By John Robbins of Buttesports.com 

Butte Central is set to make another run to the Class A State Tournament in Bozeman this year. Brodie Kelly just finished his 19^th season as Butte Central head coach, he has taken his team to the big dance 16 of the last 18 seasons, what a feat.

The Class A State champion Butte Central boys’ basketball team heads up Main Street on Ladder 1 Monday evening. Maroons in front are, from left, Bryson Sestrich, Eric Loos and Kyle Holter. (Bill Foley photos)

Central finished the season at 17-1 which tied the best record in school history, which was last year, and we all know what happened in Missoula at Dalberg Arena. Don Peoples interviewed coach Kelly and asked him what it has meant to be so successful in his tenure at BC, “every year it doesn’t matter how well you did in the regular season because getting to state is hard. I look back to my first year as coach and we made it then and I just remember thinking, man that was tough to get here, and the approach has been the same ever since.”

Dougie goes up over a Dillon defender for two. (Photo by John Robbins Butte Sports.)

Coach had an incredible Eric Loos stat like I mentioned in the senior night article that Loos is undoubtedly the X factor, and we all know what Dougie is capable of, but in Erics last two years when he started varsity the Maroons are a whopping 43-1 when Loos suits up and plays.

Senior Eric Loos boxes out his opponent at the MAC. (Photo by John Robbins for Butte Sports)

Dougie has led the Class A in scoring the past two years and only seems to get better, Kyle Holter is an incredible athlete and can get you buckets and defensive stops in more ways than one.

Kyle Holter Drives the lane Tuesday night. (Photo John Robbins Butte Sports.)

Then there is sharpshooter Owen McPartland who can make you pay, like Mark Jackson says, hand down, man down, McPartland can cast the rock. Jack Keeley is another great shooter and hustle player.

Owen McPartland loads up for a three ball at the MAC. (Photo by John Robbins Butte Sports.)

Zane Moodry is a great defender and rebounder, Konnor Porchervina would definitely make the all-hustle team and Central is thrilled to have him on the squad as they feed off his physicality and hustle play.

Maroon Zane Moodry looks to pass. (Shelly Davis photo)

Central kicks off their run tomorrow night in Ronan as they will face Whitefish at 8pm. Follow Butte Sports for score updates and stories to follow, I will be watching the game and compiling stories as stats come in.

Jack Keeley Strokes a 3 ball at the Butte Civic Center. (Photo by John Robbins Butte Sports.)