Blue Hawk Athletics
SUPERINTENDENT - Bud Scully
HIGH SCHOOL PRINCIPAL - Jodi Morgan
K-8 PRINCIPAL - Len Dorscher
ACTIVITIES DIRECTOR - Madison Wheeler
" It's amazing how much people get done, if they do not worry who gets the credit.
I am a member of a team, and I rely on the team, I defer to it and sacrifice for it, because the team, not the individual, is the ultimate champion. "
Athletic News
By John Hamilton
There’s no surrender in these Blue Hawks, not even when playing in the time-tested tough Coyote Classic.
Facing off with two quality Northern B teams in the annual Coyote Classic tournament in Shelby last week for the first time ever as part of their regular season schedule, coach Jake Mickelson and his Hawks accorded themselves well, showing no quit in games with Fairfield Friday (the Eagles clipped the Hawks 63-47) and Malta Saturday (the Mustangs upended the Hawks 76-62).
“Fairfield and Malta are two Northern B teams to be reckoned with,” Mickelson said of the traditionally strong basketball schools. "We feel fortunate, are thankful to have had the opportunity to clash with them. Saw a lot of improvement from our guys, will take the experience and move on from here.”
Coach Mickelson and company will close out the 2024 portion of the schedule this week, hosting Seeley-Swan Friday and visiting Anaconda Saturday in more non-conference action. The Hawks are now 1-2 in
non-con play so far.
Fairfield jumped all over the shell-shocked Hawks early in the Coyote Classic Friday, running out to a 24-8 lead after the first quarter before the TFalls boys surely but slowly fought back reducing the deficit to 11 by halftime (35-24) and to only seven (44-37) by the end of the third quarter.
The Eagles outscored the Hawks 19-10 in the final eight minutes to move to the win.
“The slow start ultimately doomed us,” Mickelson said. “But I was impressed with the resolve we showed to scratch and claw our way back into it like we did.”
Saturday’s game with Malta was another test of resolve but for a different reason as team leader Bryson LeCoure went down and out of the game with a second quarter injury. Clearly aggravating a lingering shoulder issue, LeCoure could not continue due to it afterwards.
“We managed to hang in there without Bryson and that’s encouraging,” Mickelson said. “Other kids stepped right up and filled the void.”
After staying right with the Mustangs with LeCoure in the lineup through the first quarter, which ended with Thompson Falls leading 18-16, the Hawks watched the ‘Stangs win the second period 23-12 to take a 39-30 lead into the locker room before battling back again. With LeCoure rooting them on from the bench this time.
Thanks in large part to a career game from Kaiden Robins, who made an amazing 7 3-pointers and scored 28 points, the Hawks maintained contact with Malta in the second half.
LeCoure canned 9 points before the injury, also grabbing 4 rebounds and a steal, and passing out an assist in his short time on the floor. Robins added 5 rebounds, 3 steals, an assist and a blocked shot to his resume for the game, and Bryson McCormick 7 points, a team-high 10 rebounds, 2 assists and 3 steals.
Ethan Burgess added 8 points, 4 rebounds and a steal, and his big brother Sam Burgess 2 points, a team-best 8 steals and 3 blocked shots, besides scoring two points, spearing 6 rebounds and dishing out 2 assists,
Kellen LeCoure collected 7 rebounds, 2 points, 2 assists and 2 steals, Jason Myers 4 points and a rebound, Owen Doyle 2 points, 2 rebounds and 2 assists, and Blake Shustermann a rebound.
Bohdi Brendon scored 29 points to pace Malta, Treyton Wilke added 12, Regan Stuart and Kruise Stiles 11 each and Kazner Oxarart 10.
Against Fairfield, Bryson LeCoure scored 17 points, grabbed 9 rebounds and a steal and blocked a shot, and Sam B bucketed 10
points, pulled down 10 rebounds, swiped two steals and dished out 4 assists while also blocking 2 shots, to lead the Hawk effort against the Northern B Eagles.
Kellen LeCoure added 7 points, 9 rebounds, an assist and a steal, Robins 7 points, 5 boards, an assist, 2 steals and 2 blocked shots and B-Mac 6 points and 6 rebounds. Doyle chipped in with 3 rebounds, 2 assists and 2 steals and Ethan B 3 rebounds, an assist and a steal.
Mickelson likes what McCormick, a senior returning to the basketball team after sitting out a year, has been bringing to the Hawks. “B-Mac has been a welcome addition to the roster,” he said. “He does a lot more for us than what shows up on the stat sheet, has been a tremendous addition to the squad.”
Deron Lear scored a game-high 24 points for Fairfield and Reed Von 21 against the Hawks.
Mickelson was very impressed with and had a great time at the Coyote Classic and with the team’s stay in Shelby.
“Fantastic tournament. Great facility,” he said. “They treated us well and there were lots of great teams there. Kids got to build some chemistry on and off the court.”
Looking ahead to this week’s games, Mickelson expects two more good ones from Seeley and Anaconda. “Both teams are scrappy, we look forward to getting after it again Friday,” he offered.
As for the status of Bryson LeCoure going forward, coach was positive on that score too.
“It’s pretty sore right now,” Mickelson said, “but it’s a positive prognosis for the short and long term. He is a tough kid.”
A confirmed basketball maniac besides being the TFalls coach with three young boys and a likewise busy wife with a life of her own at home, Mickelson tries to strike a delicate balance this time of year. “Basketball season in my head is a whirlwind of our team, the other teams, and finding just enough time to allow my family to let me keep living at their house,” he joked.