Kats start with Billings Central

It’s not so much who’s in this year, as it is who’s back. And that could be a problem for the rest of the field.

The Anaconda Copperheads will be looking to make it three straight Class A state girls basketball championships this weekend when the teams tip it off in Hamilton.

Anaconda (17-3) has the second best record in this year’s tournament field, and has posted an impressive 58-8 record during its championship reign.

The Copperheads will play the final game on Thursday in the opening round, facing Havre (11-11), who also advanced to state a year ago.

The other returning team is Columbia Falls (14-6), which kicks tournament action off versus Billings Central (15-6) at 12:30 p.m. The Wildkats are competing at state for a second straight year and the third time in four years.

Polson (14-6) is one of the five new teams in this year’s field. The Pirates have a 6:30 p.m. meeting with Sidney (18-2).

The other two newcomers are Butte Central (12) and Frenchtown (12-10). They meet at 2 p.m.

Columbia Falls was eliminated in two games last year at state, falling to Hamilton 51-48 in overtime and then to Glendive, 53-40.

The Wildkats this year have momentum working in their favor, having won three straight games and eight of their last nine.

“That’s interesting, I was just thinking about that today,” Columbia Falls coach Dan Fairbank said of playing in the opening game at state.

“I don’t know whether I’ve done that before; I don’t think I have.”

Fairbank said the early start could work to his team’s advantage.

“Not a monstrous crowd (at that time of the day),” he said.

“The girls will be kind of relaxed.

“Normally, it’s a hard- fought aggressive game,” he said of the opener.

“(The players) haven’t been able to watch any of the games. Both teams start off rugged in that game.

“If we take care of the ball, play defense like we’re capable of and control the boards, I think we’ll be all right.”

Although the two teams with the best records are in the opposite bracket, Fairbank says Billings Central is not to be overlooked.

“It would be nice (to think we have the easier bracket), but Billings Central is a very good basketball team, too,” he said.

“Not overly tall, but extremely fast. They like to push the ball up the floor in a hurry.”

To offset that, Fairbank said the Wildkats must “make sure we take care of our transition defense.”

Kayla DeWit, a 6-foot-2 junior, and Kelsey DeWit, a 6-1 senior, have enjoyed a banner season to date for the Wildkats. Kayla is averaging 19 points and 12 rebounds per game while Kelsey is at 14 points and 13 rebounds.

Up next is Shay Grilley, a 5-8 senior, at nine points.

“She really has come on in the last few games,” Fairbank said of Grilley.

“She’s been shooting the ball really well, taking advantage of everyone trying to stop our inside game.”

Danielle Gilley, a 5-8 junior, has also demonstrated she can help out on the offensive end as needed.

“Dani had a couple games she scored 8-10 points for us,” Fairbank said.

“She does a phenomenal job of taking care of the ball. She had only three turnovers against Polson (championship game). She’s turned into a real solid point guard for us.”

 Fairbank said the Wildkats have spent the week fine tuning some things and working on transition defense. He’s also had to deal with an injury issue.

Kayla DeWit sprained her ankle in the second quarter of the championship game. In her first practice since then, she rolled it again on her first trip down the court after stepping on someone’s foot.

“Hopefully today and tomorrow,” Fairbank said of getting her ready to start.

“We’ll keep working at it. We’ll see how it feels for her on Thursday.”

Fairbank said no one knew of the injury during the championship game.

“She didn’t tell anybody,” he said.

“She could barely walk when the game was over.

“Tougher than nails,” Fairbank said of Kayla.

“She will never complain.”

Polson, like Columbia Falls, also has had to deal with an injury issue. The Pirates lost Sierra Pete to an ACL in the opening minute of the championship game with the Wildkats.

Polson lost that game, 48-46.

The 5-9 junior was Polson’s top inside defensive player, something it will miss when facing Sidney and the Eagles talented Jordan Sullivan, a 6-2 senior center. Sullivan has signed to play for the Lady Griz.

“Everything goes through her,” Polson coach Randy Kelley said of Sullivan.

“She brings the ball down the floor for them, she posts up for them, I’m pretty sure she leads them in assists. She has good eyes for the floor.”

 Polson has faced a trio of talented big girls in Northwestern A this year in the DeWits and Libby’s Jackie Mee. Polson lost three times to Columbia Falls (by 21, seven and two points), but went 2-1 versus Libby.

“Someone else will have to step up defensively for us,” Kelley said.

“She (Pete) battles, get in the hip pocket. You don’t lose her very easy. We’ll have to get that out of Bri (Breanne Kelley) and Nicole (Davey). They’re pretty good defenders, have quick feet.”

Kayla Duford will start for Pete, who was averaging 10 points per game.

“Kayla stepped in and scored nine points in that game (Columbia Falls),” coach Kelley said.

 Breanne Kelley leads Polson in scoring at 12 points per game.

Davey is averaging 9.5 points and seven rebounds; and Riley Kenney 11 points and seven rebounds.

Polson’s last trip to state was in 2006. The Pirates have never won a state title, but finished second in 1993.