MCAA State basketball: Stillwater, FVHS look to repeat

Stillwater Christian enters this week’s Montana Christian Athletic Association state basketball tournament with the top Western seed in both the boys and girls brackets, the girls looking to win a fourth straight championship at Carroll College in Helena. Flathead Valley Home School holds the second seed in the boys bracket, where the Crusaders will look to defend their state title, and the third seed in the girls.

The tournament, held Thursday to Saturday in the Carroll PE Center, hosts eight boys and girls teams from around the state. 

Stillwater opens the boys bracket against Heritage Christian School of Bozeman. The Cougars are playing for their second state title in three years, playing FVHS in the championship each of the last three years. This season, there is competition for the crown, with Yellowstone County Home School of Billings and Foothills Community Christian of Great Falls bringing tough squads to the tournament. The FVHS boys, positioned on the other side of the bracket, open their title defense against Billings Christian School in the first game of the tournament. 

The Stillwater girls, winners of the last three state titles, look to continue that success, opening against Great Falls Home School. FVHS could face the Cougars in the second round, if they are able to get past Yellowstone County Home School, the second seed from the East. Gallatin Valley Home School of Bozeman holds the East’s top seed.