By Ken Adelblue
The Montana Sports Update, Northern News Network
BILLINGS — The basketball programs at Billings Central delivered a statement performance Saturday, sweeping both the boys and girls championships at the Eastern A Divisional Basketball Tournament at MetraPark and reinforcing their status as two of the premier programs in Class A.
Rams roll to boys’ championship
Billings Central’s boys team capped a dominant tournament run with a 67-42 victory over the Glendive Red Devils in the championship game.
The Rams controlled the tournament from start to finish, winning their three divisional games by an average margin of 22 points.
Senior Darcy Merchant led Central with 18 points in the title game, crediting the team’s balance and chemistry for peaking at the right time.
“We’ve got the shooters, the rebounders, the scorers and the passers, everything has to come together when you want to be successful as a team,” Merchant said.
Head coach Jim Stergar pointed to depth as the defining factor in Central’s run.
“Glendive has some really good players. We might be just deeper than them, and attrition kicked in and helps us down the stretch of games,” Stergar said.
The championship secures Billings Central, a top seed heading into the Class A state tournament.
Lady Rams win defensive battle with Havre
The girl’s championship featured another chapter in one of Class A’s most competitive rivalries as the Billings Central Lady Rams faced the Havre Blue Ponies.
In a physical defensive contest, the Lady Rams pulled away late for a 44-36 victory.
Kam Reinker delivered a standout performance, recording a double-double with 23 points and 10 rebounds. After the game, Reinker said matchups with Havre always carry added intensity.
“We just have such a great history together. I mean, every game counts. Divisionals, state, could be just another game, but for us it’s way more than that,” Reinker said.
Lady Rams head coach Jetton Ailes echoed that sentiment, noting games against Havre routinely turn into hard-fought battles.
“They’re high-quality teams, they’re well coached, and it’s always a battle. They’ve got great players, they’ve got competitors. You can never get too comfortable, and that’s what makes you a better coach and a better player,” Ailes said.
State tournament field takes shape
Along with Billings Central, the Eastern A girls qualifiers advancing to state are the Hardin Bulldogs and the Laurel Locomotives.
On the boy’s side, the Lockwood Lions and the Miles City Cowboys claimed the third and fourth qualifying spots.
With both Rams squads capturing divisional crowns in commanding fashion, Billings Central heads into the state tournament carrying significant momentum, and the look of programs built for another deep season run.
