Lady Bulldogs heading to state after gutsy divisional performance

The Lady Bulldogs are state tournament bound — and for the first time in 13 years.

Whitefish had a chip on its shoulder and a bit to prove heading into the state qualifier game against Browning on Saturday morning at 9 a.m. In fact the set up to this game was eerily similar to the previous year, according to head coach Bob Bolam.

“It was the same situation we had last year, we played Browning in the same game in Ronan,” Bolam recalled. “So here we were, 9 a.m. playing Browning.”

But under pressure the Lady Bulldogs shined. They knew what the game meant; they knew that after their 11-4 regular season and coming in as the second seed from the Northwest A it was time to prove that they belonged there and furthermore that they deserved to be headed to state.

“I think playing somebody that knocked you out last year, and knowing they are a team from our league that beat us the last time we played them, there was a little motivation there — getting a win back, proving that we belong where we’re at, that it hasn’t been a fluke,” Bolam said. “The girls were really excited, they knew what it meant. It’s been a lot of years since the Whitefish girls have been in the state playoff, but it was for them, they’ve worked hard all year.”

Whitefish started off slow in the first quarter after Browning’s Tatum Running Crane hit four 3-pointers in the first quarter, the Lady Dogs were down by nine early. But the girls clawed their way back and it turned into a close, back-and-forth battle with several lead changes up until the fourth quarter.

Browning was playing an extremely physical game and had racked up over 10 second half fouls early in the final quarter. Whitefish shot 25 free throws in the final period alone.

Whitefish pulled away with a 50-37 lead with three minutes remaining in the game after Taylor Means and Mikenna Ells knocked down their free throws. That was the biggest lead of the game.

Browning attempted a comeback with a 9-0 scoring streak to cut the Lady Dogs’ lead to just 50-46 with one minute remaining. Down the stretch though, Whitefish made its free throws and Browning’s outside shots rattled off the rim as the Lady Bulldogs won 56-48.

As the final buzzer sounded, the Whitefish girls jumped with excitement and gleefully hugged each other in mutual exchanges of congratulations. The victory had sealed a state tournament berth for Whitefish.

“We have a good squad and they know that,” Bolam said. “They didn’t let the pressure get to them, they just fed off each other and enjoyed the moment. I think they just believe in themselves and they know they’re good enough to compete and win those games.”

Prior to the Browning game, Whitefish tipped off the Western A divisional tournament against Hamilton. Heading into the tournament Whitefish was focused on winning its first game because that would set up an easier path to qualify for state.

That didn’t happen though as the Lady Bulldogs came out sluggish against the Broncs and struggled with cold shooting throughout the game.

“We knew (Hamilton) was a very disciplined, good defensive team, but we didn’t come out the way we wanted to,” Bolam explained.

Brook Smith was a highlight in the game though as she had her way inside, often drawing the foul. She scored 18 points, and Gracie Smyley added eight points.

“Brook Smith had a good game that first game,” Bolam said. “She went 10 for 13 at the line and basically kept us in the game,” he added.

After losing to Hamilton 45-38, this set up Whitefish for an elimination game against the top seed in the Southwest and host team, Butte Central.

“It was a tough game to swallow, that first game,” Bolam said. “Then to make matters worse we saw that Ronan beat Butte Central, the No. 1 team from the south which meant not only did we lose but we would be facing the No. 1 team from the south on their home court for the second game.”

With their backs up against the wall, the Lady Bulldogs looked like an entirely different team on Friday as they cruised to a 63-44 win over the home team.

Whitefish came out shooting much better from the opening round and were forcing several turnovers on the defensive end. The Lady Dogs had a 38-point second half and scored 22 points in the fourth quarter.

“That was a big game for us, obviously with the loser-out game, but the girls played with confidence and played well,” the coach said.

Smith led her team again with 21 points, but Whitefish had a balanced scoring attack with Smyley putting in 15 points, 11 from Ashton Ramsey, and Ells added nine points.

That same day Browning lost by just three points to Columbia Falls, making the Lady Indians Whitefish’s opponent in its next must-win game. After Whitefish qualified for state by beating Browning, the girls had to prepare to play again the same day at 5 p.m.

Whitefish faced Hamilton again in the matchup to determine third and fourth places. Both teams had played that morning and it showed. Both Hamiton and Whitefish were playing sluggish, but the Broncs got the upperhand and won 31-28.

After finishing fourth at divisionals, Whitefish has drawn a tough first-round game for the state tournament in Great Falls beginning Wednesday. The Lady Dogs will face the No. 1 ranked team in the state, Billings Central, on Wednesday at 7:30 p.m.

“We know that we’re facing a tough opponent coming up, Billings Central,” Bolam said. “So it’s going to give us a good measuring stick to see where we need to take our program to the next level.”

But despite the tough game ahead, Bolam, his coaching staff and the athletes are all excited that they get to make the trip this week and have a final hurrah to their breakout season.

“I mean we are happy to be there, no doubt about it,” he said. “But now we’re looking to see what we can do, see what we’re made of not only for right now but for the program moving forward.”

Hamilton 12 14 7 12 - 45

Whitefish 8 8 13 9 - 38

HAMILTON — Rylee Brackman 12, Layne Kearns 11, Magdalena Ringer 10, Mya Winkler 6, Katelyn Dickemore 6.

WHITEFISH — Brook Smith 18, Gracie Smyley 8, Mikenna Ells 2, Ashton Ramsey 5, Erin Wilde 5.

Loser out

Butte Central 11 9 10 14 - 44

Whitefish 13 12 16 22 - 63

BUTTE CENTRAL — Amira Bolton 2, Delaney Hasquet 11, Maddi Kump 3, coffee Thatcher 7, Taylor Harrington 2, Avery Kelly 4, Brooke Badovinac 15.

WHITEFISH — Jadi Walburn 5, Mikenna Ells 9, Brook Smith 21, Gracie Smyley 15, Ashton Ramsey 11, Taylor Means 2.

Loser out

Browning 17 7 9 15 - 48

Whitefish 12 15 11 18 - 56

BROWNING - Chalissa Kipp 12, Mecca Bull Child 2, Amari Calf Rope 3, Tatum Running Crane 16, Arena Matt 2, Alena Burdeau 1, Walker Running Crane 5, Abby Bull Calf 7.

WHITEFISH - Jadi Walburn 12, Ashton Ramsey 3, Mikenna Ells 7, Gracie Smyley 16, Brook Smith 13, Taylor Means 5.

Third-fourth

Whitefish 2 7 10 9 - 28

Hamilton 11 6 5 9 - 31

WHITEFISH — Jadi Walburn 4, Ashton Ramsey 4, Gracie Smyley 11, Erin Wilde 1, Taylor Means 6, Jenny Patten 2.

HAMILTON — Kylee Brackman 5, Layne Kearns 18, Magdalena Ringer 2, Katelyn Dickemore 2, Mya Winkler 4.