Poplar Falls To Missoula Loyola In Semi-final Round

Poplar’s boys’ basketball team battled but lost to defending state champion Missoula Loyola, 63-42, in the semi-final round of the Class B state tournament on Friday, March 8.

The Indians trailed by only an 11-10 margin at the end of the opening quarter. With the score at 21-17 midway into the second period, Loyola tallied eight points in less than a minute for a 29-17 advantage.

Poplar’s Delray Lilley connected for a three-pointer, but an inside shot by Reynolds Johnston put the Rams up 31-20 at the half.

Loyola led 39-25 until three-pointers by Geordy Medicine Cloud and Lilley pulled the Indians to 39-31. The Rams responded with the next seven points including a three-pointer by Noah Haffey for a 46-38 advantage.

Loyola held a 48-37 lead at the end of the third quarter and opened the fourth period with seven straight points including two baskets by Johnston to gain a 55-37 advantage with 5:20 remaining.

Top scorers for the Indians were Medicine Cloud with 18 and Lilley with 12 points. Rounding out the scoring were Walker Burshia with seven, Kaniel Ricker with three and Quinn Sutherland with two points.

Leading Loyola were Johnston with 28, Haffey with 15 and Ethan Stack with 10 points.

Missoula Loyola went on to defeat Fairview in the Class B state championship game.