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Maroons split in Dillon
DILLON — Butte Central’s boys’ basketball team pulled out a tough win over Dillon Thursday night at the B.W. Lodge Gym.
The Maroons grabbed a 50-44 win over the Beavers in the nightcap of a doubleheader. Dillon’s girls beat Central 65-35 in the opener.
BC’s teams will take on Corvallis Saturday. The boys will hit the road, while the girls will play at home.
BOYS
Butte Central 50, Dillon 44
BC overcame a 10-point halftime deficit to knock off the Beavers 50-44.The win ran the Maroons’ record to 9-1 overall and 4-0 in conference play. Central is undefeated against Class A competition.
Dillon fell to 5-5 and 1-1. Statistics for this game are not available.
GIRLS
Dillon 65, Butte Central 35The Beavers dialed in from down town to take down the Maroons.
Cassie Keller sank six 3-pointers, and Landri Martin added five to lead the way for the Bevers. Both scored 23 points in the victory that ran Dillon’s winning streak to six.
Shannon Martin added two long balls and scored 10 points for Dillon, which got four points from Kenna Sampson, two apiece from Baylor Malesich and Brynna Gibson, and one from Kaitlyn Konen.
Rylee Forbes scored 15 points, and Zayonna Otherbull tallied 12 to lead the Maroons. Kenzie McQueary, Braelynn Schelin, Luci Fantini and Arika Stajcar each scored two. Jordyn Samson, Evyn Smith, Marly Mansanti and Jaedyn Maldonado also contributed for the Maroons.
BUTTE CENTRAL (3-7, 1-3) — Jordyn Samson 0 0-0 0, Zayonna Otherbull 4 3-4 12, Rylee Forbes 6 3-3 15, Braelynn Schelin 1 0-0 2, Arika Stajcar 1 0-0 2, Evyn Smith 0 0-0 0, Marly Mansanti 0 0-0 0, Kenzie McQueary 0 2-2 2, Jaedyn Maldonado 0 0-0 0, Luci Fantini 1 0-0 2. Totals 8-9 35.
DILLON (9-1, 2-0) — Cassie Keller 8 1-4 23, Shannon Martin 4 0-0 10, Landri Hartman 9 0-0 23, Kena Sampson 2 0-0 4, Kaitlyn Konen 0 1-2 1, Brynna Gibson 1 0-0 2, Kenndyl Meine 0 0-0 0, Baylor Malesich 1 0-0 2. Totals 25 2-6 65.
Central 8 8 8 11 — 35
Dillon 14 16 22 13 — 65
3-point goals — BC 1 (Otherbull), Dillon 13 (Keller 6, Hartman 5, Martin 2). Fouls — BC 7, Dillon 24. Fouled out — none. Technicals — none. -
Knights take two from Bulldogs
Missoula Hellgate took a pair of Western AA games from Butte High Thursday night.
The Knights topped the Butte High girls 58-47 in Missoula, while the Hellgate boys beat the Bulldogs 50-38 at the Richardson Gym.
The games are the only action of the week for the Bulldogs, who take on Missoula Big Sky on Tuesday. The girls will be at home, and the boys will be on the road.
GIRLS
Missoula Hellgate 58, Butte High 47
MISSOULA — One quarter sunk the Bulldogs.Hellgate outscored Butte High 18-3 in the second quarter, and the Knights did not look back in the victory that rolled their record to 7-2 on the season and 4-1 in Western AA play.
Gianna Passuccio led three Hellgate players in double figures with 17 points. Texas Gilman came off the bench to score 12, and Elly Reed tossed in 11.
Cadence Graham’s 22 points led the Bulldogs, who saw their four-game winning streak end. Ellie Graham and Allie Becker each scored seven points, while Franki Salusso and Autumn Clary each scored four. Saege Grey knocked in three points.
Emma Johnson and Kendallyn Schad also contributed for the Bulldogs, who fell to 6-4 and 4-1.
