Bulldogs fall short in Tip-Off tourney

The Bulldogs had a tough start to the season, falling to two strong teams in opening weekend.

Whitefish dropped its two games to Dillon and Butte Central at the Tip-Off Tournament in Frenchtown over the weekend.

On Friday they faced the Maroons, falling 62-43 despite four three-pointers from Justin Conklin.

Butte jumped out to an early 15-5 lead after the first quarter, and extended that to 26-10 at the half.

Whitefish kept pace in the second half and was only outscored 36-33 in the final quarters, but the early deficit was too much.

Conklin finished with 14, and Talon Holmquist added 12.

Then on Saturday the team fell to Dillon 58-36.

It wasn’t quite the start head coach Scott Smith hoped for, but he said there were some positives to come out of the Tip-Off Tourney.

“There were some high points and some low points. For our first time we didn’t play too bad, we made too many mistakes with good teams,” he said. “When you make mistakes, they make you pay. It cost us, and then when we settled in and did the things we’re supposed to and played good defense, we hung in there with them.”

This week the Dogs will return to Frenchtown, this time to take on the Broncs.

It’s going to be another tough test, Scott said, but that’s what he wants out of early season games.

“I think it’s a winnable game for us,” he said. “We’re going to have to play well again. I’d rather play tough teams at the start, it gives us focus and shows us what we need to work on. We’re going to have to eliminate some of the silly mistakes that we made. I think if we do that, we’ll be right there with Frenchtown.”

Butte Central 15 11 19 17 — 62

Whitefish 5 5 20 13 — 43

WHITEFISH (0-1) — Bodie Smith 0 3-10, Jason Schlouch 1 1-3 3, Logan Conklin 0 0-0 0, Donny Davis 0 0-0 0, Marvin Kimera 0 0-0 0, Justin Conklin 4 2-2 14, Garrett Brock 1 0-0 3, Orion Moore 0 0-0 0, Jayce Cripe 1 0-0 3, Sam Menicke 2 0-0 5, Barrett Scott 0 0-0 0, Talon Holmquist 6 0-2 12. Totals 15 6-18 43.