BILLINGS -- The Columbus boys and Whitehall girls basketball teams are moving on to the first round of the Southern B divisional tournament Thursday in Billings after each won their play-in games on Wednesday night.
The Cougars were locked in a tough battle with Whitehall until Trey Stempfel came up clutch, hitting two free throws with five seconds left in the fourth quarter to put Columbus up 36-34, which would end as the final score. Columbus now advances to the first round of the Southern B and will play Lodge Grass Thursday at 5 p.m.
Meanwhile, the Whitehall girls advanced after defeating Huntley Project 61-51. The Trojans will now face Colstrip on Thursday at 8 p.m.
