FRENCHTOWN — The Butte Central boys and girls basketball teams opened the 2025–26 season Friday at the Frenchtown Tip-Off Tournament, coming away with a split against Browning.
The Maroon boys made a strong opening-night statement with a 67–55 win, while the girls dropped a 52–38 decision in their season opener.
Girls: Browning 52, Butte Central 38
Browning jumped out early and set the tone, building a first-quarter lead and holding off Butte Central in the Maroons’ first game of the season.
Jordyn Samson led Central with 13 points, while Zayonna Otherbull added 10. Braelynn Schelin finished with 6 points and Lucy Fantini knocked down a three as the Maroons showed improvement late, outscoring Browning 15–12 in the fourth quarter.
Boys: Butte Central 67, Browning 55
The Butte Central boys controlled the game after the opening quarter and pulled away in the second half behind a balanced offensive effort.
Joshua Sutton scored a game-high 25 points, including four three-pointers, and Jaxon Hiatt added 18 points. GG Fantini chipped in 13, as Central knocked down six three-point shots and closed strong in the fourth quarter.
BOX SCORES
Girls
BROWNING (1-0) — Tess Troubley 2 2-4 9, Josephine Michael 4 0-0 8, Mylee Pretty Weasel 1 0-0 2, Nyahrae Tatsey 0 0-0 0, Dolly Michael 8 2-6 18, Zoey Vanandray 1 0-0 2, Kenadee Ollinger 5 0-2 10, Tya Spoonhunter 0 0-0 0, Tesley Nogberry 0 0-0 0, Rylinn Kipp-Carson 0 0-0 0, Brooklyn Bird 1 1-2 3.
Totals: 23 5-14 52.
BUTTE CENTRAL (0-1) — Marly Mansanti 0 0-0 0, Kenzie McQueary 0 3-7 3, Zayonna Otherbull 4 2-5 10, Rylee Forbes 0 0-2 2, Natalie Oterman 1 0-1 2, Lucy Fantini 1 0-3 3, Jordyn Samson 4 4-8 13, Arika Stajcar 1 0-0 2, Braelynn Schelin 2 1-5 6.
Totals: 13 10-25 38.
Browning
16 8 16 12 — 52
Butte Central
5 6 12 15 — 38
3-point goals — Browning 1 (Troubley), BC 2 (Fantini, Samson).
Fouls — Browning 23, BC 16.
Fouled out — none.
Technicals — none.
Boys
BROWNING (0-1) — Layton Wing 2 0-0 6, Royce Mad Plume 1 0-0 3, Roy Mad Plume 2 2-4 7, Shayde St. Goddard 5 2-2 12, Josh Skunkcap 4 1-3 9, Jhett Cobell 2 1-2 7, Jesse D. 0 0-0 0, Jack B. 0 0-0 0, Eli E. 0 0-2 0, Reis Reevis 5 0-4 11.
Totals: 21 6-17 55.
BUTTE CENTRAL (1-0) — Ryan Peoples 0 1-3 1, Cade Kelly 1 0-0 2, Joshua Sutton 7 7-10 25, GG Fantini 5 2-2 13, Jaxon Hiatt 4 9-9 18, Noah Sutton 1 3-6 5, Henley Mansanti 0 0-0 0, Burkley Lakkala 0 3-4 3.
Totals: 18 25-34 67.
Browning
2 16 17 20 — 55
Butte Central
13 12 18 24 — 67
3-point goals — Browning 7 (Cobell 2, Wing 2, Royce Mad Plume, Roy Mad Plume, Reevis), BC 6 (Joshua Sutton 4, Fantini, Hiatt).
Fouls — Browning 30, BC 18.
Fouled out — Royce Mad Plume, Skunkcap; Peoples.
Technical — Royce Mad Plume.
Up Next
The Butte Central girls face Columbia Falls at 10 a.m. Saturday, with the boys to follow at 11:30, as Frenchtown Tip-Off play continues.
