State C Update: Box Elder is state C champions

Updated at 9:46 p.m. Saturday: The wait is over for Box Elder. On Saturday night, the Bears ended a 24-year state championship drought by beating Westby-Grenora 74-54 in the 2014 Class C state championship game at the Butte Civic Center.

Randall Gardipee, the tournament MVP, poured in 28 points for the Bears, who also capped off a perfect 26-0 season.

Box Elder joins the 1990 boys team as historic champions, and also becomes the 16th team from the Northern C to win a state championship in the last 25 years. Box Elder is also the third team from the 9C to win a state title since 2007. Hays-Lodge Pole did it that season and Big Sandy won in 2010.

For full coverage, see Monday's Havre Daily News.

Another night, another double-digit tournament win for the Box Elder Bears. On Friday night in the Class C semifinals, the Bears moved to within one win of completing their perfect season after beating Fairview 77-54 at the Butte Civic Center.

The Bears started fast, but got sluggish in the second quarter, leading to a 32-26 halftime edge. But the Bears went on a 15-7 run in the third period, then blasted the Warriors for 30 points in the fourth to once again win going away.

Randall Gardipee scored a game-high 23 points while Thomas Parisian added 14 for Box Elder, which moved into the championship game for the first time since 1990. On Saturday night, Box Elder will play Westby-Grenora for the championship. The Thunder bested previously unbeaten Superior in Friday night's second semifinal.

For full coverage, see Monday's Havre Daily News.