The Columbia Falls girls were voted as the top team in Class A in the first Montana Associated Press prep basketball poll, released on Wednesday. 

The Wildkats (7-0) have had a torrid start to the season, with wins over No. 3 Hamilton and Frenchtown, the top team receiving votes, and Class AA Flathead so far. Columbia Falls picked up six of eight first-place votes, leading Billings Central, which picked up the other two, for the top spot. Hamilton, Dillon and  Laurel rounded out the top five.

The Bigfork boys (8-0) also found themselves near the top of the rankings, picking up five of eight first-place votes but falling one point shy of Glasgow for the top spot in Class B. The Vikings have been dominant to start the season, with wins over Class A Columbia Falls and Whitefish and a 3-0 start in conference. 

Undefeated Lodge Grass came in third place and defending state champion Malta is in fourth. Forsyth rounds out the top five with Boulder, Townsend, Columbus, Florence and Loyola also ranked in the top 10. 

The Glacier boys and girls each received votes in Class AA, though neither was able to crack the top five. 

Nine of the 14 Class AA boys teams received votes in the initial poll after a tumultuous first few weeks of the season. Helena Capital came in at the top spot, with Bozeman and Billings West also receiving first-place votes, voted in behind them. Missoula Sentinel is ranked fourth and Billings Senior fifth.

Defending champion Missoula Sentinel leads the girls Class AA poll, followed by undefeated Helena Capital. Great Falls High, Billings West and Bozeman are also ranked.

Dillon leads the Class A boys poll, followed by Butte Central and Glendive, which also had first-place votes. Laurel and Browning rounded out the top five, with Columbia Falls and Frenchtown each receiving votes.

Box Elder and Denton-Geyser-Stanford are tied for first in the Class C boys poll. Defending champion Belt leads the Class C girls.

AP Boys Prep Basketball Poll

Jan. 15

Class AA 

RecordPtsPrv

1. Helena Capital (4)7-183-

2. Bozeman (3)5-178-

3. Billings West (2)6-277-

4. Missoula Sentinel5-231-

5. Billings Senior4-329-

Others receiving votes: Great Falls 28. Billings Skyview 14. Missoula Hellgate 12. Glacier 8. 

Class A 

RecordPtsPrv

1. Dillon (4)7-072-

2. Butte Central (2)7-169-

3. Glendive (2)6-056-

4. Laurel6-244-

5. Browning5-128-

Others receiving votes: Billings Central 18. Sidney 12. Stevensville 9. Columbia Falls 6. Frenchtown 6. 

Class B 

RecordPtsPrv

1. Glasgow (1)8-070-

2. Bigfork (5)8-069-

3. Lodge Grass (1)8-063-

4. Malta (1)7-160-

5. Forsyth7-140-

6. Jefferson (Boulder)7-130-

7. Townsend6-222-

8. Columbus6-219-

9. Florence5-217-

10. Missoula Loyola6-213-

Others receiving votes: Huntley Project 9. Choteau 8. Fairfield 7. Joliet 5. Whitehall 5. Big Timber 3. 

Class C 

RecordPtsPrv

1. Box Elder (3)7-053-

1. Denton-Geyser-Stanford8-053-

3. Superior8-051-

4. Fairview (2)8-043-

5. Highwood (1)7-132-

6. Circle (1)7-131-

7. Wibaux5-124-

8. Power8-022-

9. Broadus6-116-

10. Westby-Grenora7-214-

Others receiving votes: Plenty Coups 13. Custer 8. Ennis 8. Melstone 5. Victor 4. Hinsdale 4. Arlee 2. Centerville 1. Broadview-Lavina 1.

Girls

Class AA 

RecordPtsPrv

1. Missoula Sentinel (8)8-089-

2. Helena Capital (1)8-081-

3. Great Falls7-170-

4. Billings West5-249-

5. Bozeman3-331-

Others receiving votes: Billings Senior 28. Glacier 12. 

Class A 

RecordPtsPrv

1. Columbia Falls (6)7-077-

2. Billings Central (2)7-172-

3. Hamilton6-155-

4. Dillon6-139-

5. Laurel6-230-

Others receiving votes: Frenchtown 28. Havre 13. Sidney 6. 

Class B 

RecordPtsPrv

1. Fairfield (7)8-077-

2. Deer Lodge (1)8-066-

3. Malta8-065-

4. Forsyth8-058-

5. Colstrip7-127-

6. Choteau6-126-

7. Plains7-124-

8. Wolf Point6-222-

9. Missoula Loyola6-219-

10. Manhattan6-217-

Others receiving votes: Bigfork 16. Shepherd 11. Florence 11. Baker 1. 

Class C 

RecordPtsPrv

1. Belt (5)7-152-

2. Saco-Whitewater (1)9-046-

3. Harlowton-Ryegate8-043-

4. Harrison-Willow Creek8-042-

5. Fairview (1)8-039-

6. Seeley-Swan8-033-

7. Chester-Joplin-Inverness8-030-

8. Charlo8-025-

9. Chinook7-024-

10. Circle7-111-

Others receiving votes: Grass Range/Winnett 10. Hinsdale 8. Centerville 8. Gardiner 5. Darby 4. Drummond 4. Twin Bridges 1.