Lady Dogs ride hoops winning streak

It’s been a long time since the Lady Dogs have gone on a winning streak. Since the 2009 season, in fact.

That streak was broken this weekend as Whitefish impressively won back to back games at the Tip-Off Tournament in Missoula.

Playing at the Adams Center on the University of Montana campus, the Lady Dogs edged Stevensville 40-34 on Friday, then took down Anaconda 42-31 on Saturday.

“We decided we wanted to win,” Whitefish coach Clint Peters said. “We were in it from the word go. They decided they wanted to win and just did it.”

Peters noted improved shooting and fewer mistakes as keys to the victories.

The team shot 36 percent against Stevi, with only 15 total turnovers. Against Anaconda, the Lady Dogs drained seven three-pointers in the second half alone.

“We shot the ball well in the second half of both games,” Peters said.

Freshman guard Dani Douglas had 12 point against Stevi and 14 against Anaconda. Haley Nicholson added 14 and 13.

Peters said the duo scores in different ways, which makes the team harder to defend.

“Dani is more calculated, and Haley is attacking the rim,” he said. “We need that diversity in our offense.”

He also noted the play of Coral Schulz, who finished the tourney with 15 points.

“She hit big shots all weekend,” Peters said.

With three players out, freshman Cailyn Ross and sophomore Katy Dolan stepped up.

“They gave us huge minutes,” Peters said. “I’m really happy with the team effort right now.”

Whitefish hosts Libby on Friday at 6 p.m. for their first conference game of the season.

“That’s a big game,” Peters said. “It’d be great to keep the winning streak going. We have the ability to do it if we can put together four quarters.”

Stevensville 4 10 9 15 — 34

Whitefish 5 7 14 14 — 40

STEVENSVILLE – Mariah Hinson 4, Carly Sebastian 7, Katie Benson 8, Makayla Davids 2, Payton Tillotson 12, Maddae Boesch 1.

WHITEFISH – Dani Douglas 12, Coral Schulz 6, Allie Schulz 2, Mariah Drown 4, Haley Nicholson 14, Cailyn Ross 2.

Anaconda 6 6 5 14 — 31

Whitefish 4 8 14 16 — 42

ANACONDA – Randee Johnson 3, Lacee Moodry 6, Molly Huber 5, Kristi Hayden 2, Tyler Banstad 6, Shea Forsberg 9.

WHITEFISH – Dani Douglas 14, Coral Schulz 9, Allie Schulz 2, Mariah Brown 2, Haley Nicholson 13, Cailyn Ross 2.