By John Robbins

Butte High Bulldogs (6-4/7-7) 87 VS Big Sky Eagles (6-4/7-7) 78

In another high scoring affair, the Bulldogs did not need overtime to decide this one, as memories were too fond of their trip to Missoula earlier this season and coming up just short of a victory the last time these teams squared off against one another.

Butte did everything right to open the game against Big Sky, as they remembered their last matchup between the two teams went to overtime and Butte lost by 1. They came out and flat out played, Cam Gursney, Jace Stenson, Hudson Luedtke, and Jonas Sherman all chipped in on the scoring early on for the Bulldogs.

The Eagles missed shots from deep early on but hung right in the contest midway through the first half as Butte would lead 24-19 After a Cayde Stajcar put back for two.

Big Sky would get a steal and a lay in for two on their next possession and Hudson Luedtke would answer right back as he was fouled the next time down and hit both at the line.

Hudson came right back down and put on the spin cycle inside the key for two more 28-23 Dogs with 2:33 to go in the first half. Jonas Sherman would earn a trip to the charity stripe and knock both of those down as well for the Dogs to hold their lead at 4.

Jonas Sherman used his height to his advantage as he kept aggressive on the offensive end and hit a nice little jump hook for 2 with 1:09 to go, he would score 8 in the contest.

Butte High would take a 35-30 lead into the half.

The second half opened up with strong game play and high scoring offenses, every time the Bulldogs would get a nice cushion Big Sky was right on their tail feather and just wouldn’t go away. Hudson Luedtke stayed aggressive and attacked the lane on multiple occasions, along with other teammates like Bo Demarais out hustling Big Sky on the glass and just flat out wanting it more.

Dylan Bache would get a board and be fouled on the way up with three Eagle defenders draped all over him and convert the 3-point play.

Big Sky would start to cash in on some threes in the second half and eventually take the lead from the Bulldogs even though it felt Butte had a rather larger lead with the way the offense was playing, but seniors Cam Gurnsey and Jace Stenson had other plans as they were both relentless on both sides of the ball, sophomore Tocher “Big Shot” Lee joined in as well as he splashed a triple ball from the right wing in a clutch situation to regain the lead, Big Sky would call a timeout.

As the second half was winding down Big Sky was still hanging around until a big steal from Cameron Gurnsey at half court led to a fast break, but not any ordinary fast break, Gurnsey took two dribbles, enabled his bionic leg, and flushed home a jam and the crowd erupted.

Butte High played with a high intensity from start to finish tonight and they never looked back from that point on, as they evened the season series between the two schools at 1 game apiece. Bulldogs win this one 87-78.

The Bulldogs put on a scoring clinic as they saw three score in double figures Hudson Luedtke and Jace Stenson combined for 48 Bulldog points at 24 apiece, Cameron Gurnsey dropped a cool 17, Tocher Lee and Jonas Sherman each had 8, Cayde Stajcar and Dylan Bache both had 3 for the Bulldogs.

Missoula Big Sky was led by Carson Towe who had 23 points, Butte will head to Missoula to take on Hellgate Friday at 7:15.