Scottie Boys Moving on to Divisionals

The Glasgow Scotties started their post season the way they ended their regular season: with a thrilling overtime win. In opening night action at the District 2B tournament in Wolf Point, the Scotties defeated the Harlem Wildcats, a team they had fallen to twice in the regular season. The 61-60 win advanced Glasgow to the championship round, where they fell to the Malta Mustangs, 48-38. Glasgow now advances to the Northern B Divisional Tournament in Cut Bank this weekend, March 3-6.

"These boys showed up read to play from the start," said Coach Paul Yoakam. Indeed, Glasgow was in the game against Harlem determined to avenge two regular season losses to the Wildcats. The Scotties found themselves down by only four points at the end of the first quarter, 19-15. Balanced scoring from all five starters in the second propelled the Scotties to a 34-29 lead at the half.

Harlem outscored Glasgow by a four points in the third quarter, giving Glasgow a 44-43 lead going into what should have been the final eight minutes of play. The Wildcats put up 14 points to Glasgow's 13 in those eight minutes, sending the game into overtime tied at 57. Vinny Chappell and Hunter Collinsworth both sank field goals for Glasgow, to gain a one-point margin over a three-pointer from Harlem's R.J. Ramone.

Collinsworth led Glasgow in scoring with 18 points, followed closely by Keigan Skolrud with 17 and Chappell with 14. Trevor Klind added eight points and Dalton Sand and Bergen Miller had two each. Collinsworth and Skolrud were called for three fouls each, Chappell two, and Sand, Klind, Riley Smith, and Miller were called for one a piece.

The win put the Scotties in the Saturday night championship game against the Malta Mustangs. Malta took a slim 9-3 lead after the first quarter and continued to increase their margin each period, with the Scotties hanging close, but not close enough.

Malta took a 23-17 lead into the half, and added 7 points in the third quarter, while Glasgow put up 6 to light up the scoreboard at 30-23. Unfortunately for the Scotties, the Mustangs put up 18 in the fourth while holding Glasgow to 15 for the final score of 48-38.

Skolrud put up 20 points in the game. Collinsworth scored 7, Chappell 4, Klind 3, and Smith and Miller 2 each. Skolrud fouled out of the game, while Sand and and Klind were close with four fouls each. Collinsworth and Chappell were called for two a piece and Miller had one foul.

Even with a loss in the title game, the Scotties are pleased with their performance and looking to build on their success. "I feel we've come a long way since the beginning of the season," Skolrud said, "the showing at districts just proves it." Klind said, "I think we played good for the most part." He is looking to improve the Scotties' defense for the next tournament, while Skolrud wants to see his team improve at running the offense. Both players told the Courier rebounding will continue to be a focus for the team.

"We put ourselves in a great position to win some games at the divisional and take a shot at playing Saturday," Yoakam said. "At that point, anything can happen."

Glasgow will travel to Cut Bank for the Northern B Divisional tournament, Thursday through Saturday, March 4-6. The Scotties face Rocky Boy in their first game of the tourney, at 1:30 p.m. on Thursday.