By Danny Waldo
While many fans were happily on their way to warmer destinations for Spring Break, a few hundred filled the Belgrade Special Events Center for one final night of high schools hoops before putting the 2016 season to bed.
And for those fans in attendance, they were in for quite a treat.
The 3rd annual Pro Chiropractic Valley Showcase presented by Gallatin Valley Hoops once again pitted the top high school basketball players in the Gallatin and Paradise Valleys against each other, but this year’s contests were the most hotly contested of the short series thanks to a few wrinkles by game founder, Danny Waldo.
For the third installment of the Valley Showcase, teams were formed in an East vs. West rivalry format, as opposed to years past in which players were mixed amongst each other. Waldo also instituted a traveling trophy presented to the winning team for extra motivation, and top high school coaches were brought in to coach the teams as well, including Bozeman’s Erika Gustavsen, straight off a state championship with the Lady Hawks.
The result was two tightly contested battles that included high-caliber offense coupled with stingy defense, with both West teams earning comeback victories.
In the girls’ game, the East team, comprised of girls from Bozeman, Livingston, Shields Valley and Gardiner, staked themselves to a 30-20 halftime advantage, but the West outscored them in the second half, 41-29 to earn the victory, 61-59. Four Lady Hawks scored in the contest, led by freshman Kyle Olson who finished with 11 points. Tyler Olson and Riana Rogers chipped in nine points apiece, and Amber Tarabochia contributed four.
The boys’ game was much the same, with the East team racing out to a 22-7 first quarter advantage before the West began to claw back into it, cutting the first half deficit to 35-26 at the break. The West kept pouring it on in the third quarter, outscoring the East 26-15 in the third to take the lead heading into the fourth, 52-50. From there, a balanced offensive and defensive attack allowed the West to walk away with the win, 74-66. Bozeman’s lone representative in the game, Lance McCutcheon scored seven points for the East, including a thunderous highlight reel dunk in the third quarter.
Awards were once again handed out for Gallatin Valley Hoops Coach of the Year and Player of the Year, in addition to a 3-pt. shooting contest and skills contest. Bozeman’s Wes Holmquist and Erika Gustavsen took home the Coach of the Year honors for the boys and girls, respectfully, while Lady Hawk Kyle Olson took home the skill title for the girls as well.
Danny Waldo is a sports fanatic and can be found at most local sporting events. Connect with him via twitter at @GallatinValleyH or via email at bozemansports@gmail.com.
