Harlem repeats as 2B champs

There was a lot of excitement for the District 9C tournament in Havre last weekend, but while most Hi-Line basketball fans were tuned into the 9C, the Class B district tournaments were taking place, too.

The District 1B and 2B girls tournaments took place in different towns, with 1B in Cut Bank and 2B in Malta. When it came to the Hi-Line teams, things went pretty well for both of them.

In the case of the Harlem girls, who have been a force all season, they had ambitions to claim a 2B title for themselves this year.

And the Wildcats brought the power to the Malta High Gymnasium last Saturday, beating the Malta M-Ettes 48-46 in the 2B championship game in a close fight to the finish. L'Tia Lawrence led the Wildcats with 19 points, with Kailee Henry close behind with 17. With the win over Malta, Harlem claimed first place and will be the number one seed from the 2B heading into the Northern B Divisionals this week.

But before the big game, the Wildcats won a Friday semifinal game, since they had a first-round bye, over Wolf Point 72-46 to propel them into the championship. In the game against the Wolves, Lawrence led the charge once again with 24 points, while Taya Trottier put up an 18-point game.

Now, Harlem (19-1) will advance to the Northern B girls in two weeks.

The Rocky Boy girls may not have claimed a 1B title last weekend, but they did place third in the tournament after beating Choteau 56-43 in last Saturday's consolation game. Jaynah Gopher led the Stars with 18 points, followed by Ella Moore's 10-point game.

But before the consolation matchup, Rocky Boy beat Great Falls Central 44-42 in the first round to advance to the semifinals, with Kristen LaMere leading the charge with a 21-point game. The Morning Stars fell in the semifinals but beat Conrad in a loser-out bout 69-48 to punch their ticket to the consolation game. Gopher led Rocky Boy once again with 21 points, Sarah Coffee dropped 17 and LaMere put up 16.

Rocky Boy will join Harlem at the Northern B in Shelby March 5-7.

District 1B Girls Tournament

Rocky Boy 44, Great Falls Central 42 (R1)

Rocky Boy 14 4 13 13 – 44

GFCC 14 6 9 13 – 42

RKB: Kristen LaMere 21; Angela Gopher 9; Ella Moore 4; Sasha Coffee 3; Jaynah Gopher 2; Mariah Arkinson 2; Jeralyn Parker 1.

GFCC: Grace Madill 16; Mackenzy Leray 11; Sareya Hicks 7; Faith Madill 4; Alexis Cook 2; Mari Anderson 2.

Rocky Boy 69, Conrad 48 (LO)

Rocky Boy 15 17 15 22 – 69

Conrad 4 18 10 16 – 48

RKB: Jaynah Gopher 21; Sasha Coffee 17; Kristen LaMere 16; Jeralyn Parker 7; Mariah Arkinson 5; J'Leanna Raining Bird 3.

CONRAD: Lauren Philipps 21; Kate Murack 9; Kadie Baney 8; Brae Eneboe 5; Taya Dyer 5.

Rocky Boy 56, Choteau 43 (3rd)

Rocky Boy 13 8 24 11 – 56

Choteau 7 15 14 7 – 43

RKB: Jaynah Gopher 18; Ella Moore 10; Sasha Coffee 9; Jeralyn Parker 8; Kristen LaMere 6; Mariah Arkinson 5.

CHOTEAU: Nicole Krone 13; Emma Gunderson 9; Christine Funk 7; Ada Bieler 7; Jessie Henderson 5; Abby McCollom 2.

District 2B Girls Tournament

Harlem 72, Wolf Point 46 (SF)

Wolf Point 10 11 12 13 – 46

Harlem 20 17 21 14 – 72

WPT: J'Elle Garfield 12; Mya Fourstar 10; Tori Nyguard 6; Sarah Williamson 5; Jody Niebel 4; Katelyn MacDonald 3; Alex Sutton 2; Jaylee Azure 2; Hamaynie Campbell 1; Demi Kegley 1.

HARLEM: L'Tia Lawrence 24; Taya Trottier 18; Gabi Bell 13; Kailee Henry 10; Alaynee Hawley 3; Aria Owens 2; Taeshon Schaeffer 2.

Harlem 48, Malta 46 (1st)

Malta 9 15 11 11 – 46

Harlem 8 9 15 16 – 48

MALTA: Erica Smith 14; Kylee Nelson 9; Carly Garfield 8; Kelbe Denham 6; Allie Kunze 4; Addy Anderson 3; Maddie Williamson 2.

HARLEM: L'Tia Lawrence 19; Kailee Henry 17; Taya Trottier 7; Taeshon Schaeffer 4; Kristyn Kittson 1.