MTN Sports power rankings
Boys basketball
Jan. 30, 2023
CLASS AA
1, Billings West (10-1)
2, Bozeman (8-2)
3, Missoula Hellgate (9-2)
4, Helena (8-2)
5, Helena Capital (7-3)
Around Class AA: Since losing at Bozeman Gallatin on Jan. 5, Billings West has been on a tear with eight straight wins and has taken over the top spot in this week's rankings. Previous No. 1 Helena lost on the road at Butte and has slipped to No. 4. Defending state champion Helena Capital won twice and has crept back in at No. 5. No. 2 Bozeman and No. 3 Missoula Hellgate are also two of AA's hottest teams, each with five consecutive wins. Gallatin has fallen out of the rankings after an OT loss to Bozeman.
CLASS A
1, Lewistown (10-0)
2, Butte Central (12-1)
3, Hamilton (11-2)
4, Columbia Falls (11-3)
5, Dillon (10-4)
Around Class A: No. 1 Lewistown and No. 2 Butte Central continue to lead the pack, although the Eagles had two games postponed last week and did not play. There is a newcomer to the rankings this week — No. 5 Dillon. The Beavers have won three in a row and have supplanted Billings Central, which suffered a tough loss at the hands of league rival Hardin. That means there are no teams from the (traditional) east in the top five, at least for one week.
CLASS B
1, Wolf Point (13-0)
2, Missoula Loyola (13-1)
3, Fairfield (12-1)
4, Bigfork (11-3)
5, Lodge Grass (10-3)
6, Columbus (11-3)
7, Huntley Project (9-3)
8, Red Lodge (10-3)
9, Lame Deer (10-4)
10, Rocky Boy (9-4)
Around Class B: Wolf Point keeps on trucking as the only unbeaten team in Class B and remains No. 1 in MTN's rankings this week. The marquee game in Class B last week saw Missoula Loyola knock off Bigfork 48-37, and as a result the Rams hold firm at No. 2 while the Vikings, who had two previous losses to Class A competition, slipped to No. 4. Columbus has seemingly righted its ship and is now No. 6. Lame Deer and Rocky Boy are new to the rankings.
CLASS C
1, Lustre Christian (15-0)
2, Heart Butte (13-0)
3, Fairview (12-1)
4, West Yellowstone (11-1)
5, Manhattan Christian (12-1)
6, Harlowton (13-1)
7, Belt (12-2)
8, Roy-Winifred (11-2)
9, Box Elder (12-2)
10, St. Regis (13-1)
Around Class C: There is very little movement in the Class C rankings, as nine of the top 10 went unbeaten last week. Drummond, following a loss to District 13C rival Seeley-Swan, dropped out of the rankings. New to the poll is No. 10 St. Regis. The Tigers have a rematch with 14C rival Charlo on Friday, which could go a long way to decided the district crown.
For updated boys basketball standings, click here.
