Briefs: SCS Cougars win MCAA boys title

The Stillwater Christian Cougars won the Montana Christian Athletic Association boys basketball state tournament over the weekend, with three wins in Great Falls.

Behind tournament Most Valuable Player Isaac Shawback —  and four more all-tournament selections — the Cougars beat Yellowstone County Home School 75-63, then Gallatin Valley Home School 66-40 in the semifinals.

In the championship SCS downed Petra Academy out of Bozeman 61-35.

Besides Shawback, Kaden Drish and Elijah Linn made the all-MCAA Tournament first team; Cooper Dudley and Ryan Buzzard were second-team picks.

Weber’s Jones Big Sky POW again

Weber State’s Dillon Jones, who had games of 29 and 30 points over the weekend, was named Big Sky Conference men’s basketball player of the week Tuesday for a seventh time this season and the 15th time in his career.

Jones averaged seven rebounds and 8.5 assists while Weber pushed its win streak to six games. His two free throws capped a closing 8-0 Wildcat run in a 70-69 win at Idaho.

Others nominated for the award include Montana’s Dischon Thomas and Idaho’s Julius Mims. Mims is a junior out of Billings averaging 11.7 points and 7.6 rebounds for the Vandals.

EWU’s Loera earns women’s award

Eastern Washington's Jamie Loera has earned Big Sky Conference Player of the Week honors for women’s basketball after posting 36 points over two road wins this week. 

Loera powered the Eagle's offense averaging 18 points and 5.5 rebounds per game. The graduate student also had11 assists and six steals wins over Idaho State (59-56) and Weber State (74-54).

Others nominated included Dani Bartsch of Montana and Leia Beattie of Northern Arizona.