Eastern A Divisional Preview - Boys

While the B and C schools have District tournaments directly after their regular seasons, the Class A Boys and Girls take about 10 days to 2 weeks off during that stretch. So by the time Divisionals come around, teams are hoping their time off doesn't show on the court.

That's what the Eastern A is praying for tonight as the Boys and Girls Divisionals kick off at Metrapark. With 6 teams in each division, the top get byes, while the #3 and #6 seeds square off, as well as the #4 and #5 seeds.

Boys (Top two advance)

Here are todays 1st Round boys matchups @ Metrapark:

#4 Glendive (10-9) v. #5 Billings Central (6-13) - 4:00 PM
#3 Hardin (10-7) v. #6 Miles City (1-17) - 8:00 PM

#1 Laurel (11-7...10-0 in Eastern A) - Bye
#2 Sidney (11-7) - Bye

1. Who's the favorite?

This may seem like a slam dunk answer. Laurel is 10-0 in the Eastern A, and no one else is any better than 6-4. And don't get me wrong, I am saying Laurel is the favorite, but there are a few reasons to doubt the Locomotives.

First of all, the Eastern A is always one of the most athletic divisions in all of Class A, maybe in all of Montana. The schools are big enough to produce a lot of quality players, even if the team's record doesn't show it. Hardin, Sidney, Glendive, and Central all are good enough to beat any one of the others teams in this bracket, including Laurel.

Secondly, there has been a #1 seed jinx in the past in this tournament. It seems like the Bye actually hurts a lot of teams, because the #1 seed has lost their semifinal game quite a few times over the past few years. That's obviously not something Laurel can control, but it's somethin to think about. Like I mentioned, these teams have not played a game in two weeks, so to get that first one under your belt can help the lower seeds mesh while Laurel will be going in cold.

With all that said, Laurel is the favorite to win this bracket, but I would not be surprised if they get upset in the finals.

2. Non-Conference Champ with best chance to win Divisional?

Of the teams other than Laurel, I believe Hardin has the best chance to come out of this tourney as the Divisional Champ. Hardin is probably the quickest team in this bracket, and will run you out of the gym if you're not careful. The Bulldogs struggle when you slow the game down, and thus only came out of the regular season with a 5-5 conference record. But if the Bulldogs get it going, they can be very dangerous.

3. Eastern A Divisional Tourney Predictions:

Here is how I think the bracket will unfold over the next three days:

Thursday 1st Round Games: Central over Glendive...Hardin over Miles City

Friday Semifinals: Laurel over Central...Hardin over Sidney

Saturday Consolation: Central over Sidney

Saturday Championship: *Laurel over Hardin

*Central will challenge Hardin since they did not play in the tourney, but I believe Hardin will win. Thus, Laurel and Hardin will advance to State.