The Potomac Pioneers won the Copper League Small School Championship 24-13 Dec. 18 against Seeley Lake Elementary. Pictured Back (L-R): Head Coach Brad Hall and Hunter Preston. Middle (L-R): Emmett Zander, Keith Zander, Corbin Weltzien, Jude Vogel, Owen Dry and Assistant Coach Wacey Thompson. Front (L-R): Brandon Leathers, Alex Duello, Wyatt Dry, Ethan Preston and Sawyar Cooney.
Seeley Lake Elementary Eagles took second place in the Copper League Small Schools Tournament. Back (L-R): Wyatt Stout, Johnnie Stout, Owen Hoag, Klayton Kovatch and Head Coach Brett Haines. Front (L-R): Cannon Hawkinson, Kaden Thornsberry, Ben Haley and Ari Nicholas.
MISSOULA – With each team trading their only losses for the season, the Seeley Lake Elementary Eagles boys basketball team faced the Potomac Pioneers Dec. 18 at the Adam's Center in Missoula for the Copper League Small Schools Championship. Despite the Eagles trying to close the gap in the fourth quarter, the Pioneers maintained their lead and took the Championship 24-13.
Both teams won one game of tournament play before meeting at the championship. The Eagles beat MIS and the Pioneers took DeSmet out of the tournament.
Potomac Assistant Coach Wacey Thompson said he and Head Coach Brad Hall had their boys work on their defense since Seeley shot the ball really well in their only loss for the season.
"My biggest concern was leaving them open," said Thompson. "We made a few changes. I have to give credit to the boys because they picked up on all the different stuff we were trying to do."
Thompson said he put a player up to the three-point line and took away the Eagle's opportunity for open shots. Seventh grader Owen Dry and eighth-grader Jude Vogel rotated around taking out the middle.
"[Dry and Vogel] were the reason the defense worked so well," said Thompson. "They had the toughest job and the most distance to travel."
With around five minutes left in the game, the Eagles made a run at the lead and got within three baskets. Then Potomac took control of the ball and never gave it up.
"They had me a little nervous in the fourth quarter but the boys overcame it and were able to get some deflections, some steals and some easy layups," said Thompson. "It was a fun game to coach because both teams were right in it."
SLE Eagles Head Coach Brett Haines said the boys struggled shooting and Potomac out hustled them at times.
"Potomac got some fast break stuff on us, we just didn't have our heads up and we got caught a couple times but otherwise we made them earn their points. The kids gave a good effort but we just couldn't make those outside shots," said Haines. "Potomac played well and they deserved the win."
This was Thompson's first championship win as a coach and he was so proud of the boys.
"It was a great season and we all had a blast," said Thompson. "I'm incredibly proud of the boys. They did exactly what Brad [Hall] and I asked them to do. They went in there, believed in themselves and beat a good team."
Haines said he really enjoyed working with the boys and was happy they made it to the championship game. Even though they did not come out with the win, he was still proud of them.
"It was a great group of kids. I really enjoyed coaching them," said Haines. "I hope to see the eighth graders continue their basketball career in high school. I think they could be great basketball players."
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