The Eureka Lions got a well-deserved hero's welcome home Monday night after beating Seeley-Swan 56-50 in a Western B Divisional girls basketball challenge game at Polson.

"Electric atmosphere," said Eureka coach John Hammond.

"Couple of fire trucks and an ambulance (were waiting for us). Sirens and horns blaring, lights flashing. It was a neat experience."

The bus ride home was also a joyous event as not only did the victory lift Eureka to 21-3 on the season, but it also earned the Lions their first trip to the state tournament since 1989.

"Everyone's in such a good mood," said Hammond.

"It is something special when you get to go to a state tournament."

Eureka will surely stay on that emotional high as state play starts today in Belgrade. The Lions open with Baker (23-0) at 2:30 p.m.

"We're going into the tournament on a high rather than a loss (divisional final on Saturday)," said Hammond of playing that challenge game, which was their fourth divisional game in five days.

"I asked the girls in a shootaround Tuesday how they felt. They said their legs were good, arms a little sore from leaning on people. That's part of the game."

Hammond said Baker has a couple of 6-foot players inside and two talented 5-4 guards.

Does he have any special plans for state?

"Pretty much stick with what we've done all year," he said.

"We kind of went into everything knowing if we showed up ready to play and played with no regets, however the chips may fall, most of the time when we played like that, we've been pleased with the outcome of the game."

Eureka's starting five will remain the same: Jessica Marek, 5-10 senior; Amy Roberts, 5-11 junior; Krista Kakuk, 5-8 senior; Sarah Flanary, 6-1 senior; and Chelsea Workman, 5-7 senior.

Workman scored 15 points against Seeley-Swan on Monday and helped save the win with deadly free throw shooting down the stretch.

Roberts led the Lions in scoring in that contest with 18 points before fouling out.

Class B

At Belgrade

Today

1 p.m. - Conrad vs. Big Timber (17-6)

2:30 p.m. - Baker (23-0) vs. Eureka (21-3)

7 p.m. - Missoula Loyola (23-0) vs. Shepherd

8:30 p.m. - Three Forks (21-2) vs. Malta