Powerful Arlee boys roll past Horsemen

PLAINS - So, how good are the Arlee Warriors?

The Arlee Warriors are so good, they can take a showdown game with another undefeated opponent and turn it into a blowout right from the opening tap.

Ask the previously undefeated Plains Horsemen, who lost to the Warriors in just such a showdown contest in Plains Thursday.

Coach Zanen Pitts still unbeaten Warriors, the defending State C boys basketball champions, knocked the Horsemen down 83-39 in a key early season District 14C matchup. And as bad as that score may look, it is one of the closest games that Arlee has played in so far this season.

For proof, consider the Warriors’ other two most recent 14C contests, a 95-19 win over Hot Springs Dec. 16, and an 88-10 win over St. Regis Dec. 19.

The Warriors relied on a smothering half court defense to waylay Plains Thursday, creating numerous turnovers and scoring opportunities with that pressure D. When forced into offensive sets, Arlee’s deadeye shooters made the Horsemen pay

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dearly from the 3-point line.

All-State C players Phillip Malatare and Will Mesteth did the most damage for Arlee, scoring 25 and 23 points each, respectively. An underrated, but star player in his own right, Greg Whitesell scored 18 more points, and Lane Johnson added eight.

Jay VonHeeder delivered 12 points to lead Plains when the Horsemen could get through Arlee’s super-sticky defense and get him the ball down low, Tanner Ovitt added eight, Derick Curry seven, Kyle Weeks six, Wyatt Weyers four and Sinjin LaDeaux two.

In other action last week, coach Mike Cole and his Horsemen scored a 59-54 win over Sanders County rival Thompson Falls in a non-conference game at Plains last Tuesday, Dec. 19, but details of that game were not available.

The Horsemen are now idle until returning to action Jan. 4, hosting St. Regis.