Billings, Montana – The Southern B Divisional basketball tournament is underway at First Interstate Arena, with teams battling for a chance to advance to the Class B state tournament. Friday’s semifinal matchups saw both upsets and close contests, setting the stage for championship games on Saturday. The tournament, a key event for high school basketball fans in Montana, features intense competition and showcases emerging talent.
Lodge Grass and Three Forks will compete for the boys’ title, while on the girls’ side, Baker and Ennis will face off. These championship games follow a series of hard-fought battles that determined the contenders. The tournament highlights the dedication and skill of student-athletes across the Southern B division, drawing significant local attention.
The Lodge Grass Indians secured their spot in the championship game with a thrilling 49-46 victory over Columbus on Friday. JJ Bends led all scorers with 16 points, while TJ Gros Ventre and Colvin Wyles each added 10 for Lodge Grass. The Indians overcame a significant first-half deficit, outscoring Columbus 30-15 in the second half, according to Montana Sports. Columbus was led by Colter Chamberlin, who scored 15 points.
Three Forks advanced to the championship after defeating Joliet 53-33. Kanon Reichman led the Wolves with a game-high 20 points, while Sawyer Marx contributed 9 points. Three Forks dominated the second half, outscoring Joliet 30-12, as reported by SWX Local Sports. The championship game between Lodge Grass and Three Forks is scheduled for 6 p.m. Saturday.
Girls’ Tournament Results
In the girls’ bracket, Baker demonstrated a dominant performance, defeating Jefferson 83-42. Ennis also secured a spot in the championship game with a 52-49 win over Huntley Project. The Baker vs. Ennis championship game is set for 7:30 p.m. On Saturday. Montana Sports on Facebook provided initial reporting on the girls’ matchups.
Additional games are scheduled for Saturday morning, including a loser-out game between Shepherd and Joliet at 9 a.m., and another between St. Labre and Columbus, also at 9 a.m. The winners of those games will compete for third place at 3 p.m. The full tournament bracket and schedule can be found at Montana Sports.
The Southern B Divisional tournament continues to deliver exciting basketball action, with teams vying for a coveted spot in the Class B state tournament. Fans can expect intense competition and memorable moments as the tournament concludes on Saturday evening.
As the tournament progresses, the focus will shift to the state tournament, where the top teams from the Southern B division will compete against other divisional champions. The outcomes of these games will determine which teams will advance further in the postseason. Stay tuned for updates and results as the tournament unfolds.
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