Spring sports? It sure doesn’t look like track, tennis and golf season with last weekend’s snows, but here we are. With the state basketball tournaments completed last weekend, spring season practices kicked off Monday — although for at least a few days, it looks like those practices will be indoors. (Good thing Jefferson High has two gyms.)
This is a big year for the Panther track and field team: It will christen its brand new track and jump pits on Apr. 2 when it hosts the inaugural Avery Stiles Memorial track meet. Without a rubberized track, the school has been able to host events like this. Jefferson High School will also be home to a small schools meet on Apr. 21, the JHS Invitational Apr. 24 and the District 5B track meet on May 15.
The JHS golf squad opens its season Mar. 31 at the Florence Invite in Hamilton, with the boys looking to defend their Class B state crown. In the meantime, lacking a golf course of their own for practices, the Panthers will start by hitting balls into tractor tires on the football practice field, or by putting in the school hallways.
And the Panther tennis team will see its first action Apr. 2 at the Fort Benton meet in Great Falls, followed by events at Missoula Loyola on Apr. 9 and Manhattan Apr. 10.
A packed spring! Hopefully, the snows clear in time. As for those state basketball tourneys: Baker surprised absolutely no one by taking the Class B girls crown, defeating Malta, 64-51 to cap an undefeated season. In the boys’ Class B bracket, Lodge Grass bested Harlem, 69-48, to win the championship.
