HELENA — Butte High’s comeback came up short Thursday night.
The Bulldogs could not erase a 17-point deficit heading into the fourth quarter, and Helena High held on for a 49-39 win in a Western AA girls’ basketball game.
Butte High trailed 19-12 at the half and 37-20 after three quarters.
Bulldog senior Brooke McGrath scored eight of her 13 points in the fourth quarter as the Bulldogs battled until the end.
Avery Kraft and Alex Bullock each scored 12 points to lead the Bengals, who salvaged the regular-season split while improving to 10-7 overall and 7-6 in league play. Kraft buried three 3-poitners.
Helena also got eight points from Kim Feller and five apiece from Ashley Koenig and Logan Todorovich.
Senior Kodie Hoagland joined McGrath with 13 points, six of which came in the final frame. Tylar Clary scored six points, while fellow senior Ashley Olson tossed in four.
Olson made a return from an ankle injury that cost her five games.
Emmarie Richards tossed in two points, and Payton Clary netted one. Laura Rosenleaf and Pieper Joseph also contributed for the Bulldogs.
Butte High will close the regular season at 3 p.m. Saturday against Helena Capital at the Richardson Gym. Butte High will celebrate Senior Day, honoring Hoagland, Joseph, Tylar Clary, McGrath and Olson and their parents.
The Bulldogs will head to Helena next week for the Western AA Divisional tournament.
BUTTE HIGH (8-9, 4-9) — Kodie Hoagland 3 5-6 13, Laura Rosenleaf 0 0-0 0, Tylar Clary 1 4-6 6, Emmarie Richards 1 0-0 2, Brooke McGrath 4 3-3 13, Ashley Olson 1 2-4 4, Payton Clary 0 1-2 1, Pieper Joseph 0 0-0 0. Totals 10 15-22 39.
HELENA HIGH (10-7, 7-6) — Maloree English 2 0-0 5, Avery Kraft 3 3-4 12, Alex Bullock 5 2-2 12, Logan Todorovich 2 0-0 5, Kim Feller 3 2-6 8, Ashley Koenig 2 0-0 5, Emma Stilson 0 0-0 0, Kylee Gaurdipee 0 0-0 0, Madi Todoroviach 0 0-0 0, Lauren Heuiser 1 0-2 2. Totals 18 7-14 49.
Butte 7 5 8 19 — 39
Helena 9 10 18 12 — 49
3-point goals — Butte 4 (McGrath 2, Hoagland 2), Helena 6 (Kraft 3, English, Koenig, L. Todorovich). Fouls — Butte 15, Helena 19. Fouled out — none. Technicals — none.