BUTTE HIGH (6-4, 4-1) — Allie Becker 2 2-2 7, Cadence Graham 7 6-8 22, Autumn Clary 2 0-0 4, Franki Salusso 1 2-2 4, Emma Johnson 0 0-0 0, Elli Graham 3 0-0 7, Saege Grey 1 0-0 3, Kendallyn Schad 0 0-0 0. Totals 16 10-12 47.
MISSOULA HELLGATE (7-2, 4-1) — Paisley Johnson 3 1-1 7, Elly Reed 3 5-5 11, Ryan Meservy 3 1-1. 9, Lucy Hutchins 1 0-0 2, Gianna Passuccio 6 4-5 17, Texas Gilman 5 1-2 12. Totals 22 12-14 58.
Butte 13 3 13 18 — 47
Hellgate 10 18 8 22 — 58
3-point goals — Butte 5 (C. Graham 2, Becker, E. Graham, Grey), Hellgate 4 (Meservy 2, Gilman, Passuccio). Fouls — Butte 14, Hellgate 12. Fouled out — none. Technicals — none.
BOYS
Missoula Hellgate 50, Butte High 38
Hellgate’s defense stymied the Bulldogs, who dropped their second game of the season.Zane Gillhouse and Spencer Wayland combined for 31 points to lead the Knights, who improved to 7-2 overall and 4-1 in league play. Gillhouse scored 13 of his game-high 17 points in the first half, while Wayland tossed in 14. The Knights also got nine points from Parker Link, four from JT Klimkiewicz and three apiece from Liam Dick and Vince Paffhausen.
Cayde Stajcar scored 13 points, and Rhett Arntson came off the bench to drain three 3-pointers and score 11 points for the Bulldogs. Hudson Luedtke tossed in seven, Brady Hanson scored four, and Mitch Verlanic netted three.
Brady Walsh, James Pearson and Kendel Noctor also contributed for the Bulldogs.
MISSOULA HELLGATE (7-2, 4-1) — Liam Dick 0 3-4 3, Sam Cohea 0 0-0 0, ane Gillhouse 8 0-0 17, Spencer Wayland 6 0-0 14, Evan Pyron 1 2-2 4, Vince Paffhause 1 1-2 3, Parker Link 2 4-7 9, Will Petrino 0 0-0 0, JT Klimkiewicz 0 0-0 0. Totals 18 10-15 50.
BUTTE (8-2, 3-2) — Cayde Stajcar 6 1-4 13, Hudson Luedtke 4 0-2 11, Mitch Verlanic 3 0-0 7. Josh Liston 0 0-0 0, Brady Hanson 2 0-0 4, Rhett Arntson 4 0-2 11, Kendell Noctor 0 0-0 0, James Pearston 0 0-0 0, Brady Walsh 0 0-0 0. Totals 16 1-6 38.
Hellgate 13 11 10 16 — 50
Butte 8 9 5 16 — 38
3-point goals — Hellgate 4 (Wayland 2, Gillhouse, Link), Butte 5 (Arntson 3, Luedtke, Verlanic). Fouls — Hellgate 16, Butte 13. Fouled out — Pyron, Verlanic. Technicals — none. -
No. 317: Susie Hogart-Harrington
If Susie (Briney) Hogart-Harrington was born 10 years later, we would all probably know her name from her prowess in the athletic arena. She was just good at everything she did.
Unfortunately, Susie came along before Title IX, the 1972 landmark civil rights law that prohibits sex-based discrimination in any education program or activity receiving federal funds.
Susie graduated from Butte Central in 1973, and girls’ sports were an afterthought, to say the least. But Susie kept playing.
She went to Eastern Montana College, which is now called MSU-Billings, and competed in volleyball, basketball and track & field for the Yellowjackets. She was particularly good in the javelin. She launched the javelin 152 feet, which was 2 feet better than the Olympic qualifier at the time.
