Pioneers look to continue their run at Class C Tournament

The season finally comes down to this weekend with the Class C State Boys Basketball Tournament taking place in Billings. The Big Sandy Pioneers will look to represent the Hi-Line well as they compete for a state championship.

The Pioneers enter the tournament with a 20-5 record and they finished second at the Northern C Divisional to qualify for the state tournament. Before that, they finished third in the District 9C tournament just to qualify for the divisional tournament.

If the Pioneers want to go on a run this weekend, they will need their best players to excel. Braydon Cline will look to do well after averaging 18 points a game at the Northern C Divisional. Kody Strutz and Isaac Pedraza will both look to make an impact as they both averaged double digits in scoring at divisionals.

The Pioneers will start the tournament Thursday at 5 p.m. when they play Lustre Christian. The Lions will be a formidable opponent to start the tournament as they have an undefeated record of 23-0 and they are coming off an Eastern C Divisional championship.

The Lions have several players who can give Big Sandy trouble Thursday. Elijah Lenihan could be a problem as he averaged 13.33 points a game at divisionals. The Pioneers will also have to slow down Cayden Klatt, who is capable of going off on offense.

If the Pioneers can upset the Lions, they would face either Broadus or Lone Peak, who play each other at 3:30 p.m. Thursday. The Broadus Hawks have an 18-4 record and they just won the Southern C Divisional. On offense, the Hawks will be led by the likes of Marcus Mader and Dillon Gee.

Lone Peak has an 18-10 record and just finished second at the Western C Divisional. Max Romney and Isaac Bedway will look to get rolling on offense for the Bighorns this weekend.

Earlier on Thursday, at noon, Manhattan Christian will face Broadview-Lavina. Manhattan Christian should be one of the toughest teams in the tournament with a 23-1 record and a Western C Divisional championship. On offense, the Eagles are led by Seth Amunrud and Tebarek Hill. Even if they are slowed down, the Eagles can rely on Mason Venema and Christian Triemstra for scoring.

Broadview-Lavina enters the tournament with a record of 21-4 and just finished second in the Southern C Divisional. On offense, the Pirates will be led by the likes of Kade Erickson and William Sanguins.

Later on Thursday, at 1:30 p.m, Belt and Fairview will go at it. Belt enters the tournament with a 22-2 record and a Northern C Divisional championship in tow. With players such as Bridger Vogl and Garrett Metrione leading the way, the Huskies should be a formidable foe in the tournament.

Fairview has a 21-2 record and just finished second in the Eastern C Divisional. The Warriors will be no cake walk as they have players such as Hunter Sharbono and Jeff Tjelde who are capable of going off on any night.

Once Thursday is over, the tournament's semifinal games will take place Friday at 6 and 7:30 p.m. On Saturday, the Class C consolation game will be at 6 p.m. and then the Class C state championship game will be at 7:30 p.m.

The Big Sandy boys basketball team will begin the Class C State Tournament Thursday at 5 p.m. at the First Interstate Bank Arena at Metra in Billings.