Capital hangs on, downs CMR girls
A strong second half from the C.M. Russell High girls’ basketball team nearly put it over the hump.
The Rustlers couldn’t quite crest the hill, however, falling 54-49 to Helena Capital at CMR Fieldhouse in the season opener in front of 300 fans.
Rustler head coach Brian Crosby credited the stiff play of the Bruins, a team that took fourth at the Class AA state tournament a season ago.
“They’re a really good team,” Crosby said. “They’re a team that played on Saturday night (at state) last year and had basically everybody back minus one of their (post players). They’re super-talented, they understand their system. Bill Pilgeram is a great coach. There was a lot of bright spots. It’s disappointing we didn’t get the win … but the fact we were in that game gives us a lot to look forward to.”
One such bright spot was junior guard Addison Gardner, the Rustlers leading scorer from last year. Gardner dropped 17 points on opening night, highlighted by a deep, clutch 3-pointer with 21 seconds late in the contest to cut the score to three.
“She’s a great player,” Crosby said of his All-Conference junior. “She can kind of get a shot wherever she needs to. … We played eight kids tonight and I think 1-8 played really well. We’ll figure it out.”
Kyra Willis recorded a solid overall game for CMR as well, pouring in 14 points and was quite active on the boards and the defensive end as well.
“I think Kyra is one of our most important players,” Crosby said. “She’s kind of a matchup problem … she’s kind of a big guard and she can pass, she can shoot and she’s tough and one of the strongest kids we’ve had in our program.”
The Rustlers found their form in the third period after trailing 31-21 at the half and as many as 13 coming out of the locker room, coming within one point at the 6:14 mark in the fourth.
Mady Skawinski, who finished with 10 points, nailed a 3-pointer on an assist from Sam Payne to kick off the final stanza, and Gardner turned a steal into two points on a fast break on the ensuing Rustler possession to cut it to 42-41 Capital.
The Rustlers couldn’t seem to find the bottom of the net from there, however, and the Bruins made hay at the free throw line to close out the contest.
Capital made 10 of 14 from the stripe to close out the contest, coupled with solid defense, not allowing much penetration or open looks for CMR.
The Rustler defense picked up greatly in the second half, allowing only 23 points after surrendering 31 in the opening 16 minutes, giving up only two Bruin field goals in the final period.
“I think our defense was pretty good,” Skawinski said. “We hustled and got after it.”
Capital built the lead in the first half on its ability to get to the hoop, led by Sydney Sheridan, a sophomore guard with a knack for getting inside. Sheridan paced the Bruins with 17 points, 10 coming in the first half.
Aubrey McMaster followed Sheridan with 10 points for the Bruins.
The Rustlers continue action next Friday at 7:30 p.m. with another nonconference contest at home against Kalispell Flathead.
Capital 10 21 10 13 – 54
CMR 7 14 15 13 – 49
Capital – Aubrey McMaster 10, Megan Lindbo 6, Katie Calver 4, Kacie Gross 5, Taylor Sullivan 5, Sydney Sheridan 17, Aryn Cummings 5, Shea Sampson 1. Totals 15 21-30 54.
CMR – Akasia Denton 4, Mady Skawinski 10, Tristin Achenbach 2, Kayci Edwards 2, Addison Gardner 17, Kyra Willis 14. Totals 12 16-22 49.
3-point goals – McMaster 2; Skawinski 2, Gardner 3, Willis 2. Total fouls – Capital 17, CMR 18.