Bears win

GREAT FALLS - The Box Elder Bears won their second state championship in three years this past weekend, with a dominating, three-game performance at the Class C state tournament.

The Bears, who finished the season 27-1, took on Arlee Saturday night in Great Falls, at the Four Seasons Arena, in a highly-anticipated matchup between Native American teams. Yet, in the end, the Bears proved to be the superior team, winning the game 95-73 and the state championship trophy.

"This is a really special group of kids," Box Elder head coach Jeremy MacDonald said. "I am happy for our fans and I am happy for our kids."

In front of a packed-house at the Four Seasons, the Bears and the Warriors put on a show. At the end of the first quarter, Box Elder led the game 13-12, but in the second quarter, the Bears grabbed control of the game, thanks to a pair of 3-pointers by Jake Jones, and a number of key baskets from both Brandon The Boy and Jerrod Four Colors.

At the half, the Bears held a 41-33 lead, but soon into the third quarter, Box Elder broke the game open thanks to 3-pointers by Tristan Bernard and The Boy. Bodis Duran also got in on the act and buried a triple with seconds remaining, to put Box Elder in front 68-52 entering the fourth quarter.

In the final eight minutes, Arlee never mounted a serious challenge to Box Elder and late in the game, Four Colors and The Boy each had 3-point plays, which pushed the Bears' advantage to 21 points and put the game out of reach.

"I am just happy right now," The Boy said. "This just shows that hard work pays off. This is the greatest feeling in the word right now."

Four Colors led the way for the Bears with 26 points and 15 rebounds, while The Boy added 25 points and three assists. Jones contributed with 13 points, and Pernell Morsette had 12.

The 22-point win over Alree was the Bears' third-consecutive blowout win at this year's state tournament, after knocking off Westby-Grenora 88-59 Friday and Reed Point-Rapelje 83-26 Thursday. Box Elder's average margin-of-victory was 36 points.

"There is no senior class like this one," MacDonald said. "They have won two state championships in basketball and had a great run in football. This is a special, special group of kids."