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Boys basketball team coasts through first half of conference season

  Andy Frey - Arrow Staff

Senior Steve Symington plows through Helena defense for a layup.

   After their biggest weekend in basketball in more than 10 years, the Flathead Braves proved to any doubters that they can win.

   On Friday, Jan. 26, the Braves welcomed the Helena High Bengals, the No. 3 team in the state. A tight Flathead defense shut down the high-powered Bengal offense, and the Braves came out of the game victorious, 58-40.

   "It was good," said senior point guard Mike Herzog. "The last three quarters were the best defense we've played all year."

   The following night the Helena Capital Bruins, the No. 5 team in the state, came to town. During the second half the Braves trailed by as many as 12 points, but with strong outside shooting in the fourth quarter by Colter and Justin Smith the Braves fought back for a 45-40 victory. In the fourth quarter every fan in the Flathead gymnasium was on their feet cheering on the Braves.

   "The crowd definitely helped pump us up," said senior post Steve Symington of the Braves' comeback. "We didn't want to disappoint that massive crowd, and were not a team that is going to give up."

   "It was really loud and it makes you want to win that much more for the people that are watching," added Herzog. "It is extra motivation."
T he wins over the two Helena schools boosted Flathead's ranking to No. 3 in the state, and put them all alone atop the Western AA with a conference record of 6-0.

   On Tuesday, Jan. 30, the Braves traveled to Libby for a non-conference contest with the Loggers. After a slow first half, the Braves picked it up in the second half, outscoring Libby 44-20, to win by a final score of 72-46. Flathead was led by sophomore Kasey Thiesen who moved up from JV to replace Troy Wassink.

   "It was a lot of fun playing with all those guys that seem a lot quicker," said Thiesen. "We are doing great this year and we are finally getting the community behind us too."

   Now heading into the second half of their conference season the Braves feel confident that they can continue to win and end the season in first or second place in the Western AA.

   "It's the goal," said Herzog. "It will be tougher the second time around because we've made them (the other teams) all mad."

   Tonight the Braves will head to Missoula to face the Sentinel Spartans, and next week the Polson Pirates come to town on Tuesday. Saturday, the Braves travel to Butte to face the Bulldogs.

   "I really believe we can win the West," said Symington. "We are going to have a few tough games the second half of the season, but I know we can handle it."