However, Susie could not get the sponsorship needed to pursue a spot on the U.S. Olympic team. So, she said she breathed a sigh of relief when the United States boycotted the Moscow Games in 1980. It just might have saved her from a lifetime of regret.
While Susie did not get the attention or notoriety she deserved, her daughters sure did. Thanks to pioneers like Susie, girls’ sports were a big deal by the time her three girls, Jackie, J.J. and Jodi came along to star for Butte Central.
Susie was there to coach them in every sport in which they competed. She even coached Butte Central’s volleyball team for four years.
Today, girls’ sports are as popular as ever. Little girls grow up dreaming of being the next Caitlin Clark. That is because of women like Susie. They never believed they were lesser athletes. They just kept playing.
Listen in to this episode as Susie talks about growing up and playing sports before Title IX. Listen as she talks about playing at Eastern and knowing she was good enough to try out for the Olympics.
Listen as she talks about how times have changed and how much fun she had watching her daughters play sports. Listen to hear how she is now living the good life watching her young grandchildren compete.
Today’s episode is presented by Casagranda’s Steakhouse. Eat where the locals eat. It is also available on YouTube:
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Butte Central Catholic Schools to celebrate Catholic Schools Week
Butte Central Catholic Schools will join more than 5,800 Catholic schools and more than 1.6 million U.S. students in the celebration of National Catholic Schools Week 2026.
The week-long celebration will begin Sunday, Jan. 25, and continue through Friday, Jan. 30. Twenty-three Montana Catholic Schools will participate in the event.
The national theme for 2026 is United in Faith and Community. The theme reflects the challenge of Catholic Schools to prepare future leaders of the Catholic Church.
Throughout the week, Butte Central Catholic Schools will hold a series of special events and activities to commemorate the week-long celebration. On Jan. 24- 25, Butte Central Catholic School parents will deliver “thank you” messages to parishioners at local Masses.
On Tuesday, Jan. 27, an All School Mass will be held at St. Ann’s Church at 8:30 a.m. Students from Butte Central Catholic High School and Butte Central Catholic Elementary will be in attendance. The Mass, which will be celebrated by Bishop Vetter, is open to the community.
On Wednesday, Jan. 28, the Butte Central Education Foundation will hold its annual Awards and Dedication Ceremony at 6 p.m. at the Maroon Activities Center. Volunteers, benefactors, and alumni will be honored during the ceremony.
Additional information on the week-long celebration may be obtained by calling the BC Foundation Office at (406) 723-6706.
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Numbers show Maroons and Broncs were better than we thought
BC heads to Dillon while, Bulldog teams face Hellgate
While much of the postgame attention was directed at arguing about the officials on social media, last Tuesday’s boys’ basketball game between Butte Central and Frenchtown was an instant classic.
Central junior GG Fantini drove for a basket and a three-point play with .9 seconds on the clock as the Maroons pulled out a 74-71 Southwestern A win at the Maroon Activities Center.
That came after junior Hank Smith put on a cape to help the Broncs tie a game that looked like a sure loss. That included a baseline 3-pointer to tie the game at 71.
The clock did not stop in time after the officials granted BC coach Brodie Kelly a time out, and the clock was reset to 7.0 seconds. The Maroons then got the ball to Fantini, who knocked in the game winner and a foul shot.
Fans argued about whether it should have been called a charge or a block — and that is an argument that will even leave officials in disagreement. Let’s just say it was a close call, but it looked like Fantini went up for the shot before the defender gained legal guarding position. That would make it a block, which is what was called.
The No. 3Maroons and No. 5 Broncs will meet again Feb. 3 in Frenchtown, and all eyes will be on that game between the two powers from the Southwestern A.
Central junior Joshua Sutton joined Smith with 30 points in the classic game, but that is not the stat that Kelly looked at after going through the numbers.
