State AA boys: West wins triple overtime thriller, to meet Sentinel for title

BILLINGS — The Class AA boys basketball tournament delivered instant-classic drama on Friday night as West outlasted its opponent in a triple-overtime thriller, punching a ticket to the state championship game against Sentinel.

Earlier in the day at First Interstate Arena at MetraPark, Billings Senior kept its season alive behind a 22-point performance from Chase Bad Bear, edging Great Falls CMR 56-55 in a loser-out contest. The narrow victory eliminated the Rustlers and set up a celebration for Broncs teammates Rylan Jennings, Brody Allen and Kyler Ronish, who mobbed each other on the court as the final horn sounded.

The win propelled Senior into the next round of consolation play, but the nightcap belonged to West, whose triple-OT triumph capped a marathon session and secured a title-game showdown with Sentinel.

Helena’s cheerleaders and band provided the pre-game pageantry, presenting the colors and performing the national anthem before the action tipped off.