The Mission basketball teams and the Arlee basketball teams are fighting for a trip to the Class B state tournament this week. The Mission boys and girls are both coming off their final regular-season games of the year, while the Arlee boys and girls just wrapped up the 6B district tournament. 

Here’s how those teams fared last week, with divisionals starting today.

Deer Lodge Boys 47, Arlee Boys 44

Arlee started its 6B campaign with a close one on Feb. 26 against Deer Lodge.

It was a challenging fight against the Wardens, a team the Warriors had previously beaten.

The Warriors were not able to make this win happen as the Wardens had figured out a way to get past Arlee. Despite playing a close contest, Arlee dropped their first game in the tournament 47-44.

Arlee Boys 59, Florence Boys 56

Arlee had a chance to rebound on the loser’s side of the bracket on Feb. 28 against Florence.

It wasn’t an easy matchup and looked to be especially tough after losing to a team they had beaten earlier in the year.

However, the Warriors were not going to let a chance at divisional qualification slip away. It was another close one but Arlee held the slim lead.

The Warriors took the 59-50 win, setting up a rematch for third place.

Arlee Boys 78, Deer Lodge 56

Arlee got another shot at beating Deer Lodge on Feb. 28 and this time they delivered.

Deer Lodge was no match for the Warriors as they rocked throughout this one.

Arlee’s strong offense had struggled at times this season but trusting the shots that came to them ended up paying off. The Wardens struggled to keep up as Arlee took the 78-56 win.

That win not only helped Arlee earn third place in the 6B district but it also helped clinch the third seed in 6B for the Western B Divisional Tournament starting on March 7 in Pablo.

Deer Lodge Girls 56, Arlee Girls 47

The Scarlets struggled on Feb. 26 as they dropped their first game of the district tournament to Deer Lodge.

The Lady Wardens were not going to lose to the Scarlets again, finding a way around the Arlee defense to keep scoring up.

It wasn’t a high-scoring affair but it was enough for Deer Lodge to keep Arlee at bay. The Lady Wardens won 56-47 to send Arlee to the loser’s side of the bracket.

Anaconda Girls 54, Arlee Girls 42

Arlee dropped their final game of the season on Feb. 28 against Anaconda.

It was a tough matchup with the Scarlets struggling against the Lady Copperheads all year.

Anaconda took control of this game early, with the Scarlets finding it hard to earn easy buckets throughout the game. 

The Lady Copperheads earned the win 54-42, ending the Scarlets’ season.

Arlee graduates Jaydessa Haynes and ShyAnne Manzanares.

Mission Girls 69, Eureka Girls 36

The Mission girls stayed on top on Feb. 27 as they took down Eureka on the road.

Mission had dominated their first matchup with Eureka and they did that once again in their final regular-season game of the year.

The girls wouldn’t be denied a win to close out the regular season by leading 35-12 in the first half over the Lady Lions.

Eureka had a strong 16-point third quarter but the Lady Bulldogs were unstoppable.

Cora Matt had a double-double with 19 points and 13 rebounds to lead the way.

Eureka Boys 66, Mission Boys 62

In a tough end to the regular season, Mission dropped their second game against Eureka on Feb. 27.

Eureka had taken down the Bulldogs in their most recent game, while in St. Ignatius, making this a bit of a grudge match with the Western B Divisional Tournament just around the corner.

The Bulldogs led early 19-13 with some exciting offense that had been lacking in the past couple of weeks. Both teams had a strong scoring second quarter. The Bulldogs led 38-34 going into the second half.

The Lions finally took the lead by outscoring the Bulldogs 18-11 in the third quarter. Mission tried to fight back but the loss of their lead was too much. The Lions won 66-62.

Mission will qualify for the Western B Divisional Tournament.

    Mission senior Lex LaFrombois drives to the basketball hoop on Feb. 27 in Eureka. (Christa Umphrey Photo)