Scottie Girls Make Final Four at State

Glasgow's girls basketball team earned their first trip to the state tournament in 24 seasons this year. And the Scottie squad made the most of their trip to Bozeman, putting up a 2-2 record at the big dance for a fourth-place finish.

Glasgow faced the South's number one seed Colstrip in the opening round, falling in a hard fought game 49-39. The Scotties rebounded in game two on Friday morning, defeating Thompson Falls 46-30.

That win pitted Glasgow against Hi-Line rival Malta. The Scotties posted their first win of the 2021-2022 season, eliminating the M-ettes from the tournament by a score of 41-32.

Glasgow moved into the Consolation game Saturday night against Big Fork. The Vikings came out on top of a 59-49 victory to claim the third place title.

The Scotties saw the Colts take the lead on the first basket in their Thursday afternoon matchup. Colstrip never relinquished their advantage though the Scotties fought valiantly through out the 32 minutes.

The Colts went up 15-8 after one quarter and the Scotties trailed 25-17 at the half. Glasgow started slowly after the break, putting up 5 points in the third while Colstrip put up 11. The Scotties outscored the Colts 17-13 in the final quarter but were unable to overcome Colstrip's lead.

The Scotties played a balanced offensive game. Carly Nelson led the team with 8 points followed by Abrianna Nielsen, Tyann Graham and Sabrina Harsh with 7 each. Daley Aune scored 6 and Blaire Westby added 4 points. The Scotties went 11-for-16 at the line, led by Harsh who hit 5-of-8 free throws.

Harsh drew four fouls and Aune three, while Westby, Graham and Nelson drew two each. Nielsen and Harsh were each called for three personal fouls, Aune and Nelson two a piece and Westby one.

Harsh led the Scotties in rebounds with eight, five offensive. Aune grabbed five boards, Graham four, Westby three, Tatum Nyquist two and Nielsen and Nelson one each.

Glasgow moved to the back side of the bracket where they faced Thompson Falls in a do-or-die game. And the Scotties did.

The BlueHawks lit up the scoreboard a minute-and-a-half into the game but that would prove to be their only lead of the game. Glasgow answered and took control of the game in a slow offensive start with a 5-2 lead after one. The Scotties poured in 15 points in the second quarter though, going on a 13-point run, to carry a 20-7 lead into halftime.

After the break, Glasgow outscored Thompson Falls 13-6 in the third before the BlueHawks rallied in the fourth. Thompson Falls scored 17 to Glasgow's 13 in the final eight minutes but could not overcome a determined Scottie team.

Harsh was the leading scorer in the game, hitting 12-of-17 at the charity stripe and 4-of-8 from the field for 20 points. The junior also pulled down 17 rebounds, 11 defensively, earning a double-double for Glasgow. She also notched six blocked shots in the victory.

Nelson added 10 points, going 5-for-9 from the court. Westby went 6-for-8 at the line, drawing four fouls in the game. Nielsen and Aune scored 4 each and Graham hit a field goal.

Nelson pulled down six rebounds followed by Aune with five and Nielsen and Graham with four each. Aune and Harsh each had three assists to lead the Scotties while Harsh led the team in steals with four. Nielsen added two assists and two steals. Graham had one notch in each stats category.

Glasgow then faced local rival Malta, who had fallen to Jefferson 43-33 the night before.

The Scotties took a 12-5 lead after one and carried a one-point margin into the second half – 18-17. Glasgow threw 14 more up on the big board in the third while holding Malta to 9 points and outscored the M-ettes 9-6 in the final eight minutes.

Harsh hit another double-double for the Scotties with 13 points and 17 rebounds. Nielsen added 11 points with three downtown shots. Nelson scored 8 points in the win. Aune scored 4, Graham 3 and Westby 2 points.

Having upset the number one seed out of the Northern B Glasgow moved into the Consolation game against the Vikings of Bigfork.

The Vikings took the lead in the first quarter – 15-8 – forcing the Scotties to play from behind. Though Glasgow put up double digits in the final three quarters, they could not overcome the deficit established in the first quarter. Bigfork led by 5 at the half, 26-21, and 42-33 after three before winning 59-49.

Harsh put up her third double-double at the tournament with 27 points and 15 rebounds. She went 9-for-15 from the field and 9-for-11 at the free throw line while grabbing 13 offensive boards. She registered one blocked shot. The junior Scottie drew seven fouls but fouled out herself.

Nielsen put up 6 points on two outside shots while Graham also added 6 points from downtown. Aune and Nelson both connected on two field goals and Westby hit one from the floor.

Westby led the team in assists and steals with four in each category. Nielsen and Graham had one assist each.

Though the season ended on a loss, many Scottie fans – and the head coach – found much to celebrate in Glasgow's first state tournament berth in 24 years.

Head coach Cami Graham, in her first year at the helm, said, "I am really excited for the program, being able to make it to state and get to Saturday night really helps the girls buy in!"

The Scotties lose seniors Graham, Nielsen and Westby but will return a number of players with experience next season. "It was a fun way to end [the season]," said C. Graham. "We have a great group of kids!"