G-Town Runs Out Of Luck

Lucky. Several times this season, Scotties coach Norm Braaten told The Courier that his team, or any team, needed to be lucky to get to the state tournament. Not just hard-working. Not just talented.

You need to be healthy. The ball needs to bounce your way. Your shots have to fall.

The Scotties suffered the wrong kind of luck at the Northern B Divisional Tournament at Shelby, losing two of its three games. The season is over for this squad that entered the tournament 20-1, was ranked No. 2 in Montana and excited Scottie Nation all season.

"Like I told the kids, it's like reading a good book but the ending doesn't go like you want," G-Town coach Norm Braaten told The Courier.

Glasgow's 56-43 loss to Rocky Boy in the opener sent it to the consolation bracket. The Scotties needed some luck. They needed to win four straight and get help from teams in the championship bracket to advance to State – and they got neither.

After dumping 2B rival Harlem, 72-45, in their second game, they still had life and hope.

But then came Shelby. The Scotties' luck ran out. The Coyotes were a perfect 21-for-21 from the line, while the Scotties went 1-for-24 from 3-point range and shot 5-for-31 from the floor in the second half. Glasgow's 20-16 halftime lead evaporated into a 44-37 defeat.

"For some reason things didn't go well," Braaten said. "We didn't shoot well. I wish we could have lived up to our potential."

The Coyotes also out-rebounded GHS, 31-26, but Glasgow outscored them 10-0 off turnovers – a testament to Glasgow's pressuring defense. In the paint, GHS scored 18 and Shelby 6.

Braaten questioned whether the stronger strength of schedule in 1B than 2B this season factored in the outcome at Divisional. He said the western teams played a "quality schedule every game" while Glasgow led by 30 points in at least nine games over the season.

Braaten said Rocky Boy "had quicker hands than we've seen all year" and attacked Glasgow's lack of speed up front.

"With Harlem, I hoped we turned the corner," Braaten said. "We played OK. I'm proud of the kids and how hard they worked."

"It was a great season," he said. "Once in a lifetime, you get this many kids who are good like this on and off the court. These kids were a class act."

Now the roster turns over. The six core seniors are graduating. Next year's team will be much less experienced.

Braaten would like to see more off-season shooting and practicing among Scottie basketball players, though they play other sports. He'd also like to see fourth- and fifth grade basketball return to the school district to strengthen the program.

Representing Northern B in the state tournament at Great Falls will be champion Choteau and runner-up Rocky Boy. Choteau went undefeated at Divisionals with wins over Plentywood, Shelby and Rocky Boy. Rocky Boy beat Malta in a challenge game Monday to advance.

Here's a recap of Glasgow's games at Divisional.

Rocky Boy 56, Glasgow 43

Rocky Boy led 15-5 after the first quarter and held the lead throughout.

Scoring for Glasgow were Jason Thibault with 16 points, Keil Krumwiede 7, Gage Legare 6, Chase Fossum 5, Jake Page 4, Jake Kolstad 3 and Zach Miller 2.

Cecil LaFromboise and Lonnie Plain Bull Jr. led Rocky Boy, each with 12.

Glasgow 72, Harlem 45

The Scotties outscored Harlem every quarter and pulled away in the second half.

Scoring for Glasgow were Thibault with 24, Fossum 10, Kolstad 9, Krumwiede 9, Page 6, Ethan Etchart 4, Zach Miller 4, Tyler Hersom 2, Trent Herbert 2 and Chase Hughes 2.

Dutch Helgeson led Harlem with 15.

Shelby 46, Glasgow 37

The Scotties led 8-5 after a quarter and 20-16 at the half before their cold shooting and Shelby's 21-for-21 showing at the charity stripe spelled doom.

Scoring for Glasgow were Fossum with 10, Page 10, Thibault 8, Kolstad 5 and Krumwiede 4.

Tyler White led Shelby with 11.

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