GREAT FALLS – One thing outdated, plenty of new.
That's the theme of the Class C boys state basketball event, which will get a bounce on all different state motion Wednesday at 4 Seasons Enviornment.
Two-time defending state champion Manhattan Christian is again within the hunt for fifth general, and in a loaded subject, the Eagles look as highly effective as anybody. However the one different returnee is Luster Christian; two packages, Fairview and Lone Peak, moved to Class B.
One other six waited their flip, in a number of instances for 4 many years.
Whereas Manhattan Christian will definitely put on the proverbial bull's-eye, that honor may also belong to the one undefeated group within the subject, Field Elder, which has swept by means of 23 opponents and by no means been on the point of defeat.
Right here's a better take a look at the State C boys event:
Phrases: Wednesday-Saturday
web site: 4 Seasons Enviornment, Nice Falls
champion 2023: Manhattan Christian
Subject 2024: Field Elder (23-0), Harlowton-Ryegate-Judith Hole (19-4), Harrison (17-7), Luster Christian (23-1), Manhattan Christian (23-1), Melstone (18-5), Plentywood (22-2), Winnett-Grass Vary (21-5).
Plot traces
Three Peat for Eagles?: Though Field Elder stole the common season highlight, it wouldn't shock anybody if Manhattan Christian took dwelling the {hardware} for the third 12 months in a row and fifth general. The Eagles misplaced solely to Manhattan, which earned a berth within the Class B state event. Manhattan Christian, winner of six straight division crowns, has 4 single-digit wins this winter, two towards Class B Three Forks and two towards District 12C rival and one other event Harrison. Mason Venema (18.6 ppg), the group's solely senior, and Christian Triemstra (16.1 ppg) proved to be a formidable tandem for the Eagles, who certified for his or her tenth straight state event.
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Bears In search of Perfection: This isn’t unfamiliar territory for Field Elder, who gained state championships in 2014 and 2016 beneath native legend Brandon The Boy, who’s now an assistant coach with the Bears. Behind their newest legend, They observe down Jilot (31.0 ppg) and a succesful helper Tuarie Stiffarm-Rosette (17.6 ppg), Field Elder dominated the Hello-Line, solely two groups reached single digits and the casualties embrace 4 Class B groups. Jilot's 63-point outburst towards Fort Benton in January was the best amongst girls and boys within the state this winter. Field Elder's conquests embrace a 28-point rout of the division over the Winnett-Grass Vary.
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Engineers Reborn: First it was a soccer group that received off the mat to advance to the 6-man state semifinals, and now it's a basketball program that can expertise a renaissance alongside the outdated Milwaukee Highway. A balanced group led by three key seniors, Harlowton-Ryegate-Judith Hole saved its finest sport for final, beating archrival Melstone by 5 factors for the district crown and repeating its efficiency by 20 for its first division championship since 1985 and first state . berth since 2009. Bergen Myssea soccer star, he engineers the offense at quarterback, and the supporting forged is filled with succesful expertise Joe Alvarez, Kenya Davis and different soccer stars Angus Glenniewho’s again in full swing after being slowed by sickness in January and early February.
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Are you following these ponies?: The Harrison boys' first-ever state event look prompted references to the guide “Blind Your Ponies,” which facilities on the basketball program at Willow Creek — till this 12 months, in co-op with Harrison. Willow Creek is now partnered with Whitehall, however the lack of some depth hasn't stopped the Wildcats from having the best season at school historical past. A prolific trio Aaron DeFrance, Gavin Hokanson and Andrew Bacon confirmed that all or any three can explode for 20 factors or extra on any given evening. Harrison began the season 5-5 however has gained 12 of its final 14, falling solely to Manhattan Christian by six and 25 factors within the district and division finals.
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Ram arduous: Winnett-Grass Vary did it the arduous manner, defeating Belt on Feb. 26 — after dropping twice to the Huskies — in a troublesome sport, however the rewarding consequence was its first state berth in 15 years. The Rams had been carried all season the Bantz brothers, Brady (18.2 ppg) and Jack (15.3 ppg), every able to a 30-point evening. Jace Darkish offers stellar backup with 13.6 ppg. The Winnett-Grass Vary suffered formidable foes: Belt (twice), Melstone, Jordan and the undefeated Field Elder.
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Turning the Lions to Roar?: Aside from Manhattan Christian, no group within the subject has a greater two-year run than Luster Christian, which entered final 12 months's event 23-0 earlier than being upset by eventual runner-up Large Sandy and arriving this time with a glowing 23-1 document. mark. The Lions responded to their solely loss, to Scobey, by knocking off the Spartans twice, first by 15 factors after which 38-37 within the division ultimate. Luster Christian involves opposition from all instructions, p Johnslee Pierre (15.6 ppg) Terran Joseph (10.0 ppg) a Cayden Klatt (9.9 ppg) to steer a balanced assault.
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The Lengthy Approach Residence: Talking of scenic highway, the Melstone Broncs had been on the brink — first needing a division sport towards Jordan on Monday to have an opportunity at state, then trailing the Mustangs by 11 at halftime. The Trifle. Guided Nolan Kamerman, who constantly offers about 20 ppg — which is precisely what Jordan is — the Broncs have proven their resilience all through a season that started with a loss to Plentywood. Melstone have gained 12 of their final 15 video games, all three defeats by Harlowton-Ryegate-Judith GaMr.
Wild cats on the hunt: Additionally lurking out of Northeastern Montana is Plentywood, which enters with simply two losses — the primary to Savage when the Warriors had been on tempo and the second to Luster Christian within the division ultimate. Victims embrace one-time primary Scobey and the aforementioned Savage. Decrease class Carson Solberg (15.0 ppg), Landon Flickinger (12.6) a Noah Murray (9.9) carried the scoring load for the Wildcats, who’ve simply two seniors.
The crystal ball says…: The consensus is that the event is extra open than in current reminiscence. With back-to-back titles and expertise, Manhattan Christian has the sting, however Field Elder has been unbeaten all season and Luster Christian is lurking. These three stand out with their shiny boards – however not by a lot.
