The Butte Central Maroons are moving on.
Behind a huge performance from Joshua Sutton and a milestone moment for the senior guard, Butte Central pulled away from Browning for a 73–54 victory to advance in the divisional tournament.
Sutton led the way with 30 points and in the process surpassed 1,000 career points as a Maroon, adding another memorable chapter to his standout career.
The game started evenly with the teams tied at 9–9 after the first quarter, but the Maroons seized control in the second. Butte Central erupted for 29 points in the frame, building a 38–24 halftime lead that put the game firmly in their hands.
Sutton knocked down five three-pointers, while Ryan Peoples added 19 points and hit three triples of his own to keep the pressure on the Indians.
Cade Kelly chipped in 9 points, Noah Sutton added 7, and GG Fantini finished with 5 as the Maroons showcased their balanced scoring attack.
Browning was led by Reis Reevis with 18 points and Royce Madplume with 11, but foul trouble and Butte Central’s perimeter shooting proved too much to overcome. Three Browning players fouled out in the contest.
With the win, the Maroons advance and will face top-seeded Ronan tomorrow.
Box Score
Browning (11–8)
Noah Butterfly 7, Roy Madplume 2, Shayde St. Goddard 0, Reis Reevis 18, Royce Madplume 11, Layton Wing 7, Jhett Cobell 1, Joshua Skunkcap 6, Eli Edwards 4, Jack Billedeaux 3, Ayden Warden 0, Jesse Denny 0.
Totals — 21 field goals, 9-18 free throws, 54 points
Butte Central (16–3)
Ryan Peoples 19, Cade Kelly 9, Joshua Sutton 30, GG Fantini 5, Jaxon Hiatt 3, Noah Sutton 7, Burkley Lakkala 0, Henly Mansanti 0, Gunnar O’Brien 0.
Totals — 20 field goals, 19-28 free throws, 73 points
Score by quarter
Browning — 9 | 15 | 14 | 16 — 54
Butte Central — 9 | 29 | 14 | 21 — 73
3-pointers: Browning 3 (Reevis 2, Wing). Butte Central 12 (J. Sutton 5, Peoples 3, Kelly 2, N. Sutton, Fantini).
Fouls: Browning 27, Butte Central 17.
Fouled out: Skunkcap, Reevis, Royce Madplume.
