Girls basketball notches two more tallies in win column

The Whitefish girls basketball team defeated both Libby and Polson by wide margins last week.

According to head coach Bob Bolam, the Lady Bulldogs got off to a slow start offensively in both games but soon got on a roll. Whitefish defeated the Loggers at home on Friday evening 49-31 and then traveled to Polson on Saturday which resulted in a 55-21 win over the Pirates.

In both games Bolam was able to play some of the younger girls on the bench late in the game, which he was pleased that they were able to get in some game-time experience.

Against Libby the Lady Dogs built a 16-point halftime lead and then also outscored the Loggers 12-3 in the third quarter. Senior Brook Smith led Whitefish with a breakout offensive performance, scoring 18 points and nabbing 10 rebounds. Several of her rebounds were on the offensive end which she was able to put back up and into the hoop.

Bolam said having a presence in the paint is something that’s been missing from the team in recent years and seeing Smith grow in that role has been exciting to watch.

“I think it’s something that we’ve lacked in previous years so it’s really good to see us have that dominant person in the middle and she’s hungry, she’s looking for ways to score,” he said. “We’re trying to set some things up for her so she can score and use her abilities to our advantage. There’s not a lot of posts in our league as big as her and that jump as well as her, and can score inside.”

Whitefish traveled to Polson the next day to face the Lady Pirates who are still looking for their first win of the season. Whitefish held Polson to just six first-half points while lighting up the basket on the other end. The Lady Bulldogs had their highest scoring quarter in the second period with 20 points.

Whitefish’s leading scorer Gracie Smyley topped the scoring charts in the game with 15 points and Jadi Walburn tossed up 14 points of her own.

“Polson was just a game that we put together pretty good,” Bolam said. “Gracie Smyley led us again… and Jadi Walburn came out a little bit too with 14, so it was good to see her get on the scoring end of things.”

The Lady Dogs have a big week ahead with three games scheduled this week. Whitefish was set to host Eureka on Tuesday night after press time. Then the girls will play Browning at home on Thursday before traveling to Stevensville on Friday.

Bolam expressed he believes his team can play with all three of them as long as they play Whitefish basketball.

“A lot of teams have been playing better with [Browning] this year and we need to be one of those teams also, and believe that we can get that game done,” he said. “[Stevensville] is a game that we could win also if we play well, but just making that trip though after playing the night before we’ll have to be really focused and sharp in the things we do.”

Whitefish 10 20 12 12 – 55

Polson 2 4 8 7 – 21

WHITEFISH – Jadi Walburn 14, Erin Wilde 4, Taylor Means 3, Ashton Ramsey 7, Makenna Ells 3, Gracie Smyley 15, Brooklyn Roberts 1, Brook Smith 8.

POLSON – Jazlyn Dalbey 5, Megan Rost 4, Arly Teaff 3, Turquoise Pierre 1, McKenna Harrison 1, Mossy Kauley 4, Grace Hobbs 1, Kamdyn Burrows 2.

Libby 9 6 3 13 – 31

Whitefish 14 17 12 6 – 49

LIBBY – Gabby Fantozzi 2, Olivia Gillian Smith 3, Elise Erickson 11, Faith Vaught 3, Kenzie Boehmler 8, Taylor Munro 4.

WHITEFISH – Jadi Walburn 4, Erin Wilde 10, Ashton Ramsey 5, Rya Hirsch 2, Gracie Smyley 10, Brook Smith 18.