Bulldogs hold off Hamilton at Tip Off

The Whitefish boys basketball team showed they’ll be contenders this season if they can utilize their strength in the post after splitting a pair of close games at the annual Tip Off Tournament in Polson.

Whitefish bounced back from a season-opening loss to Flathead with a nice 56-54 win over Hamilton on Friday. The Bulldogs used their length and size to dominate in the paint.

“When we get the ball inside, good things happen,” Whitefish coach Mark Casazza said.

Whitefish put together a strong first quarter and led by 5 at the half. Hamiltion made a push in the fourth quarter, but Whitefish was able to hang on for their first win of the season.

“We hit some big shots down the stretch,” Casazza said.

Forward Art Doorn led the way with 18 points, while senior center Garrett Anderson added 13 points and 15 rebounds.

Saturday, the Corvallis Blue Devils slipped past Whitefish 45-41 after a slow start offensively for the Dogs.

EJ Havens led Whitefish with 10 points, while Keaton Nicholson and Anderson each added 7. Big men Doorn and Anderson were held in check with just 13 points combined.

Casazza was impressed with Whitefish’s defense in both games, especially the backcourt duo of Havens and Alex Wilson. Together they combined for 11 steals against Corvallis.

“They were getting in passing lanes and creating a lot of deflections,” Casazza said.

He noted the play of AJ Wetsch who provided an offensive spark off the bench against Corvallis.

Whitefish hosts Glacier on Friday at 8 p.m., then travels to Libby on Saturday for their first conference game of the year.

“Against Glacier we have to play with composure,” Casazza said.

At Libby, it will be all about keeping sharpshooter Jared Winslow in check.

“He’s a heck of a shooter from the outside,” Casazza said. “We can’t let him get going.”

Flathead 20 6 15 9 — 50

Whitefish 3 3 8 14 — 28

FLATHEAD — Chandler Escalante 9, Blaine Newman 9, Adam Bradley 9, Trae Habel 6, Easton Johnson 6, Matt Quist 5, Tommie Owens 4, Will Cronk 2.

WHITEFISH — Garrett Anderson 10, Keaton Nicholson 7, Hugh Ramlow 5, Alex Wilson 2, Art Doorn 2, EJ Havens 2.

Hamilton 8 19 11 16 — 54

Whitefish 17 15 13 11 — 56

HAMILTON – Josh Heath 19, Josh Bauder 11, Ty Burt 8, Kameron Khon 7, Kris Cleveland 5, Teague Blome 4.

WHITEFISH – Art Doorn 18, Garrett Anderson 13, EJ Havens 11, Keaton Nicholson 7, Hugh Ramlow 5, Cody Olson 2.

Corvallis 9 8 10 18 — 45

Whitefish 4 11 8 18 — 41

CORVALLIS — Alma Powell 19, Jayce Gilder 10, Chaney Waldo, Brigham Parrish 7, Porter Jessop 3, Andrew Leopold 2.

WHITEFISH — Keaton Nicholson 7, AJ Wetsch 6, Cody Olson 1, Alex Wilson 2, EJ Havens 10, Art Doorn 6, Hugh Ramlow 2, Garrett Anderson 7.