EAST HELENA — Bryson Sestrich and Eric Loos led the way Thursday night as Butte Central knocked off East Helena 49-31.
The game was the Southwestern A boys’ basketball opener for both teams, and the victory lifted the Maroons to 3-0 on the season.
Sestrich, a senior, hit three 3-pointers and scored 13 points in the victory. Loos, a junior, also poured in 13 for the Maroons, who were playing without injured starter Kyle Holter.
Dougie Peoples scored eight points for the Maroons, who led 28-18 at halftime. Jack Keeley sank a pair of treys and scored six points, drew Badovinac tossed in five, and Zane Moodry netted four.
Kaeden Sager Sager scored 14 points to lead the Vigilantes, who fell to 1-3 overall. Kobe Mergenthaler scored 10.
The Maroons are back in action Saturday whey they play host to Dillon in a boys-girls doubleheader at the Maroon Activities Center. BC will unveil their 2020 Class A state championship banner during the twin bill.
BUTTE CENTRAL (1-0, 3-0) — Bryson Sestrich 5 0-1 13, Drew Badovinac 2 1-2 5, Dougie Peoples 4 0-1 8, Eric Loos 3 6-10 13, Jack Keeley 2 0-0 6, Zane Moodry 2 0-0 4, Rye Doherty 0 0-0 0, Joe Seahulster 0 0-0 0, George Riojas 0 0-0 0, Gage Guldseth 0 0-0 0. Totals 8 7-14 49.
EAST HELENA (0-1, 1-3) — Colter Charlesworth 1 1-2 4, Curtis Corzine 1 0-0 2, Jack Nelson 0 0-0 0, Kaeden Sager 5 2-5 14, Kobe Mergenthaler 5 0-0 10, Taigen Hagen 0 1-1 1. Totals 12 3-8 31.
Butte Central 14 14 15 10 — 49
East Helena 9 9 16 6 — 31
3-point goals — BC 6 (Sestrich 3, Keeley 2, Loos 1), E. Helena 3 (Sager 2, Charlesworth 1). Fouls — BC 13, E. Helena 8. Fouled out — none.
