Local players earn MCAA honors

Morgan Paolini of Stillwater Christian and Jace Voigtlander of Flathead Valley Home School were named the MVPs of the MCAA basketball tournaments this weekend in Great Falls.

Paolini, a sophomore, scored a combined 55 points in three games for the second-seeded Cougars, who defeated top seed and defending state champ Helena Christian 44-33 on Saturday to win the girls title for the second time in three years.

Samantha Red Elk, who had 14 points in the title game, was named All Tournament first-team along with teammate Jordan Danz.

The Cougars finished the season 20-3 overall.

On the boys side, Voigtlander, a senior, earned the top honor for the tourney after leading the Crusaders to their first state championship since 2004.

After finishing second the previous two seasons, Flathead Valley got it done this year, edging Stillwater Christian 61-58 on Saturday. The two teams had split during the regular season.

Flathead Valley's Josh Jarvis was named to the first team and Stephen Sprunger and Isaac Rajkowski made the second team.

From Stillwater, Trent Burton and Josh Bray picked up first-team honors.

The Crusaders ended the season 19-4 and Stillwater finished 21-3.