Red Hawks Win Eastern C Championship
The Froid/Lake Red Hawks were in the right frame of mind heading into the Eastern C divisional boys’ basketball championship game against Fairview on Friday, March 4.
“The coaches told us to be relaxed and we were,” senior Javonne Nesbit said.
Nesbit scored 29 points as the Red Hawks downed Fairview, 76-46, for the title game held in Sidney.
“It’s the first time in 15 years so it’s pretty neat,” senior Brett Stentoft said. “It’s great for the community that we’re going to State.”
Stentoft, who did a solid job defending Fairview’s standout Hunter Sharbono, said the Red Hawks had confidence in the match-up after beating Fairview during the regular season and also in the District 2C title contest.
“It’s cool to be divisional champions and the second year going to State,” he said.
Nesbit added, “It’s because of hard work and staying in the gym after practice.”
Hoops by Stentoft, Mason Dethman and Bode Miller got the Red Hawks off to a 10-3 start.
After two free throws by Fairview’s Hunter Sharbono, Nesbit accounted for five straight points and a 15-5 advantage. Froid/Lake led 15-8 at the half.
The Red Hawks then ran off the first 11 points of the second period on a drive by Tyler Wivholm, a steal and drive by Nesbit, a steal and layup by Patton Bighorn, a three-pointer by Bighorn and a steal and dunk by Nesbit.
The Warriors bounced back with the next eight points on four points by Kanyon Taylor, a basket by Jeff Tjelde and a fast-break hoop by Jace Vitt.
Three-pointers by Dethman and Nesbit increased the margin to 34-20 heading into the final minute of the half. The Red Hawks led by a 36-22 half-time margin as Nesbit scored 14 in the first 16 minutes.
After a three-pointer by Tjelde cut the gap to 42-29 midway into the third quarter, the Red Hawks erupted with the next nine points including six by Nesbit.
The Red Hawks led 51-32 at the end of the third quarter and then scored eight of the first 10 points of the fourth period on four points each by Nesbit and Connor Huft.
Reaching double figures for the Red Hawks were Nesbit with 29 and Bighorn with 10 points.
Also scoring were Dethman with nine, Wivholm with seven, Stentoft with six, Huft with six, Bode Miller with four, Nate Stentoft with four and Max Engelke with one point.
Nesbit finished with eight rebounds, five assists and five steals.
Leading Fairview were Taylor with 14 and Tjelde with 11.
The Red Hawks will face West Yellowstone in the first round of the state tournament at 7:30 p.m. on Wednesday, March 9, in Great Falls. Fairview opens against Manhattan Christian at 3 p.m. on Wednesday.
