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Three Forks strong in win over Big Timber

The Three Forks High School boys basketball team will look to move to 7-0 in 5B District play with a Thursday matchup at Whitehall.

In action last week, Three Forks (10-2, 6-0 5B) picked up a convincing 78-47 home win Friday over Big Timber and fell Saturday 53-45 at third-ranked Columbus.

Wolves Head Coach Terry Hauser was pleased with his team’s performance Friday against the Herders.

“I thought we played a great game. Defensively we hounded the ball, and our help was in the right spots. Offensively we moved the ball as well as we have all year, so that was awesome to see,” Hauser said.

After trailing 17-9 at the end of the first quarter and 27-22 at halftime at Columbus, Three Forks had a strong third quarter outscoring the Cougars 19-10 to take a four-point lead going into the fourth. Columbus would outscore the Wolves 16-4 in the final quarter to take the eight-point victory.

Hauser said his team came out flat, adding they also had a technical for dunking during warmups which gives him “the seat belt,” not allowing him to stand the whole game – which he feels hurt the overall energy at the start.

“We had a great third quarter and had plenty of opportunities in the fourth as well. We only had four points in the last quarter but had open looks just couldn’t convert them into points. I would say the only difference between the third and the fourth is we didn’t make any of the open shots they gave us,” he said.

Owen Long scored 15, Jacob Buchignani finished with 12, Finn Tesoro had eight, Mikey O’Dell added six, and Austin Allen finished with four.

After the Thursday game at Whitehall, the Wolves will wrap up the week with a Friday game at home against Jefferson.

Hauser said the team needs to improve their spacing and get more paint touches, whether with the dribble or post touches.

“On the defensive end, we will just keep on trying to improve on what we are already good at and maybe change a few things up with our half-court zone defense, be a little more aggressive,” he said.