Fast Start: Bears cruise into semis

GREAT FALLS — It may have been 18 years since the Box Elder girls basketball team has played in a state tournament. But that didn’t stop the Lady Bears from looking right at home in their opening-round game Thursday in Great Falls.

Box Elder, which came into the Class C state tournament with just one loss, flexed their muscle early and often in a 71-53 victory over previously unbeaten Broadview-Lavina. The win, which came at the Four Seasons Arena, will send the Bears (24-1) to the semifinals on tonight where they will go head-to-head with Arlee for a berth in the championship game Saturday ni...