MISSOULA – It’s crosstown week in the Garden City. Missoula’s three Class AA schools meet for three basketball doubleheaders. And after the first showdown, there remains little doubt which school holds the upper hand on the court this season.
Missoula Hellgate traveled over to Missoula Big Sky and picked up a couple dominating victories. The Knights boys started the onslaught, winning 80-31. The Knight girls followed it up with a 55-33 win over the Eagles.
The Big Sky boys were coming off of their first two conference wins. And Hellgate only clipped Helena Capital by one on Saturday. But the Knights remain unbeaten in Western AA play and seized the momentum from the opening tip. Hellgate led 11-0 quickly, 26-14 after one quarter and 49-19 at halftime. The second half didn’t get any better for Big Sky, as the Knights cruised to the 49-point triumph.
Hellgate improves to 9-0 in league and 14-1 overall heading into a huge showdown versus second-place Missoula Sentinel on Thursday night. Big Sky falls to 2-7 in conference and 3-12 overall.
The Knight girls also didn’t give the Eagles any time to settle in. Hellgate jumped out to a 13-1 lead at the end of the first quarter. Big Sky settled in after the rough start, playing with the Knights for the next two quarters. But the Eagles still trailed 25-10 at halftime and 38-25 after three quarters. Hellgate kept the game out of reach by scoring 17 points in the final quarter.
The young Knights continue to impress in their best season in years. The fourth-place team improves to 5-4 in Western AA play and 9-6 overall. Big Sky falls to 0-9 in league and 1-14 overall.
Missoula’s crosstown week continues when Hellgate hosts Sentinel on Thursday night. Sentinel will then host Big Sky on Saturday night. Both doubleheaders start at 5:30.
