Braves get another shot at Capital

Tonight's AA playoff winner advances to state basketball tournament play in Billings

Always remember the "rest of the story."

At first glance, things might not look so good for the Flathead Braves basketball team.

The Braves (6-15) travel to Helena today for a 6 p.m. playoff game against Helena Capital (15-5).

The winner will take on Great Falls at 4 p.m. Thursday in the first round of the Class AA boys state basketball tournament in Billings. The loser calls it a season.

Flathead has played the Bruins twice this season - and lost both games. So, on that note, fans might be a bit discouraged. But there is another side to this story.

It's true that Flathead has lost twice to Capital - but once was 55-47 in overtime at Capital. The Bruins won the second game 54-53 on a last second 3-pointer by senior guard Clayton Goodhart.

"We all hurt over that one," Flathead coach Fred Febach said of the second loss.

"But we feel we've got a good chance to go down there and win a ball game. We've just got to play well," Febach said.

The Braves also have a bit of momentum going for themselves with their 68-61 playoff win earlier this week at Missoula Big Sky.

"It was nice to go on the road and get a playoff win," Febach said of the Tuesday playoff victory.

"The kids are excited. We're anxious to go to Helena and try again," he added.

"I'm just excited to take a team down there and compete. We're not going to change hardly anything," Febach said.

Keys will be good team defense and patience on the offensive end, the coach said. Flathead will try to dictate the game's tempo with its defense, then hope to get the most out of each possession.

"We feel good. It's going to be a challenge. If we play smart, we play with some poise, some patience … I feel good about our chances," he said.

"They're not going to change much, either," Febach said of the Bruins.

"They're 15-5. They'll be gunned up to play."

Starters tonight for Flathead will be 5-foot-10 senior guard Jordan Lister, 6-2 junior guard/forward Beau Watkins, 6-4 senior forward/post Andrew Cavigli, 6-2 senior forward/post John Farrier and 6-4 sophomore forward/post Geoff Hogan.

"We feel that's a good lineup," the coach said.

Farrier leads Flathead in scoring with just over 11 points per game. Hogan adds eight points and leads in rebounds with seven per game.

One other thing - the Braves are a phenomenal 42-for-61 at the free throw line in their last two games.

"You can't ask for much more than that," Febach said. "At this time in the season, that's pretty important. That means your kids are playing aggressive.

"They're upbeat. They're energized. (The Braves) still want to go (play basketball.) That's the really fun part."