No. 4 Billings Skyview shows continuing evolution in win over Billings Senior – 406mtsports.com

BILLINGS The evolution of the Billings Skyview girls basketball program has several layers.

Among them, ending a lengthy state tournament drought last season, a defense that went from ranked 11th in a 15-team league last year to fourth out of 16 teams this year, and the development of Brooke Berry as a facilitator as opposed to simply a scorer.

Building on that theme is the continued emergence of 6-foot-2 freshman Breanna Williams, who led the Falcons with a career-high 23 points in in fourth-ranked Skyviews 55-47 win over Billings Senior Friday night at the Skyview gym.

Williams ran the floor, picked off nine rebounds and generally seemed to always be in the right place at the right time to be on the receiving end of a couple of Berrys six assists.

I trust her with the ball and with every single thing she does, said Berry, who entered the game leading Class AA in scoring (18.8 ppg) and assists (5.0 apg). I mean, shes a very balanced player. Shes definitely learned how to play off me and weve developed that relationship to where she knows when Im going to drive and exactly where to go where Im going to find her.

The Falcons, who improved to 8-3, find themselves tied for second in the Eastern AA with Bozeman. Theyve won seven of eight and earned their fourth consecutive win over the Broncs.

It was a smooth night offensively for Skyview, which also received 15 points from Berry and seven from MG Spotted Bear. But it also seemed like the Falcons could never shake Senior, which was still within four points with two minutes to go after a basket by Allie Cummings trimmed what had been a 10-point Skyview lead.

Senior brought it, I mean, they just flat out brought it, Skyview coach Brent Montague said. I thought our girls did a really good job withstanding that, that wave after wave. We did some good things and found a way.

The Broncs saw their three-game winning streak end despite 22 points from Cummings, who hit four 3-pointers. They slipped to 5-5 and two games behind Great Falls (with four to play) for fourth place and the chance to host a playoff game.

Things wont get any easier, either. Senior plays Saturday at home against third-ranked Billings West, which is unbeaten at 11-0.

Though his team never led after it was 14-13 to end the second quarter, Broncs coach Connor Silliker said he sees progression from his team.

(The Falcons) had some extended runs that we had a hard time keeping up with, but Im proud of my girls, honestly, he said. Allie Cummings had a hell of a game, she really did it on both ends of the floor and was a scrapper for us and made some big plays.

I think were growing. If that game shows anything, its that we can compete with some of these upper echelon teams in the conference.

Billings Skyviews Breanna Williams drives on the baseline during a game against Billings Senior Friday, Feb. 19, 2021, at Skyview High School.

Billings Skyviews Brooke Berry tries to cross up a defender against Billings Senior Friday, Feb. 19, 2021, at Skyview High School.

Billings Seniors Brenna Linse tries to make space for a shot against Billings Skyview Friday, Feb. 19, 2021, at Skyview High School.

Billings Skyview coach Brent Montague and his team cheer during a game against Billings Senior Friday, Feb. 19, 2021, at Skyview High School.

Billings Seniors Brenna Linse tries to make space between multiple defenders against Billings Skyview Friday, Feb. 19, 2021, at Skyview High School.

Billings Seniors Allie Cummings splits the defense on her way to the basket against Billings Skyview Friday, Feb. 19, 2021, at Skyview High School.

Billings Skyviews Breanna Williams puts in a layup against Billings Senior Friday, Feb. 19, 2021, at Skyview High School.

Billings Seniors Lauren Cummings launches a jumper against Billings Skyview Friday, Feb. 19, 2021, at Skyview High School.

Billings Seniors Allie Cummings attempts a floater against Billings Skyview Friday, Feb. 19, 2021, at Skyview High School.

Billings Skyviews Allie Montague wrestles for the ball with multiple defenders against Billings Senior Friday, Feb. 19, 2021, at Skyview High School.

Billings Senior head coach Connor Silliker cheers on his team during an offensive run against Skyview Friday, Feb. 19, 2021, at Skyview High School.

Billings Skyviews Allie Montague takes a deep jump shot against Billings Senior Friday, Feb. 19, 2021, at Skyview High School.

Billings Skyviews Jessi Henckel shoots a short jumper against Billings Senior Friday, Feb. 19, 2021, at Skyview High School.

Billings Seniors Lauren Cummings takes a fast break the other way against Billings Skyview Friday, Feb. 19, 2021, at Skyview High School.

Billings Skyviews Morning Grace Spotted Bear drives past a defender against Billings Senior Friday, Feb. 19, 2021, at Skyview High School.

Billings Skyviews Brooke Berry drives to the basket before pulling up for a floater against Billings Senior Friday, Feb. 19, 2021, at Skyview High School.

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No. 4 Billings Skyview shows continuing evolution in win over Billings Senior - 406mtsports.com