Maroon coaches put some big-time stock into a statistic called “effective field goal percentage.” That is a statistic that adjusts field goal percentage to account for the fact that 3-point field goals count for three points, while all other field goals count for two. The purpose of the state is to show what field goal percentage a 2-point shooter would have to shoot at to match that output of a player who also shoots 3-ponters.
By that measurement, the Maroons shot 100 percent in the fourth quarter of win over the Broncs. Frenchtown shot 87.5 percent in the final frame. On the game, the Broncs shot 71 percent, four points higher than Central.
The Maroons did not shoot quite as well Saturday in Hamilton, but the Maroons still pulled out a 48-36 win to improve to 8-1 overall and 3-0 in Southwestern A play. Central’s only loss was to Butte High two nights before Christmas.
Central would like to duplicate its effort against Frenchtown Thursday when the Maroons head to Dillon to take on the Beavers (5-4, 1-0). Dillon is riding a four-game winning streak behind three players averaging in double figures scoring.
Cohen Hartman leads the way, averaging 14.4 points and 6.2 rebounds per game. Braxtyn Turney adds 12 points per game, while Aason Munday brings 10.8 points and 6.4 rebounds per contest to the Beaver lineup.
Despite scoring just eight points last time out, Sutton is averaging 20.7 points per game for the Maroons. He is joined in double figures by sophomore Jaxon Hiatt with 10.3 points per game. Fantini scores 9.4, and senior Ryan Peoples adds 8.0. Junior Cade Kelly rounds out the starting lineup for BC, while freshmen Noah Sutton and Henley Mansanti and junior Burkley Lakkala are the first three off the bench.
The girls open the doubleheader at the B.W. Lodge Gymnasium at 6 p.m., and the boys will play at about 7:30.
No. 4 Dillon presents a very tough task for the BC girls (3-6, 1-2). The Beavers (8-1, 1-0) are riding a five-game winning streak since dropping a 46-40 decision to Billings Central Dec. 19 in Dillon.
Tess Tash is averaging 17.2 points and 7.8 rebounds per game to lead the powerful Dillon lineup. Landri Hartman checks in with 15.1 points and 6.7 rebounds, while Cassie Keller and Kaitlyn Konen follow at 11.7 and 11.0.
Central’s girls got a boost to the lineup with the return of sophomore Kenzie McQueary from the lineup, but BC’s comeback bid fell just short in Saturday’s 35-31 loss at Hamilton.
The Maroons, though, were without classmate Natalie Osterman, who suffered an injury playing in a junior varsity game against Stevensville on Jan. 10.
Eighth grader Jordyn Samson’s 9.7 points per game leads the BC lineup. Sophomore Zayonna Otherbull is averaging 7.7 points and 5.2 boards, and junior Rylee Forbes pulls down 8.1 rebounds to go along with 4.8 points per game.
Sophomore Braelynn Schelin and senior Arika Stajcar start for the Maroons, who get contributions off the bench form eighth graders Luci Fantini and Mila Carriger, sophomores Evyn Smith and Jaedyn Maldonad, junior Marly Mansanti and senior Caden Tippett.
The Maroons will play Corvallis on Saturday. The boys will be on the road, while the girls host the Blue Devils at the MAC.
Bulldogs eye Knights
Butte High’s boys’ and girls’ basketball teams will each play just one varsity game this week, and that will be Thursday against Missoula Hellgate.
The boys host the Knights at the Ross J. Richardson Memorial Gymnasium, while the Bulldog girls heat to Zootown. Both Western AA games tip off at 7 p.m.
On the girls’ side, the Bulldogs (6-3, 4-0) are riding a four-game winning streak, and all four of those victories came in conference play. The includes last week’s sweep of the Helena schools.
Junior guard Cadence Graham, who scored 28 points in last Thursday’s win over Helena Capital, averages 18.9 points per game. Classmate Allie Becker moved her average to 10.1 points per game with a career-high 21 points in Saturday’s 74-41 rout at Helena High.
