SUPERIOR – The Superior Bobcats were headed into the next stage of the season last week after a solid performance at the district tournament in Pablo.

The team from Superior lost a close one against Arlee that came down to a buzzer-beater but they fared well enough to advance and keep the season going. Head coach Chris Toivonen said he was impressed with how well the team performed against stiff competition. The team was able to defeat cross-county rival St. Regis earlier in the competition.

“They did really well,” Toivonen said. “The guys played really well in the St. Regis game. They played well as a team. We next played Hot Springs and they are very good.”

Toivonen said, after leading the game most of the way, the Bobcats gave up the lead but managed to hold out winning 54 to 50. He said that victory was what propelled the team into the divisionals. Toivonen said the Superior Bobcats even held their own against one of the best teams in the division in Arlee.

“I’m really proud of our guys,” Toivonen said. “They’ve really improved an unbelievable amount during the season in particular in the last month. I was really proud to have them finish in second.”

The divisional tournament starts Feb. 25 in Butte where the Bobcats will likely face some of the same stiff competition. Toivonen said the first team the Bobcats face will be Valley Christian.

“They’re also a really good team,” Toivonen said. ‘But, we’re excited to get after it. We’re set to get to work to do the best we can to compete. We know they’re a really good team but, so are we.”