BILLINGS — The unbeaten Lodge Grass boys rolled past Three Forks 66-43 in the Southern B divisional title game Saturday at First Interstate Bank Arena at MetraPark.
TJ Gros Ventre led the Indians with 20 points and said the team’s trust in each other helped spark the decisive win after a slow start.
“Confidence. We came out with confidence. We didn’t have a very good first quarter or second quarter, but we came out with confidence, and all the fans and the bench had a lot of energy, and it went from there,” Gros Ventre said.
Tyson Grogan, TJ’s father and the head coach for the Indians, said his team simply enjoys playing the game.
“They had fun, and that’s what we preach — have fun on offense and work hard on defense,” Grogan said.
Lodge Grass and Three Forks will be joined at the State B tournament in Bozeman by St. Labre and Shepherd.
Lady Spartans romp
On the girls side, top-ranked Baker got another impressive performance from Madison and Avery O’Connor, who combined for 51 points in a 79-38 win over Ennis in the title game.
Baker head coach Jay Shoemaker took time to recognize the supporting cast around the standout sisters.
“At any given time, the players we put on the court are going to knock down that open three,” Shoemaker said. “And on the defensive side, everything from baseline to baseline, they’re going to get in your grill, harass you and create the transition that we really thrive on.”
Big Timber and defending state champion Huntley Project also secured bids to the state tournament.
Still to be decided
A challenge game Monday evening between the Fairfield and Malta boys will determine who joins Northern B champion Harlem in Bozeman.
Anaconda is the Western B champion, while three-time defending state champion Missoula Loyola faces a challenge game against Troy.
On the girls side, Glasgow and Poplar will meet in a challenge game to determine who joins Northern B champion Malta at state, while Florence and Missoula Loyola have secured bids from the West.
By Ken Adelblue
The Montana Sports Update, Northern News Network
