BILLINGS -- Eight weeks ago, Billings Skyview's basketball boys were 2-4 and hadn't beaten a single Class AA team. Two months later, the Falcons are flying high.
"That was our whole goal -- just keep growing, keep growing, one-game-at-a-time-type attitude," said head coach Kevin Morales. "Like I tell them, once they truly start believing how good they are and how good they can be, they can go get it and it can be theirs."
It is theirs - the first divisional championship in program history, and they claimed it in epic fashion, snapping Billings West's 17-game win streak in overtime in front of a packed house at MSU Billings' Alterowitz Gym.
"Incredible energy the whole game," said guard Cam Ketchum. "Our student section was crazy, West's student section was crazy, the atmosphere was so fun."
Falcons forward Julius Mims took it a step further.
"It was probably one of the biggest games of my life, honestly," Mims said. "We still got state to go, but it was a real big game for me."
"Divisionals being here, against a crosstown rival, it doesn't get much better than that," Morales added.
Skyview fans likely thought they had it won in regulation. But Josh Erbacher hit back-to-back NBA-range 3-pointers in the final two minutes to force overtime. Turns out the Falcons' resolve never wavered.
"It definitely stayed high, because we knew we had to keep going," Mims said. "If we didn't keep going, we were going to lose that game. He's a great shooter, credit to him, but we just kept going and dogged it out."
The win also gives Skyview a much friendlier road at this week's Class AA state tournament in Bozeman. The Falcons open with Butte instead of Missoula Sentinel, which beat the Falcons earlier this year, and they avoid Missoula Hellgate until a would-be title game.
"Boosts our confidence completely," Ketchum said. "We're ready for state. We're ready for Butte. Hopefully we can knock them off and continue on. The rest will take care of itself."
Skyview has gotten better every step of the way. We'll see how big the next step can be.
