Glacier out guns 'Dogs 45-17 in second half

It took two quarters for the Glacier Wolfpack to rev up their offensive engine, but once it was roaring, there wasn't a Bulldog on the court powerful enough to soften the noise.

The Glacier High basketball team drained 10 three-pointers and started the second half on a 17-0 run to rout the Bulldogs 63-27 in the 'Dogs season-opener.

Whitefish (0-1) played the Class AA Wolfpack (1-0) to a draw in the first quarter with a slow-and-steady offensive game plan. Christopher Forrest knocked down a lay up with 9 seconds left on the clock to tie the score at 8-8.

Despite only scoring two points in the second period, the 'Dogs were still in the game going into the half. Scrappy defense from Willie Roche and Austin Green, and strong post-play from Conner Silliker, kept Whitefish within striking distance, down by only eight points at halftime.

"The first two and a half quarters, we ran the game plan exactly to a 'T'," Bulldog coach Mark Casazza said.

However, the game plan fell apart for the Dogs' in the second half, as the young Bulldog squad submitted to Glacier's run-and-gun game plan.

Whitefish scored 11 points in the third quarter, led by five points from Connor Silliker, but Glacier's senior big man, Shay Smithwick-Hann, caught fire, and the 'Pack put the game away by out-scoring the 'Dogs 45-17 in the half.

Missed free-throw opportunities and 24 turnovers didn't help the 'Dogs' cause, who were frustrated by Glacier's speed and size.

Silliker led the Bulldogs with seven points, followed by six points from Gage Vasquez.