Pairings set for Class AA, A, B, C state basketball tournaments
Glacier’s boys and girls, Bigfork’s boys and the Columbia Falls girls all have the distinction of playing the first game on Thursday at their respective state basketball tournaments.
Glacier’s girls (15-6) are the third seed from Western AA and will face Great Falls High (18-3), the second seed from Eastern AA, at 9 a.m. at MetraPark Rimrock Auto Arena in Billings. The winner of that contest advances to semifinal action on Friday at 3:30 p.m.
The Glacier boys (11-10) are the third seed from Western AA and will face Great Falls C.M. Russell (11-10), the second seed from Eastern AA, at noon at MetraPark Rimrock Auto Arena in Billings. That winner moves on to semifinal action on Friday at 6:30 p.m.
Top-ranked and undefeated Bigfork tips off Class B action at noon versus Joliet in Bozeman. Bigfork (23-0) is the top seed from the Western division. Joliet is the No. 4 seed from the Southern division. The winner of that matchup is back on the court Friday at 6:30 p.m. for semifinal action.
Bigfork was the regular-season champion in District 7B play and won 7B and Western divisional tournaments.
Top-ranked and once beaten Columbia Falls faces Belgrade at 12:30 p.m. at Four Seasons Arena in Great Falls. Columbia Falls (19-1) is the top seed from the Northwestern division. Belgrade (9-13) is the second seed from the Central division.
Columbia Falls was the regular-season champion in Northwestern A and followed that by winning the Northwestern A divisional tournament.
The Columbia Falls girls will try to match what the Columbia Falls boys did last weekend on the same court — win a state championships.
Class AA State Tournament
Thursday, Friday, Saturday
At MetraPark Rimrock Auto Arena
Billings
Thursday
First-Round Games
Girls
9 a.m. — Great Falls (2E) vs. Glacier (3W)
10:30 a.m. — Missoula Sentinel (1W) vs. Bozeman (4E)
3:30 p.m. — Helena Capital (2W) vs. Billings Senior (3E)
5 p.m. — Billings West (1E) vs. Missoula Big Sky (4W)
Boys
Noon — Great Falls C.M. Russell (2E) vs. Glacier (3W)
1:30 p.m. — Helena Capital (1W) vs. Great Falls High (4E)
6:30 p.m. — Missoula Hellgate (2W) vs. Billings Skyview (3E)
8 p.m. — Billings West (1E) vs. Helena High (4W)
Class A State Tournament
Thursday, Friday, Saturday
Four Seasons Arena
Great Falls
First-Round Games
Girls
12:30 p.m. — Columbia Falls (1NW) vs. Belgrade (2C)
2 p.m. — Hamilton (1 SW) vs. Miles City (2E)
6:30 p.m. — Laurel (1E) vs. Anaconda (2SW)
8 p.m. — Havre (1C) vs. Frenchtown (2 NW)
Class B State Tournament
Thursday, Friday, Saturday
At MSU Brick Breeden Fieldhouse/Shroyer Gym
Bozeman
First-Round Games
Boys
Noon — Bigfork (1W) vs. Joliet (4S)
1:30 p.m. — Huntley Project (1S) vs. Malta (2N)
6:30 p.m. — Glasgow (1N) vs. Boulder (3S)
8 p.m. — Columbus (2S) vs. Florence-Carlton (2W)
Girls
9 a.m. — Deer Lodge (1W) vs. Columbus (4S)
10:30 a.m. — Forsyth (1S) vs. Malta (2N)
3:30 p.m. — Fairfield (1N) vs. Manhattan (3S)
5 p.m. — Shepherd (2S) vs. Loyola Sacred Heart (2W)
Class C State Tournament
Thursday, Friday, Saturday
At Hamilton High School
First-Round Games
Girls
12:30 p.m. — Harlowton/Ryegate (1S) vs. Saco/Whitewater (2E)
2 p.m. — Belt (1N) vs. Gardiner (2W)
6:30 p.m. — Hinsdale (1E) vs. Winnett/Grass Range (2N)
8 p.m. — Shields Valley (1W) vs. Jordan (2SW)