Arlee boys headed back to state tournament

The Arlee Warriors didn’t get a chance to avenge their only loss of this year to Valley Christian, but they did get to avenge their two losses to Manhattan Christian from last year’s postseason. A year ago, the Warriors lost to Manhattan Christian in the divisional championship, then lost to them again in loser out action at the state tournament. This past Saturday night, the Warriors got another shot at them.

Before matching up with Manhattan Christian in the championship, Arlee breezed through their first two games, defeating Shields Valley by 55 points in the first round, then blowing by Ennis in the semifinals. Coach Zanen Pitts said the team is all on the same page. “Everyone understands the goal. Everyday we get better and better,” he said.

In the championship game, Manhattan Christian jumped out to a small lead before Tyler Tanner hit two three’s and a Brad Brazill and-one tied the score up at 13. Pressure in the backcourt by Isaac Desjarlais kept the Eagles on their toes, and after one, the score was tied up at 20. In the second, the Warriors’ quickness and the Eagles’ height fought against each other, but Arlee’s press prevailed, and with two more three’s by Tanner, the Warriors took a 37-31 lead at halftime. In the third, the Warriors took a hit when Phillip Malatare fouled out just two minutes into the quarter. Pitts was impressed with his sophomore point guard. “He did well not reacting...he did his job coaching his teammates from the bench.” Also in the third, Manhattan Christian switched up their defense, playing a box and one on Tanner, who had 19 points in the first half alone. That didn’t work very well for the Eagles. “You don’t box and one Arlee,” Pitts said. Arlee held a five point lead after the third quarter, and things started close until the second part of the quarter, when Arlee blew things open, going up 66-50 with three minutes left. The Warriors went on to win the game 69-51.

Pitts said after the game, the team briefly celebrated before focusing on the next step. He said he was happy with the way the guys played. “Individual kids really stepped up,” he said, “There is a reason people come from everywhere to watch Arlee play.”

The Warriors take on Culbertson at 12:30 on Thursday at the state tournament in Great Falls.

First round

Arlee 85, Shields Valley 30

Arlee- 23 35 11 16 – 85

Shields- 11 7 8 4 – 30

ARLEE – Patrick BigSam 17, Greg Whitesell 15, Dennis Fisher-Ahenakew 10, Phillip Malatare 9, Isaac Desjarlais 8, Tyler Tanner 7, Brad Brazill 7, Aaron Perry 6, Justis Haynes 4, Rory Bird 2.

SHIELDS VALLEY – Daniel Rivera 12, Bronson Mrystal 8, Tristan Jenkins 5, Hunter Greenfield 3, Brock Peterson 2.

Semifinal

Arlee 69, Ennis 51

Ennis- 13 12 10 16 – 51

Arlee- 24 9 18 18 – 69

ENNIS – Tracy Croy 7, Tanner Wood 2, Cole Crowley 6, Race Owens 1, Jake Knack 9, Gavin McKitrick 15, Ty Morgan 11.

ARLEE – Isaac Desjarlais 3, Philip Malatare 14, Tyler Tanner 27, Justis Haynes 5, Patrick Bigsam 11, Brad Brazil 9.

Championship

Arlee 67, Manhattan Christian 54

Arlee- 20 17 13 17 – 67

MC- 20 11 14 9 – 54

ARLEE – Philip Malatare 4, Isaac Desjarlais 2, Tyler Tanner 30, Greg Whitesell 5, Justis Haynes 8, Patrick BigSam 10, Aaron Perry 2, Brad Brazill 6.

MANHATTAN CHRISTIAN – Kyle Frye 2, Matthew Amunrud 3, Austin Bos 8, Parker Dyksterhouse 5, Connor Vellinga 3, Codey Veltkamp 4, Kevin Blanksma 14, James Ramirez 10, Brad Kamps 5.

ARLEE STATS

STEALS (12) Haynes 3, BigSam 2, Tanner 2, Whitesell 2, Malatare 2, Desjarlais

REBOUNDS (34) Brazill 7, BigSam 7, Tanner 5, Haynes 4, Desjarlias 3, Malatare, Whitesell.

ASSISTS (14) Malatare 5, Tanner 4, Desjarlais 3, Haynes, BigSam

FG - 25/56 (44.6%) 3 PT - 6/13 (46.2%) FT - 11/29 (37.9%)