Rocky Boy looks for more success at loaded Northern B

While much of the focus statewide when it comes to high school basketball will be on the four state tournaments that will take place this weekend, there is still some divisional basketball to be played.

And when it comes to divisional basketball in Class B, there are few tournaments more exciting than the Northern B. The girls Northern B took place last weekend, but starting Thursday in Cut Bank, the boys will have their tournament, with three berths in next weekend’s Class B state tournament on the line.

The action will include two Hi-Line teams, as Rocky Boy, the champion of the 1B and the top seed on its side of the bracket, takes on Harlem, the fourth-seeded team from the 2B Thursday to tip off the tournament at 1 p.m. The other first-round matchups include Glasgow (No. 2 2B) vs Shelby (No. 3 1B) at 2:30 p.m. Thursday, followed by Malta, the top-seeded team from the 2B against Choteau, the fourth-place team from the 1B at 6:30. The final game Thursday night will feature Cut Bank, the second-place team from the 1B, taking on Poplar, the fourth-seeded team from the 2B at 8.

When it comes to finding favorites in the Northern B, it can be difficult because the competition between schools is so close. Yet Malta, which ran away from the field at the District 2B tournament has to be considered a favorite to at least finish among the top three teams along with Rocky Boy.

The Stars, who won the always hard-fought District 1B championship two weeks ago, boast a talented starting five that features big man Kendall Windy Boy, as well as Kordell Small, Jerell Gopher, Chase Corcoran and Ben Iron Eyes. Led by head coach Adam Demontiney, the Stars are heavy favorites to knock off Harlem in the opening round. The Wildcats, who have just a handful of wins all season, will be led by Corbin Brockie.

If Rocky Boy wins, it will face either Glasgow or Shelby in the semifinals. The Scotties lost big to Malta in the 2B championship. The Coyotes, on the other hand, may be the third-place team from the 1B, but in terms of talent Shelby is as good as anybody. Led by former Havre High standout Tom Reynolds, who resides on the bench, Shelby brings a strong team into the tournament and a roster that includes T.J. Reynolds, Aaron White, Zach Torgerson, Logan Watson and Andrew Johnson.

Reynolds coached many of these same kids to the state tournament a season ago, so it would be no surprise to see Shelby make a run as a return trip. Cut Bank, the host, won’t be a overwhelming favorite against Poplar, but with Seth Omsberg, one of the best players in the tournament and the home-court advantage, the Wolves are favored to advance.

Finally, Malta is led by Nate Costin, as well as a slew of other solid players. The Mustangs have been among the top teams in Class B during the closing stretch of the season and they will start their march toward the state tournament after missing out the past few seasons.

Yet Malta’s road won’t be easy, even as it plays fourth-seeded Choteau. The Bulldogs are the defending Class B state champions and despite heavy losses to graduation, electrifying scorer Darren Garcia gives them a fighting chance.

The four winners from Thursday’s games will meet in the semifinals Friday night at 6:30 and 8. The third-place game, which will be a fight for the last berth at state will be 6:30 Saturday night, followed by the championship game at 8.

Northern B

at Cut Bank High School

Thursday

Game 1: Rocky Boy vs. Harlem, 1 p.m.

Game 2: Shelby vs. Glasgow, 2:30 p.m.

Game 3: Malta vs. Choteau, 6:30 p.m.

Game 4: Poplar vs. Cut Bank, 8 p.m.

Friday

Game 5: Game 1 loser vs. Game 2 loser, 1 p.m.

Game 6: Game 3 loser vs. Game 4 loser, 2:30 p.m.

Game 7: Game 1 winner vs. Game 2 winner, 6:30 p.m.

Game 8: Game 3 winner vs. Game 4 winner, 8 p.m.

Saturday

Game 9: Game 6 winner vs. Game 7 loser, 9:30 a.m.

Game 10: Game 5 winner vs. Game 8 loser, 11 a.m.

Game 11: Game 9 winner vs. Game 10 winner, 6:30 p.m., third place

Game 12: Game 7 winner vs. Game 8 winner, 8 p.m., championship