Knights Survive First Quarter Scare To Hold Off Bengals

In a match up that meant a trip to the Class AA boys western divisional championship game the Hellgate Knights would survive a big first quarter by the Helena Bengals and Hellgate would come away with a 49-44 victory over the Bengals.

Helena came out hot looking to knock off the Knights by out shooting Hellgate 16-5 in the opening quarter. It was the three point shot that kept the Bengals on top in the first quarter coming from the sharp shooting hands of Pierce Brown. Seemingly unaffected by the Bengals run in the first quarter Hellagte began to climb back into the game, going on a run starting mid way through the second quarter. Battling on every possession the Knights would out score Helena 21-10 in the second frame, culminating with a Rollie Worster three pointer to tie the game as the buzzer sounded to signify the break.

Tied at 26 the two teams opened up the second half of the game by matching each others shots in the first few minutes of the third quarter to keep the game close. Things became physical late in the third as tensions began to rise, spilling over into the fourth quarter where the two teams would meet at the free throw line. In the opening third of fourth quarter Hellgate began to take hold of the lead by controlling the board on the defensive side of the court, limiting the Bengals second chance points. Hellgate would secure their win over Helena in the closing minutes of the game with quality defense and smooth ball movement on their offensive possessions.

Hellgate moves on to the western divisional championship game for the second straight year, securing a trip to the Class AA state tournament.