Junior guard Autumn Clary, a defensive specialist with scoring potential, joins Graham, Becker and seniors Franki Salusso and Emma Johnson in the starting lineup. Freshmen Saege Grey and Elli Graham and junior Kendallyn Schad have contributed in all nine Bulldog games. Juniors Reese Johnson, Ellie Yates and Avery Barsness and sophomore Stella Callaghan have also played varsity for Butte High.
The Bulldogs are ranked No. 4 in the latest 406 MT Sports rankings. Hellgate (7-1, 4-0) is No. 5.
Paisley Johnson, a 5-foot-10 junior, averages 12.6 points per game for the Knights.
For the boys, the Bulldogs (8-1, 3-1) remain in the top spot. Hellgate (6-2, 3-1) is No. 5 after last week’s 58-49 loss at Helena High.
The Bulldogs beat Helena High 75-65 Saturday, bouncing back from their first loss of the season, Thursday’s 47-43 loss at Helena Capital.
Hudson Luedtke was held to a season-low 10 points in the loss, but he bounced back with 35 points in the win over the Bengals. The frontrunner for the Gatorade is averaging 27 points per game on the season. He also leads the Class AA in assists.
The Bulldogs will literally face a tall task in taking on the Knights. Zane Gillhouse, a 6-5 senior, averages 15.3 points per game, while 6-3 senior Spencer Wayland adds 13.3 points per game. Liam Dick, a 6-7 sophomore, adds 10.7 points and 5.8 rebounds.
Butte High’s 6-9 sophomore Brady Hanson scored 12 points last time out. Senior Cayde Stajcar tossed in 10.
Seniors Mitch Verlanic and Josh Liston round out the starting five for Butte High. Seniors Rhett Arntson, Kendel Noctor, Ryan Hanson and James Peraston are the first players off the bench. Senior Kaleb Celli and juniors Raeder Grey, Brady Walsh and Koda Schleeman have also seen varsity time for the Dogs.
Dogs, Maroons place at Fisher
Butte High freshman Renzy LeProwse won the 103-pound title at the Jug Beck Rocky Mountain Classic, which was held Friday and Saturday in Missoula. Several blocks away, Bulldog senior Mattie Stepan won her weight class at the Hellgate Girls’ Wrestling Invitational.
That, though, was not the end of the Butte wrestling success last weekend in Missoula.
Butte High and Butte Central grapplers also found success at the John Fisher meet at Missoula Big Sky.
Bulldog Crew O’Connor won the 103-pound division, while Butte Central’s Jampel Hanley took the top spot in the 103A division.
Harlas Hicks placed second at 150B.
Butte High saw a handful of wrestlers place third in the divisions. They are Aiden Much (150A), Andrew Baca (132B), Austen Belisario (126A), Hunter Rees (118A) and Joey Ward (132A.
Central’s Jace Rauch placed third at 103, while Bradon Armstrong (118A), Brekyn Armstrong (132A), Kelsen Brackett (126A) and Kohler Sparks (126A) all placed fourth.
Butte High will send its varsity team to the Class AA Duals Saturday in Great Falls. The Bulldog boys and girls will take on Missoula Sentinel next Thursday (Jan. 29) at the Butte High old gym. That will be Senior Night.
The Maroons, meanwhile, will be in Frenchtown for a meet this Thursday. Action begins at 5 p.m.
Swimmers back in Butte
The swimming teams from Butte High and Butte Central will be back in action Saturday at the Mining City Invitational at the Butte Family YMCA.
Action begins at noon.
We are heading toward crunch time of the swimming season, with just a few meets left before the Feb. 12-14 State meet in Great Falls.
Butte High will host the Butte Invite on Jan. 30 before heading to Missoula for a meet on Jan. 31. Central’s schedule also lists a “Butte Crosstown” event on Monday, Feb. 2.
