Boys state wrap-up

What a weekend.
I ended up driving to Butte for the Polson boys championship game. It wasn’t a bad drive, the weather was nice, but once I entered Butte I could tell something exciting was happening. I stopped for some food and the restaurant was filled with purple. Granted, it was Laurel fans, but still.
Entering the Civic Center was the same way. I got there early, halfway through the third-place game, and already the stands were packed with fans for the championship game. Once that game cleared out and the warm-ups started, the place was loud. Between the bands and the student sections, it was impossible to hear someone ask you a question standing right next to you.

Polson sophomore Tyler Krell works down low against Laurel.

Polson stayed in the game until the very end. The refs didn’t do the greatest job I’ve ever seen calling fouls. I don’t like blaming the outcome of a game on the refs and who’s to say the outcome would have changed, but c’mon.
On the drive back. I passed many cars with a 15 a the beginning of its license plate, heading back home after the game.
I was able to grab three Pirates after school yesterday and ask them about the tournament, so their tidbits will be in this week’s paper.
I have only been to one other state championship game. That was six years ago when my schools boys hockey team made the title game. The Xcel Energy Center, home of the NHL’s Minnesota Wild, was to capacity, and probably beyond. That event is one of the biggest high school sporting events in the nation. It was so sweet and to be there as a student makes things better.

The Xcel Energy Center: home of the Minnesota boys state hockey tournament

Arlee made waves at the Class C tournament, taking fourth. The whole town pretty much shut down to send them on their way and welcome them back on Sunday. I was able to sit down with three of the players yesterday to talk about the tournament and their season. That will be in this week’s paper, but all three were grateful for such an outpouring from the community. As I made my way to the interview, signs and balloons were still hung up.

This weekend will feature another state tournament: the Class A girls basketball tournament. Polson will make its way to Hamilton this week in hopes of coming back with a trophy. The Pirates face Sidney in the first round and will be without Sierra Pete, who suffered an injury during the divisional tournament. I will be traveling down there, so hopefully I will be able to post updates as the tournament progresses. Pete, Nicole Davey and Breanne Kelley sat down with me after a practice to talk about the season and some other random things. That will be in this week’s paper as well.

As the papers are starting to get bigger, I am able to include more stories and at a greater length. If you have any suggestions or ideas, please feel free to send an e-mail to sports @leaderadvertiser.com.