MISSOULA — Butte Central’s bench was tested in a big way Saturday at Dahlberg Arena.
The Maroons passed with flying colors, too, beating Polson 44-25 in a nonconference game, which was part of the Northwest vs. Southwest Class A Basketball Tip-off Tournament.
Nine Maroons scored points and 13 different players contributed as BC improved to 2-0 on the season.
Butte Central had to utilize its bench early because senior starters Kloie Thatcher, Olivia Bolton and Megan Michelotti missed the first half of the game because they were taking the ACT test.
Thanks to a 9-0 second quarter, the Maroons held a 19-12 advantage at the break. Thatcher scored nine points to lead the team after the break.
Tricia Joyce scored eight points, while Maddie Kump scored all of her seven points in the first half.
Emma Keely contributed with five points for BC, while Michelotti and Taylor Harringotn each scored four, Delaney Hasquet, and Shea Davis and Cassidy Strizic each scored two.
Olivia Bolton, Amira Bolton, Tess Riordan and Allyson Mueller also contributed in the win.
Jaycee Frydelund scored seven of her 13 points in the first quarter to lead the Pirates.
The Maroons head west again next weekend for road games Friday and Saturday at Frenchtown and Stevensville.
BUTTE CENTRAL (2-0) — Cassidy Strizic 1 0-2 2, Emma Keeley 2 1-2 5, Tricia Joyce 3 0-0 8, Shea Davis 1 0-0 2, Tess Riordan 0 0-0 0, Amira Bolton 0 0-0 0, Taylor Harrington 2 0-0 4, Maddie Kump 3 0-0 7, Allyson Mueller 0 0-0 , Delaney Hasquet 1 1-2 3, Kloie Thatcher 3 2-2 9, Olivia Bolton 0 0-0 0, Megan Michelotti 2 0-2 4. Totals 18 4-10 44.
POLSON — Kaelyn Smith 1 1-5 3, Quinn Motichka 1 1-2 3, Alex Pierre 1 1-3 3, Olivia Perez 1 1-2 3, Jaycee Frydelund 5 2-2 13, Lis Costille 0 0-0 0, Aislyn Baker 0 0-0 0, Mahala Buffalo 0 0-0 0, Natasha Gravelle 0 0-0 0. Totals 9 6-14 25.
Butte Central 10 9 12 13 — 44
Polson 12 0 10 3 — 25
3-point goals — BC 4 (Joyce 2, Thatcher 1, Kump 1), Polson 1 (Frydelund 1). Fouls — BC 15, Polson 12. Fouled out — none.
