District tournament action next for Eureka boys, girls
So far, Eureka has navigated its way through District 8-B girls basketball play without any major problems.
The Lions, for the second straight year, went undefeated in league action, 10-0, while posting a 16-2 mark overall.
Smooth sailing so to speak, as both losses were to Class A competition. Eureka also won two Class A contests.
"It's been a good run," said Eureka coach John Hammond of another perfect league mark.
"That was a goal of ours going in. We'll put that one we reached behind us. We've moved forward."
What lies ahead are two qualifying tournaments - district and divisional - with the ultimate prize a trip to the Class B state tournament in Belgrade March 9-11.
First, Eureka has to contend with the District 8-B tournament, which gets under way today in Ronan. The event runs four days with the top four teams moving on to the Western B Divisional in Polson March 2-4.
Eureka, by virtue of its top finish, has an opening-round bye for the district tournament. The Lions are in action Friday, 1:30 p.m., meeting the winner of today's Troy/Plains winner. Eureka beat both schools home and away during the regular season with the outcomes all decided by at least 25 points.
The lopsided nature of those games does not worry Hammond.
"Regardless of the score, or the opposition, everything we do on our side of the ball is 100 percent," said Hammond.
"We've focused on that this season."
Eureka's starting lineup - which has not varied throughout the season - will consist of: Jessica Marek, senior, post, 5-10; Krista Kakuk, senior, foward, 5-9; Chelsea Workman, senior, guard, 5-8; Sarah Flanary, senior, post, 6-1; and Amy Roberts, junior, forward, 5-11.
Eureka will take a four-game win streak to Ronan.
"We're anxious to get down there, looking forward to it," said Hammond.
"They have a 94-foot court like ours. A big court. That should be an advantage for us.
"We're playin real unselfish (right now)," he continued.
"I Iike where we are at going into this tournament."
While the Eureka girls have the day off, Eureka's boys are in action today at 1 p.m. facing Plains in the 8-B tournament.
Eureka finished league play 5-5 while going 10-8 overall.
Plains was 4-6 in 8-B play and 11-7.
"Played them twice," said Eureka coach Brent Holder of the Horsemen.
"Won in Eureka by four, and lost on Saturday at Plains by two."
Eureka had the lead at Plains with 50 seconds left.
"We handled the end of the game wrong," said Holder.
Plains is led by 6-6 senior Brandon Thompson.
"One of the better players in Western Montana," said Holder.
"In Eureka he had 32, averages 29 a game."
Thompson had 27 points in the final meeting.
Senior Jay Roberts, 6-4, and sophomore John Davis, 6-8, will share time and try to slow Thompson down.
"We've been bringing him along all season just for tournament time," said Holder of Davis.
"We're hoping he's ready."
Also starting for Eureka, winners of six of its final eight games, are: Zach Richter, junior, guard, 5-11; Isiah Linnell, junior, guard/forward, 6-4; Nick Zarnowski, senior, guard, 6-0; and Zach White, senior, forward, 6-3.
Danny Cameron, junior, guard, 5-9, is expected to be back in action. He has missed the last half of the season with a groin injury.
Linnell leads Eureka offensively, averaging 19 points per game. White is nextr at 12.
Linnell also leads in rebouding, 9.5 per contest.
"We just hope to continue our late season surge here," said Holder.
"Our district is so competitive, top to bottom."
St. Ignatius and Thompson Falls, both 8-2 in league play, have first-round byes.
A Eureka victory would send the Lions up against St. Ignatius, 15-3 overall, on Friday, 2:30 p.m.
District 8-B
Boys
Today
1 p.m. - Eureka (10-8) vs. Plains (11-7)
8 p.m. - Arlee (10-8) vs. Troy (1-17)
Thursday
Semifinals
2:30 p.m. - St. Ignatius (15-3) vs. Eureka/Plains winner
6:30 p.m. - Thompson Falls (13-5) vs. Arlee-Troy winner
Friday
1 and 8 p.m. - Loser out
Saturday
2:30 p.m. - Consolation final
6:30 p.m. - Championship
Girls
Today
2:30 p.m. - Plains (6-12) vs. Troy (2-16)
6:30 p.m. - St. Ignatius (8-10) vs. Arlee (2-16)
Thursday
1 p.m. - Eureka (16-2) vs. Troy-Plains winner
6:30 p.m. - Thompson Falls (11-7) vs. Arlee-St. Ignatius winner
Friday
2:30 and 6:30 p.m. - Loser out
Saturday
1 p.m. - Consolation final
8 p.m. - Championship
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Final Standings
District 8-B
Boys
League All Games
W L W L
St. Ignatius 8 2 15 3
Thompson Falls 8 2 13 5
Arlee 5 5 10 8
Eureka 5 5 10 8
Plains 4 6 11 7
Troy 0 10 1 17
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Girls
Eureka 10 0 16 2
Thompson Falls 8 2 11 7
St. Ignatius 6 4 8 10
Plains 3 7 6 12
Troy 2 8 2 16
Arlee 1 9 2 16