Stillwater girls, boys MCAA state champs

HELENA - Stillwater Christian School captured the Montana Christian Athletic Association state boys and girls basketball titles on Saturday at Carroll College.

The Stillwater girls defended their crown by dropping Gallatin Valley Homeschool 61-50.

The Stillwater boys knocked off defending state champ Flathead Valley Homeschool 29-25 in the title contest.

Girls

Stillwater Christian 61,

Gallatin Valley Homeschool 50

Jordan Danz scored a season-high 26 points and also led Stillwater in rebounds (10), assists (four) and steals (six) as the Cougars posted an 11-point victory.

"Jordan controlled the tempo of the game offensively," Stillwater coach Denise Topp said.

"We really pushed the ball up the court."

After a tight first period, Stillwater in front 12-9, the Cougars rattled off 20 points in the next eight minutes for a 32-20 lead at the half.

Danz scored 18 points in the first half.

"Our defense was very strong and set the tone for the entire game," Topp said.

"We played with intensity and focus."

Samantha Red Elk chipped in 13 points, 11 coming in the second half, for the Cougars and had two assists.

Morgan Paolini totaled 15 points and five steals.

Sarah Paolini pulled down seven rebounds.

Stillwater (20-5) finished the season with a seven-game winning streak.

Stillwater Christian 12 20 13 16 - 61

Gall. Valley Homeschool 9 11 13 17 - 50

STILLWATER CHRISTIAN SCHOOL - Samantha Red Elk 13, Jordan Danz 26, Morgan Paolini 15, Sarah Paolini 5, Evelyn Miller 2.

GALLATIN VALLEY HOMESCHOOL - Rochelle DeGroot 15, Lauren Bailan 5, Hannah Toledo 3, Morgan Lester 6, Kayla Dutton 2, Faith Guttenberg 14, Hannah Sauskojus 5.

Boys

Stillwater 29,

FV Homeschool 25

Stillwater Christian came back from a 16-6 halftime deficit to beat rival Flathead Valley Homeschool.

"It was an amazing battle," Stillwater coach Ted Clark said.

"I take my hat off to FVHS and coach Jim Peterson. Both teams ran their stuff and both teams were well prepared. This was an incredibly fun game to be a part of."

The Cougars took control in the third quarter, erasing the 10-point halftime hole by outscoring the Crusaders 14-3. They kept the heat on in the fourth, scoring nine points to edge the defending champs.

Trevor Holladay led the Cougars with 11 points and seven rebounds, also tallying four steals. Josh Topp scored nine for Stillwater and pulled in five rebounds.

Josiah Sheeran led FVHS with 12 points.

"Both teams played their hearts and souls out on defense," Clark said.

Flathead Valley 11 5 3 6 - 25

Stillwater Christian 2 4 14 9 - 29

FLATHEAD VALLEY HOMESCHOOL - Josiah Sheeran 12, Jake BanBarren 10, Josh Jarvis 3.

STILLWATER CHRISTIAN - Trevor Holladay 11, Josh Topp 9, Josh Bray 7, Ryan Koch 2.