Prep Boys’ Basketball
Stevensville at Butte Central, 4 p.m.
There’s no other way to put it, this game at the Maroon Activities Center is huge. The Maroons’ hopes of a first-round bye at the Southwestern A Divisional tournament might hang in the balance as the high-powered Yellowjackets come to town. No. 2-ranked Stevensville, which beat Class AA power Missoula Hellgate in Missoula last week, is 5-0 in conference play. Jared Schultz averages 14.4 points per game to lead three Yellowjackets in double figures. Big sophomore Jesse Sims adds 12.5 points and 8.2 rebounds per game, while Zach Gavlak scores 12.0. The Maroons (3-2 in conference and 7-4 overall) are trying to bounce back from Thursday’s home loss to Helena High. Brady Tippett scored 15 points in that loss. Marcus Ferriter scored 12. The Yellowjackets beat BC in a 62-61 thriller Dec. 13 in Stevensville. Stevi also beat BC in a white-knuckle semifinal game at divisionals last year.
Prep Girls’ Basketball
Butte Central at Stevensville, 4 p.m.
The Maroons need to shake off a couple of sluggish performances as they jump back into Southwestern A play against the Yellowjackets. BC is 5-0 in conference action, but BC is coming off Thursday’s loss at previously winless Helena High. Danee Leary and Mariah Conney each scored 12 points in that loss which saw BC hit on just 15 of 55 shots. The Maroons beat Stevensville 66-60 in double overtime Dec. 13 in Butte. Future Lady Griz Alycia Sims averages 17.3 points and 9.6 boards to lead the Yellowjackets, who are 2-2 in conference. Kyla Paulson averages 12.3 points per game.
Prep Wrestling
Butte High at AA Duals in Great Falls, 10 a.m.
The Bulldogs head to their last big tournament before the seeding tournament on Feb. 2. Butte High is hoping a return to health will kick start the team for a stretch run. Tommy Challeen (145 pounds) and Bryce Armstrong (152) are looking to continue a strong season. Both Bulldogs placed second in their weight class at last week’s Jug Beck Rocky Mountain Classic.
Prep Swimming
Butte High at Missoula, noon
The Bulldogs will get in their second-to-last tune up before the state meet when they jump in the pool today. Butte High’s girls placed fifth last week in Great Falls. The boys took fourth. Keegan Whelan and Adria Bentley each picked up a first-place finish in the tournament. Bentley also joined Gavin Sison, Jacob Wheeler, Airika Bentley, and Jake Bentley with two top-five finishes.
