Class AA boys take home coveted HIT title

Some of the best prep basketball talent in the state of Montana was in Havre over the weekend, but only one team was able to come away crowned as tournament champions.

Chinook's Grant Tilleman, left, makes a move during a Hi-Line Invitational Tournament boys game Saturday at the Armory Gymnasium. The Class AA boys beat the Class B boys for the title.

The 27th annual Hi-Line Invitational (HIT) basketball tournament took over the Armory gymnasium Thursday, Friday, and Saturday in Havre. And after winning six team titles out of the last 10 years, the Class AA boys all star team was able to win it all again in 2013.

On Saturday night the class AA boys defeated the Class B team 93-90 in the championship game.

Rocky Boy's Darien LaFromboise, left, looks for room during an HIT boys game Friday night in Havre.

Prior to the championship game, the Class AA defeated the Class A 90-74 on Thursday, and the Class C in overtime on Saturday, 89-83. The only loss for the AA team came on Friday when Class B earned the impressive 105-91 win. The Class B also had an impressive run as they finished in second place. The Class B defeated the Class C 116-105 on Thursday and the Class A 108-83 on Friday, their only loss coming in the championship.

Other scores included a Class A win over the Class C 113-87 on Friday. But the Class C turned the tables on the Class A on Saturday, as they earned a 112-98 win in the consolation game.

With the tournament title on the line, the game between the AA and B squads was back and forth scoring battle.

Tad Rose of Billings Central helped spark one of many runs by both teams. With his back-to-back three-pointers late in the first quarter, he was key in the Class AA taking a 23-20 lead after the first quarter. But as things continued to go back and forth, the final minute of play was crucial. Great Falls High's Dylan Tatarka hit two clutch free throws with 57 second left to play, giving the AA team the 91-90 lead. Adam Huse of Bozeman High also hit a free throw to gain a 92-90 edge with 24 seconds left, but Tatarka came through again.

Malta's Kendall Denham, right, lines up for a shot during Saturday night's HIT boys championship game at the Armory Gymnasium.

Casey McLane missed a trey for the Class B with 13 seconds left to play, but after an offensive rebound it looked as if the Class B was going to get the final shot. Tatarka came away with a steal and was fouled, hitting another free throw and sealing the game at 93-90.

Class AA held a 45-42 lead at the break, but the Class B wouldn't stop pushing. Kendal Denham of Malta helped lead the Class B with his passing and scoring ability. After three straight assists followed by a 3-pointer, Denham tied the game at 63-63 late in the third quarter. But on another run, the Class AA team took a 73-69 lead into the fourth quarter before earning the win.

Rose and Tatarka led the AA squad with 23 points each in the chipper, while Carson Drummer (Helena Capital) scored 18 and Josiah Running Crow (Billings Skyview) added 15. For the Class B, McLane led with 21, while Denham added 16 and Aaron Ward added 14.

On the weekend, a handful of awards were also handed out, while an All-Tournament team was selected.

Manhatten's Quinn McQueary competes in the HIT dunk contest Saturday the Armory Gymnasium.

The All-Tournament team was Denham, Malta (MVP); Dylan Tatarka, Great Falls High (Mr. Hustle); Mechiah Zilkowski, Wolf Point; Casey McLane, Whitehall; Marcus Payne, Livingston; Tiegan Johnson, Dutton-Brady; Gavin deJong, Manhattan; Chad Kananen, Roy-Winifred; Jared Schultz, Stevensville; Quinn McQueary, Manhattan; Brett Thompson, Laurel.

Zack Camel of Arlee was selected as Mr. Defense, and the slam-dunk champion was Gavin DeJong of Manhattan. Denham also had the most assists with 21, Tatarka had the most steals with 12, and McLane was the scoring leader with a total of 101 points.

THURSDAY

Class AA 90, Class A 74

Class AA - Dylan Tatrka 17, Henry Garrett 12, Garth Grimsrud 15.

Class A - Breet Thompson 14, Zack Gavlak 14, DeeJay LazyBoy 10, Jared Winslow 10.

Class B 116, Class C 105

Class B - Kendall Denham 19, Casey Mclane 33, Mechiah Zilkowski 19.

Class C - Luke Stulc 22, Zack Camel 30, Randall Gardipee 20.

FRIDAY

Class A 113, Class C 87

Class C —Chad Kananen 19, Mark Papp 22, Tiegan Johnson 18.

Class A — Jared Schultz 13, Nate Bolstad 19, Marcus Payne 20.

Class B 105, Class AA 91

Class AA —Tad Rose 15, Dylan Tatarka 12, Carson Dummer 17. Totals 22-82 16-20.

Class B — Casey McLane 18, Quinn McQueary 16, Gavin deJong 16.

Class B 108, Class A 83

Class A —Zack Gavlak 18, Boyd Jenne 15, Brett Thompson 24.

Class B —Kendall Denham 17, Casey McLane 29, Mechiah Zilkowski 20.

SATURDAY

Class AA 89, Class C 83, OT

Class AA —Dylan Tatarka 26, Carson Dummer 8, Tad Rose 13.

Class C — Tiegan Johnson 12, Chad Kananen 16, Mark Papp 16.

Third place

Class C 112, Class A 98

Class A — Jared Schultz 24, Brady Tippett 21, Brett Thompson 24.

Class C —Mark Papp 17, Tiegan Johnson 43, Chad Kananen 19.

Championship

Class AA 93, Class B 90

Class AA —Ted Rose 23, Dylan Tatarka 23, Carson Dummer 18.

Class B — Kendall Denham 16, Casey McLane 21, Aaron Waed 14.