Review: Local C District Tourneys (Guest Blogger)

Hey everybody! Slim here...

Casey already gave you a review of the local B District Tourneys, so I'm here to review the Class C action in town over the past week...the 5C and 6C Tourneys.

For the 5C boys, Broadview-Lavina beat Melstone in the Championship in what I considered a minor upset. Melstone now has to play Harlowton in a challenge game on Monday to decide which of the teams earns the trip to the Southern Divisional Tournament. In the 6C, which was played last weekend, Bridger (1), Plenty Coups (2), and Park City (3) advanced to the Divisional Round.

For the 5C girls, Harlowton beat Reed Point-Rapelje to take home the district crown. Reed Point-Rapelje now plays Ryegate in a challenge game. In the 6C, Joliet (1), Absarokee (2), and Roberts (3) advanced.

1. Best boys team you saw in the local districts?

Even though Bridger pulled the upset of Plenty Coups in the District Championship, the Warriors should still be the team to beat in the Southern Division. They are an athletic team built on a solid inside-out game. They have a legitimate post presence in Alton Smart Enemy, and they can surround him with good shooters and ball handlers. Defensively, when they implemented their press, Bridger struggled to move the ball downcourt. The Warriors have quick hands and aggressively chase the ball. Bridger is a very, very good team, but I think Plenty Coups is just a little bit stronger overall.

2. Best girls team you saw in the local districts?

Joliet, winners of 14 straight, could be considered the favorite heading into Divisionals, but don’t sleep on Harlowton. I was very impressed with what I saw from the Lady Engineers. In the Championship against Reed Point-Rapelje, Harlowton shot the ball extremely well. Bailey Snelling is a freshman point guard who leads the team with a maturity beyond her years. The rest of the team provides more experience, which could prove vital during the next tournament.

3. Best individual boys performer?

I didn’t actually get to watch any of the 5C boys games, so this opinion is a little biased. Bridger epitomizes the team concept—no one player stood out above the rest—so I can’t choose a Scout as the best individual performer. From what I saw, Alton Smart Enemy of Plenty Coups impacted the games more than anybody else. He’s 6’6”, so he typically has a size advantage underneath, and he uses it well. He crashes the offensive glass and gets easy baskets that way, but his teammates also look for him on the break and posting up. His largest impact is on the offensive end, but his size does force opponents to alter their shots on the other end. Defense isn’t his strongest area, but he does rebound well and help his team get out on the break with good outlet passes.

4. Best individual girls performer?

Three girls come to mind for this question: Bailey Snelling from Harlowton, Cindy Kern from Joliet, and Jessie Studiner from Absarokee. All three are the unquestioned leaders of their teams, and the team goes as they go. Kern and Studiner went head-to-head in the District 6C Championship. Studiner put up better individual numbers, but Kern got the win, which has to be taken into consideration when analyzing performances. I have to call Snelling the best individual performer, though. She’s an incredible shooter and sees the floor really well, especially for a freshman. She’s a solid ball handler and a good passer, but she also knows when to take the shot herself. She plays with a toughness and an attitude that motivates and inspires her team.

Stay tuned for my local Class C Divisional Preview coming up!