Box Elder looks to bring a title back to the Hi-Line

When he gets this far, Box Elder boys basketball coach Jeremy MacDonald knows exactly what it takes to win a state championship. That's because he's done it before, not once, but twice.

Now, in their home away from home, the Bears are in position to do it again.

Tonight, inside the Four Seasons Arena in Great Falls, the undefeated Bears begin their quest for a Class C state title when they take on the Harrison Wildcats at 7:30 p.m. 

The Wildcats, the runner-up in the Western C, are making their first-ever trip to the state tournament, while MacDonald is leading the Bears back to state for the first time in years. 

But, the 24-0 Bears won't be intimidated by the moment, as they are a veteran-laden team that has been dominant all season long, and they are coming off championships in both the District 9C and Northern C last month.

Box Elder is led by star junior Tracen Jilot. The 6-0 guard is one of the top scorers in all of Montana, and is already garnering a ton of collegiate attention. He's started for the Bears the last three seasons, and has been part of a rebuild under MacDonald, as Box Elder went through some leaner years after winning titles in 2014 and 2016.

Jilot, though, has plenty of help. Fellow juniors Matthias Blackbird and Taurie Stiffarm-Rosette are also three-year starters and double-digit scorers for Box Elder. But as talented as the Bears are offensively, they are just as good on the defensive and they have a great supporting cast who will do whatever it takes to lead the Bears to another state title.

And though Box Elder is undergoing a rebirth in boys basketball, and they'll return their entire team practically in 2024-25, the state title is the goal this week in Great Falls.

It won't be easy however.

Defending state champion Manhattan Christian returns after winning a sixth straight Western C championship. The Eagles square off against Northern C runner-up Winnett-Grass Range this afternoon. The Rams reached the state tournament after beating Belt in a Northern C Challenge Game last week in Great Falls.

Eastern C champion Lustre Christian is also back this year. The Lions are a high-scoring team that was young last year, but will be much more state-tournament ready this time around. The Lions will take on Garfield County in the opening game of the boys tournament this afternoon, while the winner will meet either Manhattan Christian or W-GR in the first semifinal Thursday night.

Meanwhile, if Box Elder gets by Harrison, the Bears will see either Harlowton-Ryegate or Plentywood in the semifinals Thursday night. The Engineers are also undergoing a renaissance in boys hoops and are enjoying one of the best seasons in some time. Plentywood meanwhile, is a former Class B power that is now starting to get a foothold in Class C basketball after finishing runner-up at this year's Eastern C.

So, while the Bears have yet to be beaten in 2024, and will have a great home court advantage as the Northern C is the host of this year's state tournament, Box Elder also will have its hands full as the boys bracket is loaded with star-studded teams, which will once again mean, the Class C tourney should be the most exciting in all of Montana high school hoops.

And, if Box Elder plays like it's capable of playing, the Bears just may be cutting the nets down yet again in the Four Seasons Arena come Saturday night.

Box Elder takes on Harrison tonight at 7:30 in Great Falls. The Class C boys state tournament runs today through Saturday night's championship game.