The Butte High Bulldogs made the Helena trip count.
The girls flipped a double-digit halftime deficit into a dominant second-half win at Ross J. The boys stayed composed and finished strong on the road.
Two games. Two conference wins.
GIRLS
Butte 63, Helena 47
Helena controlled the first half.
The Bengals led 21-13 after one quarter and carried a 31-23 advantage into halftime. Butte needed a response coming out of the locker room.
They delivered it emphatically.
The Bulldogs outscored Helena 40-16 in the second half and completely changed the tone of the game. Defensive pressure increased. Rotations sharpened. The ball moved better offensively. Shots started dropping.
Elli and Cadence Graham led the turnaround.
Elli Graham finished with 17 points, including 11 in the second half. Cadence Graham added 16. The sisters combined for 33 points and helped fuel a 22-point third quarter that swung the momentum for good.
Franki Salusso and Emma Johnson each scored nine. Saege Grey added seven. Avery Barsness knocked down a three. Allie Becker chipped in two.
Seven Bulldogs scored in the victory.
Helena managed just eight points in both the third and fourth quarters.
Butte improved to 10-6 overall and 8-3 in conference play.
Quarter scores
Helena 21 10 8 8 — 47
Butte 13 10 22 18 — 63
Helena High (7-9, 5-6)
Lauren Lieberg 24, Dakota Lieberg 12, McKenna Pipinich 6, Cassidy Smith 4, Emmie Bermingham 1.
Totals: 16 field goals, 13-19 free throws — 47.
Butte High (10-6, 8-3)
Elli Graham 17, Cadence Graham 16, Franki Salusso 9, Emma Johnson 9, Saege Grey 7, Allie Becker 2, Avery Barsness 3.
Totals: 20 field goals, 16-33 free throws — 63.
3-point goals — Helena 2, Butte 7.
Fouls — Helena 22, Butte 12.
Technical — Butte High coach.
Next up: The girls return home to host Hellgate.
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BOYS
Butte 52, Helena 42
The boys game stayed tight for three quarters before the Bulldogs pulled away late.
Butte trailed 14-10 after one quarter and led by just two at halftime. The margin was still within reach entering the fourth.
Then Hudson Luedtke took control.
Luedtke scored 26 points, including 10 in the fourth quarter, as Butte closed on a 19-5 run to secure the road win.
Mitch Verlanic added 11. Josh Liston scored nine. Butte hit seven 3-pointers as a team, with Luedtke knocking down three from deep.
The Bulldogs improved to 13-3 overall and 8-3 in conference.
Quarter scores
Butte 10 15 8 19 — 52
Helena 14 14 9 5 — 42
Butte High (13-3, 8-3)
Hudson Luedtke 26, Mitch Verlanic 11, Josh Liston 9, Cayde Stajcar 2, Brady Hanson 4.
Totals: 16 field goals, 13-26 free throws — 52.
Helena High (8-7, 5-5)
Tyse Todorovich 18, Seth Lieberg 12, CJ OneSpot-Danforth 3, Reece Silvonen 1, Gracen Silvonen 4, Chase Foster 4.
Totals: 15 field goals, 9-15 free throws — 42.
3-point goals — Butte 7, Helena 3.
Fouled out — Stajcar, G. Silvonen.
Technical — Stajcar.
Next up: The boys travel to Hellgate.
