Huge fourth quarter propels Three Forks to win

The Three Forks High School Girls' Basketball team saved the best for last in a 44-38 home win on January 26 over Whitehall.

Trailing at the end of each of the first three quarters, the Wolves outscored the visiting Trojans 18-9 in the final quarter.

"We figured out our defense by the fourth quarter, and that really helped us out. We got some key steals, and they just played smart defensively in the fourth, which helped us turn it around on offense. I felt a little more maturity from the team came out, and I had young girls out there at the end, and they played like older girls," Head Coach Lacy Noble said.

Three Forks would take their first lead of the game at 34-33 when Kylie Rowan found an open Eva Parker for an uncontested basket. Noble said Rowan sees the floor well and can find open teammates.

"She sees four teammates every time down the court, and she makes phenomenal passes," Noble said.

After Whitehall retook the lead at 35-34, Three Forks would regain the lead for good after a Tanaya Hauser three-pointer.

Noble praised the play of Hauser, who battled an injury in the final quarter and still had a team-high 14 points.

"She's a tough kid, and she's starting to figure out what the team needs from her. I think tonight she understood when she had to pass and when she needed it in her hands. Mentally, I think she is getting tougher. She's played in a lot of pain every night, and she gets through it. She's a great kid," Noble said.

Maddie Tesoro was also in double figures with 13. Bella Jones, Parker, and Devynn Judd each finished with four points. Fallon Page added three, and Bri Warren finished with two.

Noble was pleased with the bench play against the Trojans.

"Our legs are tired at this point in the season. So being able to buy minutes when were are going hard is huge," Noble said.

Three Forks (5-9, 3-5 5B) fell 60-48 on the road Friday at Jefferson.

Hauser led the team with 13 points, and Jones added 11. Judd finished with eight, Warren had seven, Tesoro had five, Page added two, and Brielle Davis had two.

The Wolves will host rival Manhattan on February 2 and on the road on February 4 against Townsend.