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Butte Sports Hall of Fame will hold public forum Monday at McQueen Club
The Butte Sports Hall of Fame public forum will be held at 6 p.m. Monday at the McQueen Club.
This forum will give the public the chance to speak on behalf of nominees for the Butte Sports Hall of Fame Class of 2026, which will be announced in February. The induction ceremonies will be held July 24-25 at the Butte Civic Center.
Each speaker will be asked to limit his or her talk to 3 minutes per candidate. The Hall of Fame will also accept new nominations, though it will ask for documentation to back it up.
Any candidate nominated in the past is still nominated for this time around.
Selection committee members are Jim Street, Jason Alexander, Dave Dunmire, Michele Shea, Gina Evans, Cathy Tutty, Ray Jay Johnson, Matt Vincent, Krystin Mengon Lee, Jaison Carriger, Meg Muprhy and Scott Mansanti.
Candidates in the veteran and contributor categories will be voted on by members of the Butte Sports Hall of Fame. The ballots were sent out last week and are due back by Feb. 9.
Any Hall of Famers who did not receive a ballot should contact Bill Foley, Butte Sports Hall of Fame executive director, at (406) 491-3022 or foles74@gmail.com.
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Despite the school district silence, there is a silver lining to Wetzel’s story
Do not count on Butte School District No. 1 reinstating Shawn Wetzel as a volunteer assistant boys’ basketball coach, a position he held the past several years.
Do not count on that even after Cassie Congdon, the woman who allegedly punched, kicked and spit on Wetzel as he refereed during the Santa Slammer youth basketball tournament Dec. 6 in Anaconda, resigned as girls’ soccer coach at Flathead High School in Kalispell.
Do not count on that if or when charges are filed against Congdon in the Smelter City.
Do not count on that if you pack the next school board meeting, which is 5 p.m. Tuesday at East Middle School, to speak up for Wetzel.
Do not count on that even though Moon Shoot Athletics is selling “Free Wetz” T-shirts and hoodies. Do not count on it even if every person in attendance at the next Bulldog basketball game wears that shirt or hoodie, though that would be beautiful.
The district appears to be dead set against bringing Wetzel back, and they are not saying a word about it publicly. Superintendent Judy Jonart and assistant superintendent Keith Miller have ignored my emails asking about the situation.
In general, school administrators love to hide behind the “can’t talk about personnel matters” doctrine. The coach who was dismissed is left hanging in the wind while his “privacy” works as a shield to protect the administrators who gave him the boot, justified or not.
But my ignored emails to Jonart and Miller were not asking them to comment on personnel matters. I was asking why I did not see any mention of any votes on removing Wetzel on the school board agendas. I asked if they could point me to where I might be able to find it if I missed it.
They did not even email back to say they cannot comment.
Multiple people told me that Congdon or her husband reached out to the school district to complain about Wetzel after the incident, though I have seen nothing official about that. I did see an email that Congdon’s husband, C.J., sent to Bill Hill, the tournament director of the Santa Slammer.
In that email, C.J. Congdon wrote, “The stands were full of young children, and the referee was yelling obscenities into the crowd.” The purpose of the email, he wrote, was to get the name of the referee so he could file a complaint.
Wetzel said that he tried to calm down the crowd of yelling parents. When he was getting nowhere in that attempt, he eventually got frustrated and told them to “shut the (expletive) up or get out.” He said he did not call anyone any names, as C.J. Congdon alleged. Multiple witnesses have backed up Wetzel’s side of the story.
No matter what Wetzel said, there was no reason for him to be kicked, punched and spit on. Nobody deserves that, and the “he called me a name” defense will not fly in any court of law.
So good luck with that.
Is this incident and the complaint that followed the reason Wetzel was told the next week that he would not be able to coach with the Bulldogs this season? Again, we do not know because the school district is not saying anything.
If there is another reason why Wetzel was removed as an assistant coach, the school district could have made an easy statement to clear things up without talking about any specific personnel matter.
