Beavers perfect in yet another Dillon title

The Dillon Beavers are champions again.

Tanner Haverfield poured in 26 points to lead the way tonight, and the Beavers beat Billings Central 59-45 in the championship game of the Class A State boys’ basketball tournament. Stats

The win capped Dillon’s fifth state championship since 2007. It also is the Beavers’ second undefeated season in that stretch. Dillon (24-0) also went undefeated under head coach Terry Thomas in 2007.

Try Anderson and Michael Haverfield each scored nine points in the victory. Jamey Richardson and Kyson Wilson scored 16.

Peyton Hanser and Jet Campbell scored 13 to lead the Rams (17-8). Shay Dantic scored 10

Fierce Panther comeback falls short in consolation

It was nearly a comeback for the ages.

The Belgrade Panthers nearly erased a 22-point third-quarter deficit before falling 54-47 to Polson in the third-place game of the Class A State boys’ basketball tournament Saturday night at the Butte Civic Center. Stats

Belgrade outscored the Pirates 28-16 in the final frame, and cut the lead to 48-44 with 1 minute, 11 seconds left. The lead, though, proved to be too large.

Polson 13-6 after the first quarter and 29-10 at the half. After leading by 22 points midway through the third quarter, the Pirates took a 38-19 advantage into the fourth.

Matthew Renvold scored 17 points and grabbed 11 rebounds to lead the Pirates (17-9). Jeremiah Peigan North scored 15 and pulled down seven boards.

Dawson Fowler scored 17 to lead the Panthers (16-10). Trey Layman scored 12. Brock Salsbury, who scored nine points, grabbed 11 rebounds.

Central season ends with OT loss to Pirates

Butte Central’s season came to an end this morning with a 62-59 overtime loss to Polson during the Class A State boys’ basketball tournament at the Butte Civic Center. Stats

Polson (16-9) advances to tonight’s 6:30 third-place game. The Maroons close the season at 14-11.

Tanner Wilson poured in 23 points to lead three Pirates in double figures. Jaydon Bautista scored 19, while Matthew Rensvold added 10 points and 12 rebounds.

BC senior Nate McGree closed his prep hoops career with 13 points. His contested, off-balance 3-point attempt at the buzzer just missed the mark. Classmate Tanner ump scored 11 points, while freshman Matt Simkins scored 10.

BC also got nine points apiece from senior Sam Johnston and sophomore Cade Holter.

POLSON 62 BUTTE CENTRAL 59

POL TOP SCORERS=WILSON=23; BAUTISTA=19; RENSVOLD; MAIN=6

BC TOP SCORERS=MCGREE=13; KUMP=11; M.SIMKINS=10; JOHNSTON=9; HOLTER=9

Panthers send Locomotives home with 57-46 loss

The Belgrade Panthers extended their season by one more game Saturday morning.

Belgrade knocked off Polson 57-46 in a loser-out game of the Class A State boys’ basketball tournament at the Butte Civic Center. Stats

The Panthers will play Polson at 6:30 p.m. in the third-place game. Laurel will head home.

Brock Salsbury scored 22 points and grabbed 10 rebounds to lead the Panthers. Easton Page came off the bench to score 15 points, nine of which came from the free throw line. Dawson Fowler scored 13 point to go along with seven rebounds.

Christian Jones tossed in 24 points to lead the Locomotives.

BELGRADE 57 LAUREL 46

BEL TOP SCORERS=SALSBURY=21; PAGE=15; FOWLER=13

LAU TOP SCORERS=JONES=24; OSBORNE=8