Prospectors down Trojans, head to District ‘chipper

PHILIPSBURG – Ever since the Granite Boys Basketball seniors were eighth graders, they’ve made it to the semifinals of their district tournaments. In the previous four years they could never quite make it to the final.

They vowed 2021 would be different.

And it was.

With a 49-38 win over the Drummond Trojans in the District 13 semifinals Thursday, the Prospectors pitched the playoff monkey of their backs and now head to the finals Saturday against Valley Christian. That game will take place in Missoula at 6 p.m.

“Like always these kids show up,” said GHS Head Coach Dustin Keltner, “They play lights out on defense and they did an exceptional job tonight with that. They (Granite) deserved to win that game. We were the better basketball team and we overcame a sluggish offensive night. Good teams always flex their muscle and our kids did that and just enough offensively to get over the hump.”

Granite opened the game in a triangle and two, attempting the limit the scoring opportunities for the Trojans’ Caleb Parke and Colt Parsons. The tactic worked as the Drummond duo was held scoreless while the Prospectors jumped out to an 11-5 lead. Granite extended that lead to 24-15 at halftime, with Parsons getting two points and Parke remaining scoreless.

The Trojans rallied to close the gap on several occasions, but could never quite get over the hump.

“We were very rattled from the start, and just got mentally taken out of the game,” observed DHS Head Coach Levi Parsons after the game. “I am just very pleased with the kids this year. They have really come a long ways from last year’s team, and will do the same next year. Always respectful on and off the court and that's a lot to be proud of. Tonight just was not our night.”

Andrew Tallon led all scorers in the game with 13 points for Granite, while Brandon Ward added 10 and Mason Palen 11.

Drummond was led by Cooper Bradshaw and Parsons with eight points each.

Drummond will get a chance to grab the Consolation championship Saturday when they host Darby at 1 p.m. The Tigers lost to Valley Christian 71-52.