An opportunity for Helena to repeat as Class AA Montana/Alberta state champions at home is also present for Billings programs hosting Northwest Regionals next week.

Five teams (Missoula, Billings Scarlets, Lethbridge, Kalispell, Medicine Hat) carry title droughts of seven years or longer into the five-day event.

Helena and the Billings Royals hope to build upon recent dynasties, and Bozeman chases its first championship since going back-to-back in 2019 and 2020.

No. 2 Helena Senators 1, No. 7 Kalispell Lakers 0

Connor Devine slid head-first into Helena’s sixth consecutive state tournament victory Wednesday night, the Kalispell wild pitch still being fished for at the backstop.

There’s walkoffs, then there’s walking off in the state tournament on your home field.

“Coach B(urnett) was telling me about seeing a ball through,” Devine said. “I did. ... He wanted, if (the ball) bounced away, to go get it and score.

“It was a really cool experience.”

“Crazy,” Burnett said. “We had a chance to execute and didn’t get it done. But the ball bounced our way on that one.

“Extremely fortunate there. That’s the way the game goes sometimes.”

Helena captured another championship since then (2023) and Wednesday night began the Senators’ title defense.

Read more at helenair.com