Lucky number 13: 13th straight win earns Warriors first divisional title since 1992
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BUTTE - Just call them the comeback kids.
The Arlee Warriors picked up their first divisional title since 1992 Saturday after having used a pair of comeback wins to reach the Western C championship game.
The Warriors seemed to be in control against Drummond in the championship game Saturday, but that was not the case in Arlee's first two games of the tournament where the Warriors needed strong second-half comebacks to get victories.
Arlee opened the tournament with a 65-53 win over Sheridan Thursday, but things looked bleak for the Warriors at halftime.
Sheridan jumped out to a 14-10 lead after one quarter of action and led 27-19 at the half.
The Warriors turned things around in a hurry in the second half, though, outscoring the Panthers 46-26 over the final 16 minutes to get the win.
Junior Sansavere led the charge for the Warriors, scoring 15 of his game-high 23 points in the second half while Jesse Pfau added 13 and Trae Burland had 12.
Lucas Teixeria led Sheridan with 20 points in the loss.
The Warriors needed another comeback Friday as Arlee got past Twin Bridges in the tournament's semifinal round, 44-37.
Twin Bridges led 12-7 after one quarter and 23-14 at the half before taking a 25-30 lead into the final eight minutes. Arlee opened the fourth quarter with a 9-0 run, capped by a three from Burland, that put the Warriors up 39-35. Robert Walsh answered with a basket for the Falcons, but it would be the only points Twin Bridges would score in the final quarter. Arlee scored the final five points of the contest as the Warriors pulled away for the win.
Burland led the Warriors with 18 points in the victory while Sansavere, Pfau and Thomas McClure each scored seven. McClure also added eight rebounds and five blocked shots in the win.
Cody Pierson and Ethan Nordquist each scored 10 to pace the Falcons.
The Warriors earned their second straight trip to the state tournament with a win over Drummond Saturday as Arlee downed the Trojans 51-46.
In a tight defensive battle, the Warriors grabbed a 5-2 lead after eight minutes of play and led 18-13 at the half. Arlee pushed the lead to 32-26 after three quarters and held off a late charge by Drummond to secure the win and a divisional title.
Burland again led Arlee with 14 points in the win while Pfau scored 11, Kasey Bridgewater and McClure each had nine and Sansavere added eight.
The Warriors will face the second place team from this weekend's Southern C Divisional
Tournament when they open state tournament play in Bozeman March 10.
Summary
Championship
Arlee 51, Drummond 46
Drummond 2 11 13 20 – 46
Arlee 5 13 14 19 – 51
DRUMMOND – Ben Lyons 1, Darius Pool 8, Joe Mannix 10, Bryan Mannix 3, Nate Bignell 15, Mac Bignell 9.
ARLEE – Kasey Bridgewater 9, Thomas McClure 9, Jesse Pfau 11, Junior Sansavere 8, Trae Burland 14.
Semifinal
Arlee 7 7 16 14 - 44
Twin Bridges 12 11 12 2 - 37
ARLEE - Kasey Bridgewater 2, Thomas McClure 7, Jesse Pfau 7, Junior Sansavere 7, Trae Burland 18, Eneas Inmee 3.
TWIN BRIDGES - Cody Pierson 10, Tanner Eggers 2, Ethan Nordquist 10, Robert Walsh 4, Tyler Lott 7, Jacob Vial 2, Paul Peterson 2.
Opening Round
Arlee 65, Sheridan 53
Sheridan 14 13 10 16 - 53
Arlee 10 9 23 23 - 65
SHERIDAN - Nathan Allhands 2, Bradley Lueck 11, Kenneth Schandelmeier 13, Lucas Teixeira 20, Tyler Grover 7.
ARLEE - Kasey Bridgewater 9, Thomas McClure 8, Jesse Pfau 13, Junior Sansavere 23, Trae Burland 12.
