Lady Bulldogs finish season at state tournament

The CCHS Lady Bulldogs fell one game short of reaching the consolation game at the 2022 State Class C Girls' Basketball Tournament in Great Falls last weekend and ended their year with a 21-7 record.

In their first game, CCHS had a tough matchup against eventual state champion Roy-Winifred. Facing a significant height difference, the Lady Bulldogs went down 22-0 at the end of the first quarter and eventually lost 28-55. A bright spot for CCHS was eighth grader Nasya O'Connor who hit 4 of 6 three-pointers and finished the game with 20 points. Tyra O'Connor and Codi Melton each had 6 rebounds for Lady Blue. Roy-Winifred's Laynee Elness had a game high 21 points, and Madeline Heggem added 12 points and 10 rebounds for the Lady Outlaws.

Roy-Winifred, the number one seed from the northern division, ended up defeating the number two seed from the north, Box Elder, in the state championship game.

CCHS 0 9 20 28

R-W 22 35 48 55

CCHS: Nasya O'Connor 20 pts, 3 rbnds, 1 ast; Heidi LaBree 5 pts, 3 rbnds, 5 trns, 1 stl; Brynn Loehding 2 pts, 4 rbnds, 2 trns, 2 stls; Tyra O'Connor 1 pt, 6 rbnds, 3 trns; Codi Melton 6 rbnds, 3 trns, 1 ast; 2 stls; Kendra Tooke 3 rbnds, 3 trns, 2 asts, 3 stls; Kendall Kittelmann 2 rbnds, 1 trn, 2 stls; Kendall Shepherd 2 rbnds, 2 trns, 1 ast.

In loser-out action on Friday morning, the Lady Bulldogs pulled away from the Manhattan Christian Eagles in the second half and secured the right to play in a Saturday morning game at the state tourney.

The 'Dogs were down three at halftime, but outscored the Eagles 17-9 in the third quarter. Nasya O'Connor cooled off from behind the three-point line where she went 0-2, but she went 7-10 inside the arc and made 7 of 9 free throws to again lead CCHS in scoring. She also led the team in rebounds with 9.

In total, four players scored double digits for the Lady 'Dogs in the victory. Twenty-four of their 68 points came from the free throw line where they shot 86 percent as a team. Heidi LaBree shot 9 of 10 at the line. They were out-rebounded 31 to 43 and had three more turnovers than the Lady Eagles, but their excellent free throw shooting made the difference and secured the victory.

Manhattan Christian's Grace Aamot scored 25 points and Ava Bellach had 21.

CCHS 16 31 48 68

M. C. 17 34 43 63

CCHS: Nasya O'Connor 21 pts, 9 rbnds, 5 trns, 1 ast, 3 stls; Heidi LaBree 17 pts, 7 rbnds, 5 trns, 4 asts, 3 stls; Kendra Tooke 10 pts, 4 rbnds, 2 trns, 1 ast; Tyra O'Connor 10 pts, 2 rbnds, 2 trns, 4 stls; Codi Melton 4 pts, 7 rbnds, 3 trns, 1 ast, 2 stls; Kendall Shepherd 6 pts; Kendall Kittelmann 1 rbnd, 1 trn, 1 ast; Brynn Loehding 1 rbnd.

On Saturday morning, the Lady Bulldogs' season came to an end when they lost to North Country (Saco-Whitewater-Hinsdale). Again, CCHS was at a significant height disadvantage. They were out-rebounded 23-36 and attempted 10 fewer field goals. Lady Blue battled and never gave in. The team showed a lot of heart and grit, but they went on to lose 39-72. Heidi LaBree led CCHS in points (13) while Codi Melton led in rebounds (7). Lady Blue shot 64 percent on free throws and 30 percent from the field. North Country's Jaycee Erickson scored 20 points to lead all scorers and Paige Wasson finished with 17. North Country went on to win the consolation game over Twin Bridges on Saturday afternoon and finished their season with a third-place trophy at the state tourney.

CCHS 7 19 27 39

S.-W.-H. 27 48 60 72

CCHS: Heidi LaBree 13 pts, 5 rbnds, 3 trns, 4 asts, 2 stls; Nasya O'Connor 11 pts, 2 rbnds, 3 trns, 2 stls; Codi Melton 6 pts, 7 rbnds, 2 trns, 1 stl; Tyra O'Connor 3 pts, 2 rbnds, 3 trns, 2 stls; Kendall Kittelmann 3 pts, 3 rbnds, 2 trns; Kendra Tooke 3 pts, 1 rbnd, 1 ast; Brynn Loehding 1 rbnd, 1 trn, 1 ast, 1 stl; Zoie Rost 1 rbnd; Kendall Shepherd 1 rbnd, 2 trns.