They could have said, “No alleged incidents at a youth basketball tournament in Anaconda have impacted any hiring decisions by School District No. 1.”
Pretty simple. Then they could have gone back to hiding behind the former coach’s privacy.
When school administrators ignore questions from the media, they are ignoring the public that pays their salaries. Even more, they are making it seem like Wetzel is being punished for being part of an altercation in which he was clearly the victim of a physical attack.
Observers of the security footage at Anaconda’s Memorial Gym told me that the video, which has been sent to Anaconda police, shows Wetzel being attacked. They said it was “bad.”
Of course, if the altercation was not the reason he was removed, we would have many more questions. Did the district violate its own policy by allowing Wetzel to coach in the weeks leading up to the incident, if he was not approved ahead of time?
We would wonder why Wetzel, a coach the players seem to adore, was not allowed to coach this year when he was allowed to coach in previous years. He has not been charged with any felonies since his last background check.
Is it because they do not like some of his political posts on Facebook? Or does his chill attitude just seem to rub some people the wrong way? Or is it something else?
Why are we holding our volunteer assistant basketball coaches to higher standards than we hold our teachers, principals, administrators and school board members? Are principals and teachers removed from their jobs because someone high up in the district personally dislikes them?
Those are questions, and many more, that are brought up by the silence of the district administration. That silence has made a bad situation worse and more confusing.
Two weeks ago, I wrote about the incident involving Wetzel, and it went viral. Wetzel has been on multiple television stations, and I was asked to join the Nate Brown Show on FOX Sports Radio in Rapid City, South Dakota to talk about it.
The column has had more than 132,000 views on Facebook. It included so many shares and comments that it is almost impossible to keep up with.
Not one comment that I saw, however, was negative toward Wetzel. He is enjoying a nearly 100 percent approval rating on this issue. It seems like everyone is supportive of the official who was allegedly attacked, and they do not like the alleged attacker.
In the wake of the column, everyone seems to be in support of all youth sports officials. I have not seen that kind of unity in America since Sept. 12, 2001. People who wear a red tie were in complete agreement with those who wear a blue one.
Wetzel’s popularity around the Treasure State certainly helped with that. That is why I call him the “Mayor of Montana.”
While Wetzel will likely not be rejoining a Bulldog team that just might be the best Butte High team since John Thatcher’s glory days from 2004 through 2007, there is definitely a silver lining to this story.
Wetzel talked about the incident publicly. He did it even though it hurt him emotionally. He did it even though he was embarrassed. Doing that was brave, and it will benefit youth officials around the country.
The story went so far and wide that the next time a mom or dad gets heated at a youth basketball game, they just might think about the Wetzel situation.
Maybe they will put themselves in Wetzel’s shoes. Moreover, many more will think about how that former soccer coach tarnished her own reputation with the alleged attack and complaints about the guy she allegedly attacked.
Charges or not, nobody wants to be in her shoes right now.
That, I believe, is something we can all count on.
— Bill Foley, who will not be wearing any shirts or hoodies with Wetzel’s mug on them, can be reached at foles74@gmail.com. Follow him at twitter.com/Foles74 or Bluesky at @foles74.bsky.social. Listen to him on the ButteCast on Apple Podcasts, Spotify or wherever you find your favorite podcasts.
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Leskovar Honda Athletes of the Week: Renzy LeProwse and Mattie Stepan
Butte High wrestlers Renzy LeProwse and Mattie Stepan are this week’s Leskovar Honda Athletes of the Week.
The honors come after a solid weekend for Butte wrestling in Missoula.
LeProwse, a freshman, takes home the boys’ honor after winning the 103-pound division at the Jug Beck Rocky Mountain Classic at Missoula Sentinel. He pinned Dylan Coulson of Coeur d’Alene, Idaho, in 1 minute, 49 seconds in the championship match.
LeProwse finished third in that weight class two weeks earlier at the Tom LeProwse Invitational in Bozeman. He took fifth at 103 pounds at the Class AA State meet last February in Billings.
