The Lions traveled to Bozeman for the Montana State Boys Basketball Tournament on Wednesday, March 9th. This was the first time the Lions have been to the state tournament since 1995 (27 years).
An interesting fact about the 1995 team was that RJ McDole was a player on the 1995 team. RJ McDole is an assistant coach this year. Keenan McDole, RJ’s son, made the final 12 for the Lions this year in 2022.
Andy Blake was also on that 1995 team. He was a volunteer assistant coach for this 2022 squad.
Other players on the 1995 team include Nathan Purdy, Adam Kincheloe, Benjy Chaney, David Yakos, Casey Stoken, Neil Longgood, Nathan Steele, Travis Osler, Ryan Purdy, and Lucas Casazza (father of Braden Casazza, a member of the 2022 squad).
The head coach of the 1995 team was Joe Purdy assisted by David Loy and Larry Benson. Loy still teaches math and Benson drives a school bus, and teaches shop classes at LCHS.
Eureka’s first opponent on Thursday was the Harlem Wildcats who were the second seed from the Northern Division.
At the end of the first quarter the Wildcats were up 20-12 but the Lions battled back to tie 26-26 at halftime.
The Wildcats exploded again in the third quarter, outscoring the Lions 17-10 to lead 43-36 at the end of third.
The Lions yet again prevailed in the even numbered fourth quarter, winning 17-10, and brought a 53-53 tie to force overtime.
Harlem eventually won 63-61 on a buzzer-beater, sending the Lions to the loser’s bracket to face the Shelby Coyotes. Harlem proceeded to play Lodge Grass for a State B semifinal matchup (Harlem would win that game to move to the championship. Three Forks would beat Harlem for the State B Title on Saturday night).
Gavin Bates led the Lions in scoring (29) and rebounds (11) rebounds in the game.
On Friday, the Lions played the Shelby Coyotes with the winner of the game staying while the loser would end their season.
The Coyotes were up 18-11 at the end of the first quarter.
The Lions came back for the halftime score to be 24-23 Lions.
At the end of the third, Shelby was up 39-33.
Eureka couldn't stage another comeback. A 57-41 marked the end of the successful Lion season.
The Lions battled in the first half being down by only one going into the 3rd quarter. We tied it up early, and then lost the lead late in the third, before Shelby cruised to a victory.
A tough loss this was for everyone, the players hoped for a chance to play in the state championship after narrowly losing to the number 2 team in the state.
This very successful season for the Lions brought basketball back into the limelight for future players.
Gavin Bates, Joey Kindel, and Danny Dunn all earned All-Conference, while Gavin Bates was awarded All-State honors.