Review: Eastern A Divisional - Boys

Wow! Who lit the fire under Central?!?

The Rams came into the 6-team tourney as the 5th seed with a 5-13 record. Granted, they were 4-6 in conference and 2nd place Sidney was only 6-4, but Central had just not shown that they could overcome their turnover and offensie woes to warrant such a run!

Big congrats to 1st year head coach Sheldon Hanser who has his boys playing with an unbelievable intensity and passion. I remember being at a Rams practice at the beginning of the season, and seeing the entire team run stairs...over and over again...and turning to Richie and saying, "Can you believe how much conditioning these guys are doing?!?"

Now, Central is one of the most athletic teams in the State and has hit their stride at the perfect time.

As for the other Eastern A Team going to the State Tourney...it's Laurel, who wins their challenge game over Sidney 45-41 in Miles City Monday night. The Locomotives, who went into the tourney as the undefeated #1 seed, fell victim to the 1-seed jinx (told ya!), and lost their semi to that very hot Central team on their way to the title.

Luckily enough for Laurel, Central's run continued through the title game by beating Sidney, giving the Locomotives, who got a hard-fought victory over Hardin in the 3rd place game, the opportunity to challenge Sidney on Monday Night. And big props to Laurel and coach Pat Hansen for regrouping and winning a very tough game over a solid Eagles squad.

So congrats Central and Laurel...you live to fight another day. Tomorrow in fact...

Your boys State A kicks off at the Metra tomorrow afternoon: Central plays Dillon @ 2:00 pm, and Laurel plays Stevensville in the night contest @ 8:00 pm.