GREAT FALLS — Welcome back! It’s Championship Saturday at the State A basketball tournament in Great Falls.
Here’s how things shook Friday for the boys consolation:
- Lockwood 68, Glendive 46,
- Frenchtown 65, Butte Central 51
- Frenchtown 53, Lockwood 45, third place
Follow along here for live scores, highlights, and reaction from the boys championship. The girls championship live blog will go live at the conclusion of the consolation final.
Tom Wylie and Will Charlton are at the Four Seasons Arena for on-site championship coverage.
***UPDATED STATE A SCORES AND PAIRINGS***
9:20 p.m. | HIGHLIGHTS: Billings Central is back on top! (Recap below video)
9:14 p.m. | RECAP
Billings Central closed out a dominant run through the Class A state tournament Saturday night, rolling past Dillon 70-40 in the championship game at Four Seasons Arena.
The Rams used their season-long formula — defense and rebounding — to take control after a competitive first quarter and pull away for their latest state title, continuing a recent trend of championship success in Great Falls.
Central forced 18 turnovers, collected eight steals, and owned the glass with a 29-18 rebounding advantage while limiting Dillon to 15-of-38 shooting. The Rams were efficient offensively, finishing 26 of 53 from the field.
Senior Toby Stewart led all scorers with 23 points, and Darcy Merchant Jr. added 16 as Central’s balanced attack overwhelmed the Beavers. Dillon was paced by Braxtyn Turney’s 15 points, though only four came after halftime as the Rams tightened defensively.
“It’s an amazing feeling … we’ve been here for years and just coming up short,” Stewart said. “Just to be a champ is unreal.”
Merchant, one of several seniors who experienced previous state tournament heartbreak, said the team’s defensive identity carried it to the title.
“It means the world … everything means ten times more when you do it in the state championship game,” he said.
Billings Central broke the game open with a strong second quarter and steadily built its lead throughout the second half, turning the final minutes into a celebration as the Rams secured another Class A championship.
Their last three titles — in 2019, 2021 and 2025 — have come in Great Falls.
8:58 p.m. | FINAL
Billings Central 70, Dillon 40. Wow.
What a thorough domination in the biggest game of the year.
Central's motto all year was: "Defense wins games, rebounds win championship." And that bore out.
8:35 p.m. | THE RAMS ARE UNSTOPPABLE
It's 65-38 with 1:30 left and Central hasn't let up the intensity for one second. These kids can ball.
8:23 p.m. | END OF THE THIRD
Billings Central 48, Dillon 32. Rams are a well-oiled machine. Not allowing any runs and making every Beavers shot very hard. One note: Central's Gunnar Larsen is on the bench with four fouls.
8:12 p.m. | CENTRAL NOT LETTING UP
The Rams have pushed their lead to 36-21 at the halfway point of the third quarter. More of the same: relentless pressure, gobbling up rebounds and finishing in transition.
It's a blueprint that has flustered teams all season long and it has the two-time defending champs trying to play catch up.
7:56 p.m. | RAMS BUILD A HALFTIME LEAD
Billings Central leads Dillon 28-19 at the break. Rams flashing the same defensive intensity they've shown all tournament long. Pressing Dillon in the back court, forcing turnovers and creating transition opportunities.
The Rams outscored the Beavers 17-7 in the second quarter and finished the frame on a 10-0 run. Toby Stewart leading the way with 10 points, Darcy Merchant Jr. has eight for Central. Braxtyn Turney has 11 points for Dillon.
Central has a 16-8 rebounding advantage including seven offensive boards. Important note: Dillon star Aason Munday picked up two quick fouls and only played seven minutes in the first half.
7:41 p.m. | 7-0 RAMS RUN TO START THE SECOND
It's a 7-0 run in the first two minutes of the second. Toby Stewart scored on a driving layup, then Merchant Jr. had an emphatic block on defense. It's 18-12 Rams with with 6:00 remaining in the second quarter.
7:37 p.m. | WE GOT A BATTLE ON OUR HANDS
Dillon held a 12-11 lead after the first quarter. Darcy Merchant Jr. scores two quick buckets to start the second for Billings Central and it's 15-12. Three points is the largest lead for either team.
7:20 p.m. | WE'RE OFF!!
Tipped right at 7:20! Dillon has a 4-1 lead with two minutes gone.
7:04 p.m. | LATE START
The girls consolation final went to double overtime, so this boys title game will tip much later than the scheduled 6:30 p.m. start time.
Five minutes remaining in warm-ups and then we have to get through the team intros. For title games that always include starters, non-starters, head coaches, assistant coaches, team managers, cheerleaders, bus drivers, etc.
I'll predict a 7:20 p.m. tipoff! But will take wagers if anyone has other ideas. Stay tuned.
5:46 p.m. | FANS FILLING THE FOUR SEASONS ARENA
Oh, the weather outside is dreadful. Central Montana is experiencing blizzard conditions, but it hasn't stopped hundreds of fans from filling the Four Seasons Arena.
Dillon and Billings Central are set to clash in the boys title game. These teams faced off in December with the Rams winning big, 68-38. It was part of a 1-4 start for the Beavers.
But Dillon senior Cohen Hartman told us this after the State A semifinals:
"They gave it to us. Honestly, we didn't play very well," he said. "They beat us really bad. So we're excited. We're coming for that title."
The Beavers are back to back state champs, but Billings Central has some history in the Four Seasons arena. The Rams, under head coach Jim Stergar, won both of their last two titles (2019, 2021) in Great Falls.
"I don't know how old these guys were five years ago or whatever it was, but I certainly remember this place," Stergar said. "Being on that floor is something special because we won it with two of my teams and we savor those championships and we've got work to do. These guys deserve one."
4:45 p.m. | FRENCHTOWN TOPS LOCKWOOD FOR THIRD PLACE
Before we dive into the boys championship which tips off at 6:30 p.m., quick update on the consolation final.
Hank Smith scored 19 points and grabbed eight rebounds to lead Frenchtown to a 53-45 win over Lockwood and claim third place at the State A tournament.
