BILLINGS, MT - The 2nd and final week of state basketball tournaments get started on Thursday as this week's Game Plan features 5 more state titles up for grabs including all for classes of girls' hoops.
CLASS AA
BOYS TOURNAMENT IN BOZEMAN
To say that West enters this tournament as a favorite would be an understatement. Not to add any pressure to the Golden Bears, but honestly, aside from one hiccup against Bozeman this season, West has looked, and has been, unbeatable.
Led by Danny Robison down low, who many believe will ultimately be this year's Player of the Year, along with a slew of great role players inside and out, West looks prime to not only make their 6th straight appearance in the AA title game, but also to snap that annoying 3 game skid in the Saturday night finale.
Senior does have the skill and speed to keep up with anyone, and if that 3 point shot is falling for the Broncs, look for them to possibly lock up against their rival in the championship.
Western Montana's hope lies with Glacier who come in at 17-3 and the top seed on that side, but keep an eye open for Capital, who could challenge West in the semifinal.
One team not here worth mentioning is Skyview as the Falcons were shocked in their playoff game by Great Falls 48-46. Had they made it many believed it was the Falcons who, given their size and ability, could have given West their toughest game.
FIRST ROUND MATCHUPS THURSDAY:
12:00 - SENIOR VS FLATHEAD
1:30 - GLACIER VS GREAT FALLS
6:30 - CAPITAL VS CMR
8:00 - WEST VS HELLGATE
CLASS AA
GIRLS TOURNAMENT IN BOZEMAN
I am not sure if I have ever looked at a tournament and thought that there is almost no way that one certain team could possibly lose it. This year Bozeman's girls have been that good, and that much better than everybody else entering this tournament undefeated and winning on an average margain of almost 21 points per game.
CMR enters with the 2nd best record in the field (17-4), but even the Lady Rustlers lost to Bozeman twice this season by 26 and 29 points.
The closest game Bozeman had all year came early against Helena Capital in the first game of the season as the Lady Hawks only squeaked by in that one by 3, however, Bozeman won't even have to worry about them as they failed to make state.
FIRST ROUND MATCHUPS THURSDAY:
9:00 AM - CMR VS MISSOULA BIG SKY
10:30 AM - SENTINEL VS BUTTE
3:30 PM - SENIOR VS HELENA
5:00 PM - BOZEMAN VS GLACIER
CLASS A
STATE TOURNAMENT IN BUTTE
Butte Central gets to defend their title at home this season as the Lady Maroons will be looking to repeat. The hottest team coming into this tournament, however, is last season's runner-up as the Lady Loco's have hit their stride. Winners of 11 straight, Laurel looks poised to make another championship run and will be looking to avenge last season's title game defeat.
On the other side of the bracket is Billings Central who definitely have the talent to win it all, so keep an eye out on the Lady Rams in this tournament. Havre has been playing well, but come in with their lack of experience in question and will have to utilize their youth as a strength if they hope to make it to Saturday night.
There is another interesting storyline coming into this tournament as the Dillon girls could make history for Beaverhead County High School as only one school in Montana history has ever won football and both basketball state championships in one year. That trivia nugget, (via KRTV's @RichieMelby on Twitter) was Glendive back in 1977.
FIRST ROUND MATCHUPS THURSDAY:
12:30 - BILLINGS CENTRAL VS HAVRE
2:00 - DILLON VS POLSON
6:30 - FRENCHTOWN VS BUTTE CENTRAL
8:00 - LAUREL VS BELGRADE
CLASS B
STATE TOURNAMENT IN HAMILTON
For five straight seasons either Malta or Fairfield have left the Class B tourney's with the state trophy. In the last 3 tournaments, those two did battle in the title game. All signs point to a fourth consecutive meeting this season.
Fairfield has won 3 of the past 4 state titles with Malta taking home the crown in 2007 and 2010. My guess is those two meet again as the Lady Eagles have been flying throughout the season, but the M'Ettes will be eager to avenge their loss at divisional's as well as last season's championship game.
Don't be completely shocked, however, if Townsend or Missoula Loyola get in the way after their big wins at divisionals.
FIRST ROUND MATCHUPS THURSDAY:
12:30 - TOWNSEND VS BIGFORK
2:00 - COLUMBUS VS FAIRFIELD
6:30 - THREE FORKS VS MALTA
8:00 - MISSOULA LOYOLA VS MANHATTAN
CLASS C
STATE TOURNAMENT IN GREAT FALLS
The Class C tournament appears to be the most wide open of the weekend with many pegging Twin Bridges and Belt as the favorites.
The Thursday matchup to watch will be at 2:00 when Twin Bridges will get an early test as they'll do battle against Winnett-Grass Range. The Lady Rams have played well throughout and nearly upended Belt at divisionals so maybe this will be WGR's turn to cut down the nets.
The Lady Warriors will be seeking to make it a clean sweep for Fairview after the boys won state last week in Billings. Again, not many gave the Warriors much of a chance going into that boys tourney at Metra, so maybe the girls will do the exact same this week in Great Falls.
FIRST ROUND MATCHUPS THURSDAY:
12:30 - FAIRVIEW VS ST. LABRE
2:00 - TWIN BRIDGES VS WINNETT-GRASS RANGE
6:30 - EKALAKA VS CULBERTSON
8:00 - BELT VS ENNIS
