Stars seeking Northern B redemption

One year ago, the Rocky Boy Stars won the District 1B championship, only to fall short two weeks later in the Northern B Divisional tournament. Now, the Stars are looking for a reversal of fortunes.

Last week in Conrad, top-seeded Rocky Boy lost to Shelby in the District 1B championship game, so the Stars (16-4) head to this week's Northern B in a little different position than they were a year ago - not being the top seed.

Still, Rocky Boy, and head coach Adam Demontiney, will be one of the favorites at this week's Northern B in Glasgow, to reach the Class B state tournament in two weeks. And, a rematch with Shelby is probably in the cards as the Coyotes and Stars are on oppositie sides of the bracket.

And yet, whether it's Rocky Boy, or Shelby, the Northern B is not going to be easy to get through. It's arguably one of the toughest divisional tournaments in Class B, and this year is no different.

The Stars open their Northern B tourney this afternoon against the host Glasgow Scotties. In that game, Rocky Boy will be heavily favored, especially with star center Kendall Windy Boy and talented wing Ben Iron Eyes leading the way. But the Stars also have depth, including talented point guard Jerrell Gopher. And one other thing the Stars have on their side is experience. Last year's third-place finish in the Northern B was a tough one for Rocky Boy, but with much of the same team back for another run, the Stars should be much more ready to handle the postseason pressure this time around.

The Stars also have a favorable draw. If Rocky Boy gets by Glasgow today, the Stars will face either Malta or Choteau in the semifinals. Rocky Boy was a combined 4-0 against the Mustangs and Bulldogs this season.

On the other side of the bracket sits two more 1B stalwarts in Shelby and Fairfield. Fairfield has had another strong season and will take on Wolf Point in the first round tonight at 8. The winner of that game will play either Shelby or Wolf Point, but most likely 1B champion Shelby. The Coyotes, coached by former Havre Blue Pony Tom Reynolds, have been on a roll having lost just once since the Christmas break.

Shelby is another team loaded with talent, including MSU-Northern signee T.J. Reynolds, as well as star guard Aaron White. But like Rocky Boy, the Coyotes' road isn't easier either. Though Shelby has lost just twice since Dec. 16, those two losses have come at the hands of Rocky Boy and Fairfield, two teams the Coyotes will most likely have to play again this weekend in Glasgow.

So, once again, the Northern B tourney will be not only a competitive one, but an exciting one as well, especially with two coveted spots in the Class B state tournament on the line. The Northern B starts today and runs through Saturday night's championship game at Glasgow High School.

Northern B

At Glasgow High School

(2 teams advance)

Thursday

Game 1: Malta vs. Choteau, 1 p.m.

Game 2: Glasgow vs. Rocky Boy, 2:30 p.m.

Game 3: Shelby vs. Wolf point, 6:30 p.m.

Game 4: Fairfield vs. Poplar, 8 p.m.

Friday

Game 5: Game 1 loser vs. Game 2 loser, 1 p.m., loser out

Game 6: Game 3 loser vs. Game 4 loser, 2:30 p.m., loser out

Game 7: Game 1 winner vs. Game 2 winner, 6:30 p.m., semifinal

Game 8: Game 3 winner vs. Game 4 winner, 8 p.m., semifinal

Saturday

Game 9: Game 6 winner vs. Game 7 loser, 9:30 a.m., loser out

Game 10: Game 5 winner vs. Game 8 loser, 11 a.m., loser out

Game 11: Game 9 winner vs. Game 10 winner, 6:30 p.m., third place

Game 12: Game 7 winner vs. Game 8 winner, 8 p.m., championship

Monday

Game 13: Challenge game, if necessary, TBA