For the first time since 2021, Billings Central Boys Basketball has brought home a state title. With a dominant 70-40 win over Dillon, the Rams won the title with a record of 21-2. In the semifinals, they avenged their loss to Lockwood with another commanding 61-38 win over the Lions. As for the ladies, their bid at a third straight title was cut short by the Havre Blue Ponies, who won their sixth title in the past nine years.
Junior Cy Hansen shoots a three against Lockwood in the Semi-Final game. (Joshua Strydom)
Senior Toby Stewart led the boys in scoring with 23 points in the title game, and scored 53 points in three games at the state tournament. Senior Darcy Merchant was second in team scoring, with 16 in the championship and 48 points total. Senior Annika Stergar led the Lady Rams in scoring, highlighted by her 27-point performance against Frenchtown in the semifinal game.
Senior Kamryn Reinker lines up at the free throw line against Havre in the Basketball State Championship game. (Joshua Strydom)
During the regular season, Billings Central Boys’ only losses came against aforementioned Lockwood and AA state runners-up Billings West. They got their revenge against the Golden Bears a week later, when they beat them 74-72 in overtime in The First Interstate Arena at MetraPark. The Lady Rams’ losses also came against West, who beat them both times they played, and Havre in the title game.
Frenchtown’s boys took third place in Class A, with a 53-45 win over Lockwood in the third-place game. Hardin’s ladies took third, in a double-overtime thriller against Frenchtown.
Congratulations to the Rams and Lady Rams on a great season.
