards noted. "We played Thursday and Friday, then faced a top level team on Saturday, much like we would if we reached the championship in a tournament."

One problem for Broadus: Upton was a really good team. "We ran into a buzz saw against Upton," Richards chuckled as he described the game.

"They came out and went up 11-0 against us right off, and were up 20-4 at one point before we got our heads screwed back and pulled back into the game."

Though Broadus outmatched Upton with height under the basket, Upton was able to play their up-tempo game style to keep the Hawks on the move, followed by a precise long range shooting clinic. Upton would sink 13 of 31 from beyond the arc, making 39 points from three point land.

Broadus came back to within three points at the end of the first quarter, and pulled to within two points in the second quarter, after which the score see-sawed back and forth until mid-way through the third, where Upton called a time-out as Broadus was within three once again. From there Upton took a substantial lead, and finished the game leading Broadus 71-58, and handing Broadus their first loss of the season.

Upton's 6' Senior Luca Brooks led the Bobcats in scoring with 27, while the Hawks had a more balanced attack, with Dillon Gee and Marcus Mader each scoring 14, and Wyatt Gee sinking 6 of 8 from the field for 13 points.

Richards commended the Broadus fan base for traveling to the game, noting the stands had a large percentage of the fans one would see at a home game, as well as followers of the team from the Gillette area and other locales who came to watch the action.

"We learned a lot of lessons in the game against Upton," Richards quipped. "Our plan is to take those lessons into the upcoming games at Melstone and Terry this weekend, as those games will determine who wins the conference."

As it stands, Broadus can do no worse than second in the conference, but a loss to Melstone would seriously hurt their chances at a conference title, so the plan is to win out the season if at all possible, and carry that momentum into the district tournament next week in Miles City.

That tournament will begin on Wednesday, with the Hawks playing at 10 AM against the number 8 seed if the Hawks win the conference, or at 6:45 PM on Wednesday against the 7th seed if they finish second.

Girls

Coach Emmons was not available during our normally scheduled meeting, so are short on details and stats from the Custer/Hysham and Jordan games, but will have more from the games next week. Broadus won at Custer 50-33 on Thursday, and lost in a close game 47-41 on Friday against Jordan.

The Lady Hawks are likely to go into the tournament as the fourth seed next week, which would put their first game at 3:15 PM on Wednesday.