Lady Trojans finish third, advance to Divisionals

The Whitehall High School girls basketball team will live to play another day.

The Lady Trojans won two games Saturday at the 5B District Tournament to finish in third place and will move on the Southern B Divisional Tournament and a play in game Wednesday, March 4 against Huntley Project.

After defeating Townsend 56-43 Saturday morning, Whitehall earned the third-place finish with a 54-48 win over rival Boulder.

Following the game, Head Coach Kelly Nieskens said the team has been through ups and down, but they battled through the adversity.

"When it comes down to it. Our team sticks together, and we fight. We came out and played two great games today and I'm so happy for these girls. They've earned it," he said.

Senior Asha Noyes and freshman Jada Clarkson both had huge games against the Lady Panthers. Noyes ended her night with 18 and Clarkson finished with 17. Meagan Johnson added seven including a key three pointer to push the lead to 48-44 with two minutes remaining.

Nieskens said this was the most complete game he has seen Noyes play as her coach.

"She's worked hard, to see her do this it is awesome," Nieskens said.

Noyes said she played for her team and it was great to get the third-place finish.

"It feels amazing. It's a huge accomplishment for all of us," she said.

Whitehall would fall behind early 10-3 before storming back to tie the game at 11 going into the second quarter.

Noyes had a huge second quarter with nine points including a three with time running out in the half to give Whitehall a 28-24 lead.

It was an even third quarter with both teams scoring ten and the Lady Trojans maintaining their four-point advantage (38-34) going into the last quarter.

Rachel Van Blaricom led Jefferson with a game high 27.

The Divisional game is scheduled for 7:30 p.m. at the MetraPark Arena in Billings.