(Editor's note: this article will be updated with highlights)
(1W) Manhattan Christian 55, (2E) Fairview 36
GREAT FALLS — Seth Amunrud scored 23 points and the Manhattan Christian boys topped Fairview 55-36 in the first round of the State C tournament in Great Falls.
The Eagles jumped on top early, but Fairview kept the game competitive in the first half with timely shots keeping the game from getting out of reach. But Manhattan Christian went on a 8-0 run to close the second quarter, for a 32-19 lead at the break.
Amunrud was 6-for-6 from the field in the first half for 14 points. Logan Leep added eight points for the Eagles, Willem Kimm scored seven points and grabbed six rebounds. Jackson Leep and Brody Ayers each had six points.
Hunter Sharbono led Fairview with 12 points and 10 rebounds for a double-double. Kanyon Taylor scored nine points, and Jeff Tjelde added eight for the Warriors.
The Eagles will advance to the semifinals where they will face Broadus, Thursday at 6:30 p.m.
(1S) Broadus 59, (2N) Belt 52
The Broadus Hawks held off a second rally from Belt to top the Huskies 59-52 in the first round of the State C tournament in Great Falls.
Broadus led from wire-to-wire, but after building up a 13 point lead in the first half, Belt mounted a comeback in the second cutting the lead to 50-48 with under five minutes left in the fourth quarter.
But the Hawks closed on a 9-4 run to ice the game.
Dillon Gee led the Hawks in scoring with 13 points and six rebounds. Tytan Hanson added 11 points and eight boards, while Cooper Zimmer scored 10 points off the bench.
Garett Metrione led all scorers with 17 points for Belt, including 11 in the second half. Bridger Vogl notched a double-double for the Huskies with 13 points, 12 rebounds and Keaghn McDaniel scored 12 points. The Broadus defense held Belt to just 33-percent shooting on on 20-of-60 shots.
The South No. 1 seed Hawks will advance to face Manhattan Christian in the semifinals, Thursday at 6:30 p.m.
(1N) Roy-Winifred 28, (2S) Melstone 26
Brody Geer hit a game winning shot with three seconds left on the clock to lift Roy-Winifred to a 28-26 victory over Melstone in a low scoring affair.
The pace of the game ground to a halt for large portions of the games, as both teams used up clock on offensive possessions trying to find a good shot.
The Outlaws led 10-6 after the first period, but the Broncs went on a 10-0 run in the second to lead 16-15 at the break.
Points were at a premium in the second half as both teams struggled to create offense and missed shots when they were taken. Melstone finished the game 9-of-35 from the field, while the Outlaws were 12-of-26.
With the game tied at 26 in the fourth, Melstone worked the ball around the court for over two minutes of game times. The possesion ended when Bryce Grebe drove to the rim and was called for charging with 15 seconds remainging.
After a timeout, Geer took the ball the length of the court and drove baseline for the game winning layup. Melstone’s desperation three as time expired fell short.
Shad Boyce led all scorers with 19 points, and seven rebounds. Geer and Blake Donsbach each added four points. Grebe led Melstone with 16 points on 6-of-19 shooting.
Roy-Winifred moves on to the semis where they will face the winner of Shields Valley and Froid-Medicine Lake.
(1E) Froid-Medicine Lake 74, (2W) Shields Valley 60
Javonne Nesbit scored 28 points and the Froid-Medicine Lake pulled away from Shields Valley late for a 74-60 win in the first round of the State C tournament in Great Falls.
The RedHawks are considered among the favorites to win a state title, but the Rebels gave them all they could handle early. Cole Flatt led the charge for Shields Valley in the first half with 14 points on the way to 22 points for the game.
The Rebels led 32-30 at half before the RedHawks used a 7-0 run in the third quarter to build a 52-47 lead after three. That’s when Nesbitt and Mason Dethman started to take over. The RedHawks duo hit big shot after big shot to build a lead.
Dethman finished with 18 points and 12 rebounds for a double-double, throwing down some rim-rattling dunks in the process which swung the momentum to Froid-Medicine Lake.
Dylan Flatt scored 16 points for Shields Valley, while Kaden Acosta recorded a double-double with 14 points and a 11 rebounds. In addition to Nesbitt’s 28 points scoring output, he recorded 12 rebounds, five assists, five blocks, and three steals.
Froid-Medicine Lake will move on to face North No. 1 seed Roy-Winifred in the semifinals, Thursday at 8 p.m.
