MISSOULA- Alex Covill, Maddy Petrino, and Faith Soden just set a feat that could very well stand for decades. The graduating Hellgate seniors in the class of 2023 never lost a home game. In their entire High School careers. 

The Knights knocked off the top seeded Kalispell Flathead Bravettes 42-36 in a grimy, late season duel on Thursday evening in Missoula. Covill and Alix Mund contributed 8 points each, but that was just a commencement to Chloe Larson’s 20 points. Kennedy Moore tallied 18 for the Bravettes on the night.

“Hard work and pushing each other to be the best we can be everyday has allowed us to get to where we are in the season,” said Covill. “ We hold each other accountable, and we make sure to grow with every loss and win. It’s been an awesome season so far.”  

Covill is now 73 points away from reaching the 1,000 mark for her career, and is averaging 16 points, along with 10 rebounds per game. 

“It’s an awesome feeling,” said Covill. “If you told Freshmen me that I would be 73 points away from hitting that mark, I don’t think I would’ve believed you. My teammates have truly pushed me to become the player that I am today. I can’t thank them enough, and I can’t wait for the next four years to come at WSU.”

Larson jump-started the game by exploding for all 11 Hellgate points in the first quarter. The imposing junior is receiving state-wide recognition following a breakout season, while stepping up and being a key leader to this Knights team. Ranking 6th all time in this year’s AA High School scoring leaders at 240 points, Larson is averaging an intrepid 15 points per game. 

“I’m so grateful for my team, and the support I’ve had,” said Larson. “ That’s truly the only reason I’ve been able to succeed as much as I have this year. It’s super fun knowing my hard work is paying off, while being a leader for the younger girls.” 

Despite Larson’s monster first quarter, the scoreboard showed a 13-11 Flathead lead after the first frame. Hellgate broke away to begin the second quarter of the night, thanks to a Carmen Andersen fast break layup, and an Elly Reed assist to Covill, that forced a Bravette timeout. Halfway through the second eight minutes, the Knights re-took their lead, and never gave it back. At the half, Hellgate led 25-22.

“We had lots of energy, and were just trying to get on a roll,” explained Larson. “With it being senior night, we knew we needed to step it up right away, coming out of the half.” 

Quarter number three was no different than all Hellgate Basketball that has been played this year so far. The Knights’ phenomenal defense held Moore to 0 points, and only 1 point via free throw for Flathead’s roster. Hellgate took advantage of a 4-0 run late in the frame and kept their momentum rolling into the final quarter.

The Bravettes tried to make it interesting in the final four minutes, but Hellgate showed strong. The Knights kept the momentum leading 38-29 halfway through the final frame, which promoted a Flathead timeout. Hellgate then fought off a vicious 4 minutes of full court press basketball. The decisive blow to back off the Bravettes was a sparkling Larson contested jumper late in the contest, that put the game out of reach for Sam Tudor’s team. 

“We have been putting in lots of work in the past few weeks,” said Larson. “Securing our final win to be number one in the West will definitely give us a boost going into divisionals.” 

Hellgate (12-5, 10-3) regained a share of the lead in the Western AA standings heading into the final weekend of regular season games, before the postseason mark. Despite the loss, Kalispell Flathead (13-4, 10-3) still maintains a share of the lead as well, with the edge of a better season record.

Help support these amazing athletes as they look for a deep posteasen run this year, under first year head coach Maddie Keast!!!