Bobcats win first Western C game since 2015
JOHN HAMILTON | Hagadone News Network | UPDATED 2 months, 2 weeks AGO
SUPERIOR SENIOR Logan Merrill makes a scoring move in District 14C tournament action in Polson Feb. 20. Bobcats completed season play last week in the Western C tourney in Butte. (John Hamilton/vp-mi)
Winning a game at the Western C divisional tournament for the first time since 2015, coach Jake McElroy and his Superior Bobcats completed season action at the Western C tourney in Butte last week.
Opening the tournament with a 57-45 win over the Gardiner Bruins Wednesday, the Bobcats then fell to 58-35 Thursday to land a fourth game this season with District 14C rival Two Eagle River.
The Eagles built a big lead in that game before holding on for a wild 79-74 win over the Bobcats Friday to end Superior’s season.
“I’m proud of this team,” McElroy said. “We didn’t win district like we hoped but we did make it to the divisional tournament and were able to win a game there.
“It was a great experience for us, huge for the program,” he added. "We will miss our seniors next year but understand what it takes at this level now, and that should only help us moving forward.”
Seniors Phin Cataldo, Logan Merrill and Brydon Drey completed their Bobcat hoop careers in Butte.
The win over Gardiner turned out to be the Bobcats’ finest hour in the 2026 Western C, and their first win in a Western C tournament since 2015.
Leading only 39-37 heading into the fourth quarter the Bobcats won the final eight minutes 18-8 to register the 57-45 win.
Merrill led Superior with 19 points against Gardiner, Gannon Quinlan added 17, Landon Richards 12, Cataldo seven and Amarie Johnson two.
Franklin Lewis the Bruins with 19 points and Braden Tuning added 12.
Facing the Lincoln Lynx Thursday, the Bobcats fell behind early and could never quite get back in the game.
Richards scored 12 points to lead Superior in that contest, Johnson, Merrill and Quinlan added seven apiece and Conrad Talbot two.
Kayden Riddle scored 15 points for Lincoln, Dylan Jakushak and Austen Selber added 13 each and Roegan Dietz 12.
The Bobcats completed season play facing off with Two Eagle River for the fourth time this winter, and the Eagles prevailed 79-74 this time, although the Superior boys put a pretty good run on in the game’s late stages.
“I was happy with how we kept battling in the Two Eagle game,” McElroy said. “We fell way behind but kept fighting and ended up almost catching up in the end.”
Quinlan bucketed 18 points to lead the Bobcats against Two Eagle, Cataldo added 17, Richards 16, Johnson nine, Merrill eight and Henry Hanson six.
Hot-shooting Ryiley Gates led Two Eagle River with 29 points, Jayvian Burke scored 19 and Talon Addison 12.
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