Pioneer Power in Great Falls

GREAT FALLS - After claiming the No. 3 seed in the District 9C boys tournament last week, the Big Sandy Pioneers have their sights set on a spot at the Class C state tournament.

But, first, they have to get through the grueling Northern C Divisionals at the Four Seasons Arena in Great Falls, which started with a matchup against the District 8C No. 3 Centerville Miners.

And after being down by eight points after the third quarter, the Pioneers rallied in the fourth quarter to beat the Miners 58-54 Wednesday, earning a spot in the semifinals against the Heart Butte Warriors. Big Sandy head coach Thomas Dilworth was proud to see his team fight hard against Centerville.

"We came out a little timid," Dilworth said. "It's tough playing on this court for the first time. Carson McGinness is a heck of a ball player. We knew we had to contain him in the first half, and we didn't. We've been in this position several times this season and the boys showed up big time."

Centerville started off hot, putting up four 3-pointers by Carson McGinness to jump into an early lead. Clint Darlington dropped some field goals for the Pioneers, while Brock Proulx added one of his own. Big Sandy fought tough to open, but the Miners had an offensive hot streak to lead 21-13 after the first quarter.

In the second stanza, Darlington and Kade Strutz put up more points for the Pioneers, while Centerville continued to shine at the basket with a trey and multiple field goals. Big Sandy tried to pull closer but missed free throws did not help them move forward, allowing the Miners to lead 32-22 at halftime.

The Pioneers pushed back in the third period, though. Darlington stayed consistent in putting up baskets, while Ryan Roth and Strutz added points of their own. But, McGinness and Cole Detton kept driving the Miners ahead to lead Big Sandy 46-38.

Then, Roth and Darlington put up a huge game in the fourth quarter, with each of them sinking shots and in Roth's case, nailing a trey and a field goal to give the Pioneers the lead in the middle of the fourth quarter. As Centerville looked to fight back, Darlington pushed Big Sandy ahead alongside the game-sealing free throw to give the Pioneers the win.

Darlington led Big Sandy with a big 31-point game and 17 rebounds, Roth followed with 12 points and the Pioneers' only three. After the game, Darlington was happy to see that he and the team had stepped up in the second half to come back and win.

"I feel pretty good," Darlington said. "I think that we finally figured out what we needed to do on the court and we just did it. That's how we win, as a team."

Next up, Big Sandy will face off against the Heart Butte Warriors in the quarterfinals in the Four Seasons Arena to continue their quest for a Northern C title and a spot in the Class C state tournament.

"Heart Butte is a lot like Box Elder," Dilworth said. "They just have a bit more height, quickness and toughness. If we can rebound and make our shots like we did today against Centerville, we should be OK against them."

Big Sandy 58, Centerville 54

Centerville 21 11 14 8 – 54

Big Sandy 13 9 16 20 – 58

Centerville – Kimi Morandi 2, Carson McGinness 26, Grant Cotton 6, Cole Detton 12, Jacob Kelly 2, Brdiger Cayill 6. Totals: 20-50 9-16 54.

Big Sandy – Brock Proulx 2, Ryan Roth 12, Kody Strutz 3, Clint Darlington 31, Jeremiah Genereux 2, Kade Strutz 8. Totals: 20-47 17-27 58.

3-pointers: Ryan Roth 1, Carson McGinness 5. Fouls: Big Sandy 16, Centerville 17. Fouled out: none.