Rocky Boy, Harlem ready for districts

It started with the District 9C a week ago, and now, area Class B schools are joining the postseason fray.

Thursday through Saturday, both the Harlem boys and girls and Rocky Boy boys and girls will play in district tournaments, with spots in the Northern B on the line.

The Rocky Boy boys and girls will be at the District 1B tournament in Conrad this weekend. The Stars, led by the talents of Ben Crebs, Joe Demontiney, Dean Gibson and a deep and powerful lineup, finished third in the loaded 1B, but are coming off a huge win over Shelby in the regular season finale. Fairfield claimed the top spot in the 1B, but Shelby, led by Montana recruit Rhett Reynolds and former Havre Blue Pony, head coach Tom Reynolds, join the Stars to help make the 1B arguably the toughest district in all of Class B boys basketball.

Meanwhile the 2B boys tournament, held in Wolf Point, won't be easy either, and Harlem, despite having very few games under its belt due to COVID-19, could be a favorite this week. When they have played, the Wildcats have been a high-scoring bunch, led by R.J. Ramone and Tyler Cichosz, who combine to score almost 40 points per game. Deshon Shambo and Jehton Long Fox are keys for the Wildcats as they contend with Malta and Glasgow for the top spot in the 2B this weekend.

On the girls side, Harlem will also be strong in the 2B, which will be held in Poplar. Because of COVID, it's been a tough year for the Wildcats, but they finished strong, in third place in the 2B, and with star Taya Trottier leading the way, the young Wildcats are, no doubt a contender against top seeds Malta and Glasgow.

Unfortunately, it will be tough for the Rocky Boy girls to contend in the really tough 1B this weekend. The Morning Stars went winless during a regular season in which they really struggled as a young team, with Kirsten LaMere as one of the lone experienced players. Still, the Morning Stars will do what they can to put up a fight this weekend in Conrad, as Fairfield, Choteau, Great Falls Central, Conrad and Shelby all have strong teams.

The top four girls teams from the 1B and 2B will meet next weekend in Wolf Point in the Northern B girls tourney. The top four boys teams from the 1B and 2B will advance to next weekend's Northern B boys in Cut Bank.