Rediscovering high school hoops

[BelgradeBobcat]

Maybe one positive side effect of MSU basketball's doldrums is getting back into high school hoops a little bit. Just got back from Butte where my alma mater Manhattan Christian kept their undefeated season going with a nice win over a very quick, skilled, and athletic Arlee team. It was Arlee's first loss. The Warriors are going to state anyway as they already beat 3rd place Twin Bridges. The Maroon Activity Center was packed to the gills. It was hot, crowded, and uncomfortable, and absolutely wonderful. Christian has a nice team-good guards and good size and strength inside. After the boys game we watched the Gardiner girls come from a play in game to Western C champs-upsetting Twin Bridges. It was pretty amazing run for the Bruins. Twin now has to play Harrison-Willow Creek at Manhattan Christian's gym in a challenge game Monday. Harrison has Britt Cooper-a very very good player. I think she's going to Western. I think she could play for the Bobcats-but what do I know.

Then on the way home we picked up the Central A title game on the radio as the teams were finishing up the first overtime. Belgrade got some separation from Havre in the 2nd OT and got the 5 point win. Dane Warp had 41 points for Havre! Belgrade has a pretty long and athletic team-they've definitely got a chance though I think Dillon is the favorite.

So in two weeks my alma mater will be playing in Billings and my wife and kid's alma mater will be playing in Bozeman at MSU. We might have to make some tough decisions on what games to go to.

Tournament time is much fun!

[Cat Grad]

I notice my old high school won the Central A and both Columbia Falls teams won the NWA titles. It ought to be interesting to see how Craig's brother Cary juggles time between the fieldhouse and Hamilton this year. Havre again has two kids (one on the boys and one on the girls) so far ahead of their peers it seems a shame. (But like you, what do I know).

I would suppose the two Havre kids will find their way to Miss Lulu eventually and enjoy fine collegiate careers or go out of state.

Do you think the Whitesell girl from Arlee stands a chance at the next level? Both her dad and grandfather played collegiate sports so the genetics are there. Any other small school kids Selvig will turn into All Conference players nobody knows about?

[BelgradeBobcat]

I would suppose the two Havre kids will find their way to Miss Lulu eventually and enjoy fine collegiate careers or go out of state.

Do you think the Whitesell girl from Arlee stands a chance at the next level? Both her dad and grandfather played collegiate sports so the genetics are there. Any other small school kids Selvig will turn into All Conference players nobody knows about?

My thought when seeing what some of these kids are doing: There's some more players that MSU won't recruit. We'd rather go after some kid in a big metro area who couldn't find Bozeman on a map and who has probably been passed over by a dozen other D-1 schools.

[Cat Grad]

I would suppose the two Havre kids will find their way to Miss Lulu eventually and enjoy fine collegiate careers or go out of state.

Do you think the Whitesell girl from Arlee stands a chance at the next level? Both her dad and grandfather played collegiate sports so the genetics are there. Any other small school kids Selvig will turn into All Conference players nobody knows about?

My thought when seeing what some of these kids are doing: There's some more players that MSU won't recruit. We'd rather go after some kid in a big metro area who couldn't find Bozeman on a map and who has probably been passed over by a dozen other D-1 schools.

Yes sir! Belgrade and Manhattan always had great teams when there were a few Churchill-Amsterdam kids on their teams. Willow Creek and Harrison usually had girls who tore up what the Lady Cats recruited (they went elsewhere). The only Valley girl I remember was my barbers daughter who played for Three Forks. Where are the Townsend girls from the last few years playing?

We've got some Montana girls playing in Washington right now that I promise you Selvig gets to Missoula. What they don't have in fundamentals out of high school he'll teach.

With the Griz in town and State A next week, MSU ought to be a basketball center for the state.

[bobcat99]

Those Dutch boys can usually play pretty well. Helps that they have a very good coach though, I'm really impressed by him. It's too bad they couldn't have played Belgrade, would've been a good game. Hopefully I'll be able to make it to state. I remember going when they had Klompein and Venhuizen playing against Mike Chavez from Heart Butte. Man those were fun teams to watch.

[kwcat]

I will be headed to state C next week in Billings to watch Fairview. They play in the same semi final bracket as MC and play the number two team out of the south. Am curious to see how good the south will be.

Watched MC Twin game in district.

