Box Elder moving on in Great Falls

The Box Elder boys basketball team is now two wins away from a state championship.

Wednesday night at the Four Seasons Arena in Great Falls, the Bears defeated the Harrison Wildcats 76-59, in the opening round of the 2024 Class C boys state basketball tournament. The victory pushed Box Elder into tonight's semifinals where the Bears will face off against Harlowton-Ryegate.

Box Elder controlled the game against Harrison from start to finish. In the end, head coach Jeremy MacDonald's team was paced by Tracen Jillot's 25 points, while Tuarie Stiffarm-Rosette had 18 and Dreyden Anderson added 17.

Box Elder's opponent, Harlowton-Ryegate made it tonight's game by winning the Southern C, then besting Plentywood 51-39 Wednesday night. Kenyan Davis scored 24 points for the Engineers and he'll be a focal point for Box Elder tonight.

On the other side of the bracket, top-ranked Lustre-Chritstian edged Melstone 51-41 in the opening game of the tournament Wednesday afternoon. Defending state champion Manhatten-Christian also survived a scare of Winnett-Grass Range, 61-58 setting up today's first semifinal at 6:30 p.m.

Meanwhile, the Bears, now 25-0 on the season, will square off against the Engineers tonight at 8 p.m. The winners will meet in the state championship game Saturday at 6 p.m.

The Class C state girls tournament also starts today in Great Falls. The Big Sandy Pioneers will battle Twin Bridges this afternoon.