Stillwater boys MCAA state champs
HELENA — Stillwater Christian School captured the Montana Christian Athletic Association state boys basketball tournament title on Saturday at Carroll College.
The Cougars, the top seed from the West, beat Yellowstone County Home School, the No. 1 East seed, 46-39 in the title game.
Isaac Neumann and BJ Bach topped Stillwater in scoring with 11 and 10 points, respectively.
Clayton Hashley hit a pair of 3s and finished with eight points.
Stillwater and Yellowstone were tied at 19-all at the half.
Yellowstone’s Josh Broadbent led all scorers with 19 points.
Stillwater finished the season with a 13-11 mark overall.
“We played some great defense to hold a very good Knight team (to 39 points),” Stillwater coach Dana Hashley said.
“Our mix of full-court zones followed by a half-court matchup caused a low scoring game.”
Clayton Hashley said Nathan Chuang “had three momentum changing defense charges.
“We definitely won because of team defense and passing,” he said.
“Down the stretch plays were made by penetration, pass and pass for a layup. Though not our favorite style of play, we stayed like we have all season — steadfast, hard working and positive. I am so proud of our play and determination.”
Stillwater Christian 10 9 10 17 — 46
Yellowstone County 11 8 7 13 — 39
STILLWATER CHRISTIAN — Schuylar Kauffman 3, Clayton Hashley 8, Nathan Chuang 4, BJ Bach 10, Daniel Lambert 2, Matt VanSomeren 6, Isaac Neumann 11, Alex Sulzbacher 2.
YELLOWSTONE COUNTY HOME SCHOOL — Tanner Greenfield 3, Logan Yurt 9, Josh Broadbent 19, Trenton Reiter 2, Naaman Lund 6.
Girls
Stillwater Christian 3rd
The Stillwater Christian School settled for third place.
The Cougars defeated Flathead Valley Home School 61-34 in a loser-out battle, then topped Gallatin Valley Home School 60-43 in the third-place game.
Stillwater last year finished second, which snapped a title run of three straight.
Stillwater (16-5) was led in the final by Sarah Paolini, who turned in a monster game with 25 rebounds and 25 points. She also had four assists and three steals.
Serena Koch tallied 15 points and six assists. Janelle Falk added 12 points and six assists.
It was the final game for seniors Paolini, Falk, Megha Tannehill and Amanda Kaufmann.
Tannehill scored four points and pulled down five rebounds in the consolation final.
“The girls game out today and played two excellent games,” SCS coach Sarah O’Rourke said.
“They decided after losing out last night (Friday) that they were going to bring home a trophy and they did it. They were firing on all cylinders for both of these games. They played excellent defense, moved the ball wall and scored well. We had more assists in these two games than we have had all season. The seniors really stepped up their leadership in these final two games to make it happen. All of the girls played hard, played together and played with class. I am so proud of their efforts.”
Third Place
Gallatin Valley 6 11 10 16 — 43
Stillwater Christian 21 17 16 6 — 60
GALLATIN VALLEY — Courtney Lieurance 17, Hannah Flook 2, Anna Barrett 4, Karlie Perry 5, Hannah SousLojus 15.
STILLWATER CHRISTIAN — Serena Koch 15, Janelle Falk 12, Dori Smith 4, Sarah Paolini 25, Megha Tannehill 4.
Loser Out
Flathead Valley 7 14 7 6 — 34
Stillwater Christian 19 7 21 14 — 61
FLATHEAD VALLEY HOME SCHOOL — Victoria Hanson 10, Madeline Sproul 3, Krissa Williams 3, Lexi Ehlers 12, Priscilla Rajkowski 5.
STILLWATER CHRISTIAN — Serena Koch 11, Janelle Falk 7, Adrianna Lambert 6, Alisa Venman 3, Dori Smith 13, Sarah Paolini 15, Megha Tannehill 6.