Box Elder advances to state title game

One win away.

In front of throngs of their fans Thursday night, the Box Elder boys basketball team advanced to the Class C state championship game with a 69-43 thrashing of Harlowton-Ryegate at the Four Seasons Arena in Great Falls.

The victory pushed the 26-0 Bears into Saturday night's finale where the Bears will face the Manhattan Christian Eagles, who upset Lustre Christian earlier Thursday night.

The Bears were in control of the semifinals from start to finish, leading by 18 points at halftime, and pulling away even further from there.

Tracen Jilot led the Bears with 21 points, while Matthias Blackbird had 16 and Dreyden Anderson added 11.

Box Elder is now back in the state championship game for the first time since the Bears captured their last championship, in 2016. Saturday night's championship game also marks the second straight year that Manhattan Christian will face a District 9C team in the championship game. The Eagles beat Big Sandy in the 2023 title game.

The long day in Great Falls started with the Big Sandy Pioneers, making their first state tourney appearance in more than two decades, falling to Class C power Twin Bridges 57-38 in the first round of the girls tournament.

The Falcons were dominant throughout the contest, while the Pioneers got 19 points from Eva Yaedon, as well as nine rebounds. Jenny Sant added eight points and five rebounds.

The loss dropped the Pioneers into a loser-out game against Roberts this morning. Roberts fell to Saco-Whitewater-Hinsdale 72-49 in the first game of the tournament Thursday. 

On the other side of the girls bracket Thursday, Melstone beat Plentywoood 49-39 and Northern C champion Roy-Winifred crushed White Sulphur Springs 60-34. Tonight's semifinals are set for 6 and 7:30 p.m. The girls consolation game will take place at 4:30 p.m. Saturday and the girls championship is at 7:30 p.m. Saturday.