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Butte Falls one win from state By Greg Stiles CENTRAL POINT � One more win and the Butte Falls Loggers make a long-awaited return trip to the Class 1A state girls basketball tournament. The Loggers, who last journeyed to Baker City for state in 1997, played well enough for three quarters and survived a frantic fourth period to defeat Days Creek, 50-45, in the first round of the Skyline A district tournament Friday at Crater High. Sophomore Amanda Hamilton poured in 21 points, hitting four 3-pointers, and freshman Brianna Smeltz added 10 points and four steals as Butte Falls improved to 17-4. "This game was really important to us because we haven�t been in the playoffs in four years," said Hamilton, whose hot shooting in the first quarter jump-started Butte Falls� offense. The Loggers play North Lake at 1 p.m. today with the winner advancing to the Feb. 28-March 3 state tournament. North Lake dropped a 59-42 decision to Elkton in a game that matched the winners of the Skyline A�s two divisions. The Loggers split the season series against North Lake, with Butte Falls winning, 53-49 at home and North Lake prevailing last Friday, 50-48, at Silver Lake. "We know we can beat North Lake, and we�re looking forward to playing them again," Hamilton said. Days Creek, the North Division runner-up, finished the season 14-11. But the Wolves didn�t go without a fight. After scoring 17 points in the first half, Hamilton drew her fourth foul early in the third quarter and scored just four points before fouling out with 5:26 to play. Both teams are young. The Loggers started three sophomores and a freshman, while Days Creek started four freshmen. With senior Lindsey Stockton, the team�s leading scorer at 14 points per game, hampered by the flu, Butte Falls seemed to miss Hamilton�s presence all the more. The Loggers committed 22 turnovers in the first three quarters and 10 in the fourth. "We had a freshman point guard and freshmen on the wings at times, and they really got caught up in it when Days Creek started coming back," veteran Butte Falls coach B.J. Rodgers said. "Actually, we did a pretty good job when they were double-teaming and trapping." The Loggers shot the Wolves right out of their 2-3 zone in the first quarter, then proceeded to build a 12-point advantage en route to a 23-14 lead at the half. With 2:52 left in the third quarter, Butte Falls led 37-22. The Wolves had the Loggers right where they wanted them. Over the next 9� minutes, the Wolves chewed away at the Loggers� lead to the tune of 23-9. "We were way behind in a playoff game against Umpqua Valley Christian the other night," said Days Creek guard Seantae Burkett. "We won 41-33. We�ve just played that way this year." But Smeltz converted on a key three-point play and hit both ends of a one-and-one as the Wolves made their charge in the fourth quarter. Amy Moore stole the ball and had a chance to tie the game with 53 seconds to go after she was fouled by Jessica Dunlap. Moore missed the first but made the second to make it 46-45. Smeltz then hit the front end of a one-and-one and then Jammie McClanahan rimmed in another free throw with 24 seconds left to push the lead to three points. "I just knew I better make it," McClanahan said. "We could�ve done better. But everyone was nervous because we knew we had to win two games." Days Creek�s desperation 3-pointer caromed to the Loggers and Elizabeth McLauchlan sealed it with a breakaway hoop. "We just wanted to keep our composure and make them foul us," Smeltz said. "We wanted to have the big matchup (today)." Bridie Hunt and Jamie Dunn scored 17 points apiece to lead the Wolves. DAYS CREEK (45) � Moore 8, Warner 0, Watkins 1, Walters 4, Doolittle 0, Ludwig 8, Hunt 17, Burkett 0, Dunn 17, Sheradan 0. Totals: 18-51 8-13 45. BUTTE FALLS (50) � McKibben 0, Smeltz 10, Stockton 2, Matthews 8, Dunlap 2, McLauchlan 4, Rowley 2, Hamilton 21, McClanahan 1, Mullion 0. Totals: 19-40 6-12 50. Days Creek................................................6 8 14 17 � 45 Butte Falls................................................14 9 16 11� 50 3-Point goals � Days Creek 1-5 (Dunn). Butte Falls 4-10 (Hamilton 4). Fouled out � Hamilton. Technical foul � Watkins. Reach reporter Greg Stiles at 776-4483, or e-mail [email protected] Mail Tribune Home | Ottaway Newspapers, Inc. | Dow Jones & Co., Inc. | Privacy | Contact Us Copyright � 2001 Mail Tribune, Inc.