Strong defensive performance propels Lady Wolves to first conference win

It was a fantastic start to 2025 for the Three Forks High School Girls' Basketball team.

In their first game since December 20, the Lady Wolves (3-3, 1-2 5B) were strong from the start on their way to a 43-24 home victory on January 2 against visiting Townsend.

It was quite the defensive performance for Three Forks, who, after taking a 14-7 lead at the end of the first quarter, allowed just four points in the second quarter and led 27-11 at halftime.

Leading 35-20 at the end of three quarters, the Lady Wolves would again just give up four points in the final quarter on their way to the 19-point victory.

"I am so excited about the way they came out. We talked about ball pressure and rebounding, and they were ready to do it. I think that's the best defense we've played all season," Head Coach Shayla Stemple said.

Madelyn Tesoro led the team with 21 points, Devynn Judd had eight, and Hailey Williams and Bella Jones finished with four. Izzy Harris, Maya Noble, and Arabella McCauley all had two points in the conference win.

Following the win, Stemple said she was happy with how the team performed after not playing for two weeks.

"We've been practicing, but a game is different. For them to come out with that intensity after the break was good. Our first conference win, it's so exciting. Townsend is always a tough battle, and we knew it was going to be, so to get a win is great," Stemple said.

The Lady Wolves postponed a January 4 matchup at West Yellowstone due to road conditions.

Three Forks will be on the road this week, playing at Whitehall on Friday, January 10, and Lodge Grass on January 11.