HELENA– The Helena High girls basketball team won it’s second straight state title after beating Missoula Sentinel by a score of 53 to 49 in March. Bengals head coach Eric Peterson credited the title win to his team’s ability to play with just the right amount of intensity.
“I’ve just never had a team that’s had as much fun as these guys,” said Peterson. “If you’ve been watching us throughout the year, you’ve seen smiles on their faces and when they play free and lose like they did tonight, the product is what it was right there.”
Great Falls CMR nabbed their first boys basketball state title since 2010 beating the Bozeman Hawks by a score of 81 to 69, a final score that Rustlers head coach John Cislo had to see to believe.
“When you’ve got seniors like we do, they’re going to be able to weather that storm,” said Cislo. “When we were playing young kids about 2, 3 years ago, that would have been tough on us. And right now, hey, we’re state champs, and if you’d told me we’d give up 69 and win, I‘d tell you, you’re nuts.”
Last but not least, the Helena Capital Bruins snapped a drought of over 15 years after the Bruins volleyball team took down the Bozeman Hawks to claim the state title.
“It’s hard to put words to it,” said Bruins head coach Rebecca Cleveland. “I would just say, I knew it was doable, but it feels so sweet and I can’t wait to celebrate with the girls.”
