Hardin Overpowers Hamilton in State Class A Girls Basketball

Eastern Montana teams won the lion's share of the first day's games in the State Class A Girls Basketball tournament in Butte. Only Columbia Falls from the west won a game.

In the final matchup Thursday, Hamilton ran up against the scoring buzzsaw of Hardin, losing the game by a score of 69 to 54.

The Lady Broncs were playing catch-up throughout the contest, trailing 21 to 9 at the end of the first quarter, 33 to 28 at the half and 45 to 39 at the beginning of the fourth quarter. The Lady Broncs would get a run of scoring, but Hardin would answer back. At the end, Hardin pulled ahead 69 to 54.

The loss, however, sets up a game between Bitterroot Valley teams.

The battle of the Bitterroot will Friday afternoon at 2 p.m. when Hamilton and Corvallis will meet at the Butte Civic Center. the winner will continue to a 9:30 a.m. Saturday morning game and a chance to be in the Saturday evening consolation game at 6:30 p.m. The loser will be out of the tournament.

The schedule Friday:
12:3- p.m. - Laurel vs Butte Central
2 p.m. - Corvallis vs Hamilton
6:30 p.m. - Columbia Falls vs Havre
8 p.m. - Belgrade vs Hardin