The Jefferson High basketball season kicks off this week, as the Panthers travel to Red Lodge for a tournament on Friday and Saturday. The varsity boys will open at 12:30 p.m. Friday against Columbus, with the varsity ladies following against Columbus at 2 p.m. The JV boys will play at 3 p.m., and the JV girls at 4:30 p.m.
Saturday’s opponent is Joliet. The varsity girls start things off at 9:30 a.m., with varsity boys at 11 a.m., JV girls at noon, and JV boys at 1:30 p.m.
The basketball squads will host Whitehall next Thursday, Dec. 15, then travel to Anaconda on Friday, Dec. 16 and host Manhattan on Saturday, Dec. 17. They’ll travel to Three Forks on Dec. 20, then finish 2022 on Dec. 21 at home against Choteau.
After their tournament in Cascade last weekend, the wrestlers are at home this Thursday for the Jefferson invitational tournament. They’ll travel to Whitehall Dec. 9-10, then to Great Falls Dec. 16-17 for the CMR Holiday tournament. They’ll close out the year at the Bigfork mixer Dec. 22.
Several Panther football players made the Independent Record all-area football team. Dylan Root made first team running back and kicker, Tavan McMaster first team guard, and Luke Oxarart first team all-purpose. Brady Armstrong, Zach Zody, and Dalton Noble were named honorable mention.
On defense, Armstrong was first-team at lineman, Caleb Smartnick first team outside linebacker, Zody at safety, and Oxarart at punt returner and all-purpose. Congratulations to all.
In college football, meanwhile, Montana State rolled over Weber State last Saturday, 33-25 to advance in the NCAA Football Championship Subdivision playoffs. The Bobcats will host William and Mary this Friday night in Bozeman. Montana did not fare as well, coming out on the short end against North Dakota State, 49-26 to end its season.
