The fall sports season is winding down. High school volleyball came to a close last weekend with the state championships held at Montana State University in Bozeman.
In Class AA, Helena’s Capital High won its second straight title, capping an undefeated season. It tore through the tournament, defeating Bozeman in three, Billings West in four, Great Falls CMR in four and rival Helena High in three. Helena High took second, Great Falls CMR third, and Bozeman fourth.
In Class A, Corvallis took first, with Billings Central second, Dawson County Third, and Havre fourth.
Huntley Project won its third Class B title in a row, and ran its win record to 100 straight. Joliet put up a battle in the championship match, but finally went down 25-17, 25-20, 23-25, 23-25, 7-15. Florence-Carlton took third, with Choteau fourth.
Manhattan Christian came a long way back to win the Class C title: It lost to Bridger in the semi-final match, then came back to beat Belt in order to play Bridger again. Volleyball is a true double elimination, so when Manhattan Christian edged Bridger in five sets in the title match, it forced another title match with Bridger. That match also went to five sets with Manhattan Christian finally taking the crown. Bridger placed second, with Belt third and Plentywood fourth.
Proof of how strong Jefferson High’s schedule was this year: The Panthers played five of the eight Class B teams that made it to the state tourney, as well as Class C champion Manhattan Christian, during the regular season.
In Class B football, Manhattan topped Fairfield by 25-19 in one state semi-final, and Lincoln County (Eureka) slipped by Red Lodge, 39-35, in the other. All four teams were undefeated going into these games. Manhattan, which topped Jefferson, 27-6, in the final game of the regular season, will host Lincoln County for the championship game this Saturday.
Back at home, Panther practices start Nov. 21 for girls and boys basketball and wrestling. The JHS wrestlers will see their first action on Dec. 6-7 when they compete in a tournament in Cascade. The first basketball games for Jefferson are in the Three Forks tournament Dec. 13-14.
