Hawks welcome State B challenge

A welcome walk into the great unknown of State B tournament basketball.

The Thompson Falls Blue Hawks won a berth into the State B basketball tournament in Billings this week by winning third in the Western B tourney in Eureka (see other story). Coach Jake Mickelson is quite understandably very excited about the opportunity his team has; perhaps too excited.

“I have barely slept the last few nights,” he said. “I am just really excited that our guys get a chance to play in a state tournament, it’s a pretty rare opportunity for these kids, one that a lot of teams never get.”

As the No. 3 seed from the Western B, the 15-4 Hawks have earned a game against the No. 1 team from the Northern B, the 21-4 Shelby Coyotes. Mickelson has watched some film of Shelby’s recent games and is unfazed by the powerful Coyotes.

“I think we actually match up pretty well with Shelby,” he said. “We know they are a very good squad but we feel pretty good about ourselves right now too. We look forward to going over there and seeing what we can do.”

Although simply getting there to the Big Show is the biggest thing, Mickelson also wants his team to approach any game like they can win it. Like they have approached every game up until now this season.

“These kids are kind of fearless, they will not be intimidated easily,” he said. “We feel like we have the talent to play with anyone and hope to prove that this weekend.”