31 years ago I played at the Brick when Fairview was still B. Was a big deal in my life at the time. Sure hope all the kids bring home good memories.

[BelgradeBobcat]

31 years ago I played at the Brick when Fairview was still B. Was a big deal in my life at the time. Sure hope all the kids bring home good memories.

Did you happen to play with or know Roger Taylor? He was senior at Concordia College in Moorhead, MN when I was a freshman (I went there for 2 years before transferring to MSU). Roger was from Fairview I believe-and a very good player for the Cobbers.

I got to play in the Fieldhouse at State my senior year. It was quite a thrill.

[kwcat]

31 years ago I played at the Brick when Fairview was still B. Was a big deal in my life at the time. Sure hope all the kids bring home good memories.

Did you happen to play with or know Roger Taylor? He was senior at Concordia College in Moorhead, MN when I was a freshman (I went there for 2 years before transferring to MSU). Roger was from Fairview I believe-and a very good player for the Cobbers.

I got to play in the Fieldhouse at State my senior year. It was quite a thrill.

Rodger was a team and classmate. We graduated together in 84

[Cataholic]

AA Boys and AA Girls State Hoops in Butte this week! Looking forward to watching Tres Tinkle who has committed to play for his dad at Oregon State. I saw a list that he is one of the top 50 recruits in the west. I saw him play and he is the real deal. Took a pass at the wing, made a move on his guy, drove the lane and jammed it! Next possession hits a three. Should be fun to watch this weekend.

[BelgradeBobcat]

The State C Tournament is absolutely loaded this year. It's tough to pick a favorite-they're all favorite. Here's a nice preview:

https://seanryanbroadcasting.wordpress. ... -billings/

[John K]

The State C Tournament is absolutely loaded this year. It's tough to pick a favorite-they're all favorite. Here's a nice preview:

https://seanryanbroadcasting.wordpress. ... -billings/

Highwood might have been the best Class C team in the state this season, but two of their best players transferred to GF Central. Poetic justice was served though, as Highwood placed 2nd at the Northern C, while GFC lost out in 2 games. District 8C was loaded this year, as their teams finished 1-2-4 at divisional.

[kwcat]

The State C Tournament is absolutely loaded this year. It's tough to pick a favorite-they're all favorite. Here's a nice preview:

https://seanryanbroadcasting.wordpress. ... -billings/

Thanks for the link. Nice article. I will be headed down in am.

[BelgradeBobcat]

Well my weekend free'd up some. MCHS bombs out against Highwood and Belgrade can't overcome a horrendous 3rd quarter and comes up free throws short against Laurel. Imma quit hoops-it's just not working out for me.

Butte Central pulls off the upset of the day beating C-Falls. Typical BC team-lots of moxy. Marcus Ferriter is as good as anybody inside-a real load. If he's a better football player than basketball player the Bobcats really have something!

[BelgradeBobcat]

Belgrade loses another heart breaker against C-Falls. Called for a foul in the last second and C-Falls hits the free throws to win by 2. How cruel for Belgrade. They had really bad 3rd quarters in both their games and they're out. Every close call-a three at the end of the quarter, a couple 3's that were called 2's and close foul call-every little break went against them. So instead of playing BC in the semi-final-a team they beat twice relatively easily, they are done. Laurel so far is cruising against BC.

Manhattan Christian pulled themselves up by their bootstraps and beat Broadview-Lavina by 20 this afternoon. They await the loser of Arlee and Belt. One loss between those 2. Fairview so far is in control against Highwood in the 1st semi.

Looks like we're going to go over for the games in Billings tomorrow anyway. Seeing those little schools play in the Metra is quite the contrast. Class C is super fun.

[BelgradeBobcat]

Not much separation between these Class A schools. Butte Central rallies but falls just short against Laurel, and Havre loses to Dillon by 2. Every game it seems has been decided by a possession or two. No clear best team in Class A. Even Polson, coming in with a losing record gave Dillon all they wanted.

In the C-Fairview holds on to beat Highwood, but it got close at the end, and then Arlee almost comes back against Belt but loses by only 2. So Fairview plays Belt in the final. Arlee has a rematch with Manhattan Christian tomorrow morning at 11 with only 3 losses between the two teams. Westby-Grenora plays Highwood in the early morning game. I've played in those early morning games. You really have to motivate yourself because its a pretty sleepy atmosphere.