ARLEE – The Arlee Warriors have put on quite a show the past two years. The boys made a statement in Montana with back-to-back Class C boys basketball state championships.
Now, they want to become the first Class C team to three-peat since Belfry in 1954.
The Warriors have gone an insane 51-1 over the past two years. They have not lost since a December 2016 setback versus rival Plains. This season feels a little different as all-stars like Phillip Malatare and Will Mesteth graduated. But seven seniors do return, and the Warriors have plenty of confidence they’ll be in the running again.
“You kind of hope that they lay down the foundation for the boys, that they have taught them how to go ahead and win without them and how to continue the legacy that they have here,” head coach Zanen Pitts said about the stars of the past.
“We all have the skill and athleticism to do it,” said senior center Isaac Fisher. “We just need to get our minds right. I know these guys put in work and these guys want to do it as bad as me. So we have our eyes on the prize. We’re trying to win state this year.”
“Don’t sleep on us,” added senior guard Greg Whitesell. “We are coming off a championship. We are still the team to beat, and we shouldn’t be slept on.”
The Warriors tip their season off versus Lodge Grass in the Native American Classic in Havre next week. Those two teams have not met since a state semifinal game 23 years ago.
