HELENA — A huge second half by Helena Capital spelled doom for the Butte High boys’ basketball team.
The Bruins outscored Butte High 49-24 in the second half, and Capital knocked off the Bulldogs 84-54 in a Western AA boys’ basketball game Saturday.
Capital led 34-30 at the half, and the Bruins extended it to 52-41 after three quarters. The Bruins blew the game away with a 31-13 fourth quarter.
Brayden Koch scored all of his game-high 22 points in the second half to lead Capital, which closes the regular season at 16-2 overall and 12-2 in conference play. Jacob Curry scored 20 points in the win that saw Hayden Opitz score 13 and Luke Dowdy toss in 11.
Kenley Leary had another big game to lead the Bulldogs. The senior scored 20 points to lead three Butte players in double figures. Jace Stenson added 11 points, and Cameron Gurnsey netted 10.
Also, Kooper Klobucar scored nine points, Bo Demarais tossed in three, and Rueso Batterman scored one.
Butte High finished the regular season at 4-14 and 4-10. The Bulldogs head back to Helena Thursday to open the Western AA Divisional tournament.
BUTTE HIGH (4-14, 4-10) — Jace Stenson 4 3-4 11, Cameron Gurnsey 4 1-1 10, Kenley Leary 7 2-2 20, Bo Demarais 0 3-4 3, Kooper Klobucar 4 1-2 9, Tocher Lee 0 0-0 0, Rueso Batterman 0 1-2 1, Jonas Sherman 0 0-0 0, Garrett Sharp 0 0-0 0, Dylan Bache 0 0-0 0, Colton Shea 0 0-0 0, Alex Watson 0 0-0 0. Totals 19 11-15 54.
HELENA CAPITAL (16-2, 12-2) — Hayden Opitz 6 1-2 13, Trysten Mooney 0 0-0 0. Brayden Koch 7 5-7 22, Jacob Curry 8 2-3 20, Jamey Michelotti 0 0-0 0, Luke Dowdy 4 3-4 11, Nick Michelotti 1 1-2 3, Joey Michelotti 1 1-2 4, Hudsen Grovom 0-0 2, Tyler Kovick 2 1-2 5, Austin Buehler 1 1-2 3. Totals 31 15-24 83.
Butte High 16 14 11 13 — 54
Helena Capital 14 20 18 31 — 83
3-point goals — Butte 5 (Leary 4, Gurnsey), Capital 6 (Koch 3, Curry 2, Joey Michelotti). Fouls — Butte 18, Capital 12. Fouled out — Nick Michelotti. Technicals — none.
