MTN Sports surveyed coaches for the inaugural Class AA basketball coaches polls.
The Missoula Hellgate boys and Helena High girls took the top rankings in the first-ever edition, which was released Tuesday. Jeff Hays’ Knights are 4-1 this season with the their lone loss coming to out-of-state foe Coeur d’Alene, Idaho. No undefeated boys teams remain in Class AA, as defending state champion Great Falls CMR and Great Falls High both suffered their first losses of the season last week.
Coach Eric Peterson’s Bengals have won the past two State AA girls titles, and they’re off to another fine start, winning each of their first seven games by double digits. Helena Capital and Billings West are also undefeated, carrying 6-0 records into this weekend’s games.
Coaches were asked to rank their top five teams in the state, regardless of conference, and not rank their own teams. Ten boys coaches cast ballots this week, while eight girls coaches participated. The polls are below.
Class AA boys basketball coaches poll — Jan. 8, 2019
- Missoula Hellgate (4-1) — 50 points (10 first-place votes)
- Bozeman (5-1) — 34
- Billings Skyview (4-1) — 23
- Great Falls High (4-1) — 19
- Great Falls CMR (6-1) — 12
Receiving votes: Helena Capital, Billings West, Missoula Sentinel.
Class AA girls basketball coaches poll — Jan. 8, 2019
- Helena High (7-0) — 35 points (7 first-place votes)
- Helena Capital (6-0) — 29
- Billings West (6-0) — 26 (1)
- Kalispell Glacier (3-2) — 13
- Bozeman (2-4) — 7
Receiving votes: Butte, Missoula Hellgate, Missoula Sentinel.