Stepan receives the girls’ honor after winning her weight class at the Hellgate Girls’ Wrestling Invitational. She beat Ronan’s Leona Dodson Howe in a 13-9 thriller in the championship match.
The title comes after Stepan placed fourth in her weight class at the State meet last February. She is also a standout for the Butte High softball team. Stepan played soccer for the first time for the Bulldogs last fall.
For the fourth year, Leskovar Honda, home of the non-commission sales staff that always has your back, is teaming up with the ButteCast to honor the finest student-athletes from the Mining City to encourage more children to get up, get out and try all kinds of sports and activities.
Photos of LeProwse and Stepan were provided by Alycia Holland Photography.
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Bulldogs, Maroons impress in pool
GREAT FALLS — Butte High and Butte Central swimmers put some impressive marks Saturday at a meet with schools from Great Falls, Bozeman, Helena and Belgrade.
The Bulldog boys placed fifth at the event, while he Butte High girls captured sixth.
Freshman Adalie Grochowski and senior Tatum Trefts had the best day of all the Bulldog swimmers. Trefts won the 100 breaststroke, while Grochowski placed second in the 200-yard individual medley and the 100 backstroke.
Junior Alaina Grochowski placed third in the 100 breaststroke, and senior Olivia Thurmond finished eighth in the 200 freestyle and 100 butterfly.
Bella Corrales took seventh in the 50 freestyle. Trefts, Thurmond and the Grochowskis took third in the 200 medley relay.
Senior Nathan Stone paced the Bulldog boys in the meet. He placed fifth in the 100 butterfly and the 100 breaststroke.
Freshman Alex Sonnemahttps://www.leskovarhonda.comn posted a best time in he 100 backstroke to place fifth.
Junior Gage Plum posted a personal record in the 200 freestyle, placing sixth. He also had a PR in the 500 freestyle to capture eighth.
Sophomore Grayson Lynch placed eighth in the 100 backstroke to place eighth. Classmate Gunnar Benson dropped 8 seconds from his best 100 butterfly time to place 10th.
Plum, Ayvahn Mann, Stone and Sonnemann placed fifth in the 200 medley relay. Butte High’s team of Jorden Sonneman, Elgiin Hoar, Benson and Sam Cunneen took 10th in the same event.
Sonnemann, Lynch, Tucker Kissell and Stone took third in the 200 freestyle relay. Kissell, Mann, Lynch and Plum took seventh in the 400 freestyle relay.
“Everyone competed hard today,” Bulldog coach Lynn Shrader said. “Almost every swimmer had a best time. They have been working hard in practice, and it is showing.”
Butte Central sent six swimmers to the meet, and three scored.
Junior Morgan Hardy placed eighth in the 500 freestyle and ninth in the 100 backstroke for the BC girls. Tia Thompson placed 13th in the 200 individual medley.
On the boys’ side, freshman Shamus Peck. Took ninth in the 100 butterfly and 10th in the 200 individual medley. Classmate Connor Hardy took 10th in the 100 backstroke.
The Butte swimmers will compete at the Mining City Invitational Saturday at the YMCA.
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KC basketball schedule
Following is the Knights of Columbus Athletic Club’s four-man basketball schedule for the week of Jan. 19.
Monday
6 p.m. — ButteSports vs. Poi Time
7 p.m. — ButteSports vs. HoopballasTuesday
7 p.m. — Washington Generals vs. Jellyfam
8 p.m. — Hoopballas vs. Kenworthy
9 p.m. — Poi Time vs. Someday StartersWednesday
7 p.m. — Everett-Cook Law vs. Jellyfam
8 p.m. — Everett-Cook Law vs. Washington GeneralsThursday
7 p.m. — City Boys vs. Kenworthy
8 p.m. — City Boys vs. Someday Starters
The ButteCast with Bill Foley 