In a win-or-go-home matchup, the Arlee Warriors gave everything they had. Still, they fell just short in a 49-44 loss to the Anaconda Copperheads, bringing their season to a close in the Western B Divisional Tournament on Saturday, March 1.

The game was a back-and-forth battle from the opening tip, with both teams playing aggressive, physical basketball. The Warriors kept up their intensity in the second, carrying a slim 27-22 lead into halftime.

Anaconda adjusted in the second half, leaning on Brody Galle’s 15 points. The Copperheads outscored Arlee 14-15 in the third quarter, cutting the Warriors’ lead to one heading into the final period.

In the fourth, Anaconda took control with a suffocating defensive effort, holding Arlee to just two points.

Damian Marceau led Arlee with 12 points, while Swab added 10. Darius Tewawina and Josh Horn each had seven in a valiant effort, but it wasn’t enough to extend their tournament run.

Despite the heartbreaking loss, Arlee’s season was marked by resilience and strong team play. The Warriors finished with a 16-8 record.

Arlee falls to top-seeded Loyola

 Arlee faced a formidable challenge in their Western B second-round matchup against the top-seeded Loyola Rams and struggled to keep pace, falling 75-35 on Thursday, Feb. 27.

Loyola’s defensive intensity overwhelmed the Warriors from the start as Arlee trailed 16-9 after the first quarter but ran into major trouble in the second. The Rams unleashed a dominant 29-point period to take a commanding 45-17 lead at halftime.

The Warriors were blocked offensively in the third quarter, managing just three points as Loyola continued to impose its will. The Rams' balanced attack featured standout performances from Rey Johnston (22 points) and Ethan Stack (19 points), who proved too much for Arlee’s defense to contain.

Josh Horn led the Warriors with 11 points, while Damian Marceau and Aiden Swab contributed six and five, respectively.

Arlee opens divisional play with win over Troy

The Arlee Warriors started the Western B Divisional Tournament strong with a 66-54 victory over the Troy Trojans on Thursday, Feb. 27 at Hamilton High School.

Arlee came out aggressively in the opening quarter, using a balanced attack to jump out to an 18-11 lead. In the second quarter, the Warriors' defense tightened, limiting Troy to seven points and extending the lead to 30-18 at halftime.

Troy responded in the third quarter. The Trojans found their rhythm offensively, cutting into Arlee’s lead with a 19-point quarter. However, the Warriors countered and maintained a 45-37 advantage heading into the final frame.

In the fourth, Arlee put the game away with a dominant 21-point effort. Josh Horn led the charge with a game-high 16 points, while Aiden Swab added 14. Darius Tewawina and Damian Marceau each chipped in nine as the Warriors' depth proved too much for Troy to handle.

At Hamilton

ARLEE 66, TROY 54

Troy - 11 - 7 - 19 - 17 - 54

Arlee - 18 - 12 - 15 - 21 - 66

ARLEE SCORING: Josh Horn 16, Aiden Swab 14, Darius Tewawina 9, Damian Marceau 9, Kaiden Ostby 6, Marice SpottedEagle 5, River Gray 4, Kade Dix 3.

LOYOLA 75, ARLEE 35

Arlee - 9 - 8 - 3 - 15 - 35

Loyola - 16 - 29 - 19 - 11 -75

ARLEE SCORING: Josh Horn 11, Damian Marceau 6, Darius Tewawina 5, Aiden Swab 5, River Gray 4, Elliot Fiddler 3, Chase Courville 1.

ANACONDA 49, ARLEE 44

Arlee - 13 - 14 - 15 - 2 - 44

Anaconda - 15 - 7 - 14 - 13 - 49

ARLEE SCORING: Damian Marceau 12, Aiden Swab 10, Darius Tewawina 7, Josh Horn 7, Kaiden Ostby 4, River Gray 2, Gavyn Swaney 2.