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***
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 just we savor those championships and we 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.
