Lady Hawks finish fourth at State tournament

CJI girls basketball team caps memorable season with strong state tournament showing

Mar. 18, 2026 at 12:00am

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The CJI Lady Hawks girls basketball team capped off a memorable season by finishing fourth at the Montana State tournament. After winning their opening game, the Lady Hawks fell to the top-ranked DGSG Bearcats in the semifinals before rebounding with a win over Belt to reach the consolation final. In a tight game against Scobey, the Lady Hawks came up just short, losing 32-30 to finish fourth overall.

Why it matters

The Lady Hawks' strong tournament run, which included wins over West Yellowstone and Belt, showcased the team's talent and resilience. Despite falling short of a trophy, the Lady Hawks' fourth-place finish is an impressive accomplishment that highlights the growth and development of the program under Coach Jordan Miller.

The details

The Lady Hawks opened the tournament with a 56-43 win over West Yellowstone, led by 21 points, 7 rebounds, and 4 assists from Brynn Kammerzell. In the semifinals, they fell to undefeated DGSG 62-40, despite 20 points and 9 rebounds from Kammerzell. The Lady Hawks then defeated Belt 54-49 in the loser-out bracket, with Kammerzell recording 23 points and 16 rebounds. In the consolation final, CJI led Scobey 26-20 after three quarters, but managed just 4 points in the fourth quarter, ultimately losing 32-30.

  • The Lady Hawks opened the state tournament on Thursday, March 13, 2026.
  • They faced DGSG in the semifinals on Friday, March 14, 2026.
  • The consolation final against Scobey was played on Saturday, March 15, 2026.

The players

Brynn Kammerzell

A standout player for the Lady Hawks, Kammerzell led the team in scoring and rebounding throughout the state tournament, averaging 19.3 points and 10.5 rebounds per game.

MaRae Smail

A key contributor for the Lady Hawks, Smail added 30 points and 28 rebounds over the course of the tournament.

Brie Mattson

Mattson, the Lady Hawks' starting point guard and second-leading scorer, suffered an injury early in the consolation final against Scobey.

Audrey Young

A freshman player, Young provided a major lift off the bench for the Lady Hawks, highlighted by her 13-point, 10-rebound effort against Belt.

Jordan Miller

The head coach of the CJI Lady Hawks, Miller led the team to a strong tournament run and praised his players' effort and resilience.

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What they’re saying

“I'm extremely proud of this team this season. They came to Missoula and played their hearts out. Going 2-2 at the state tournament is no small thing. Our leaders stepped up and our underclassmen stepped in, and they all worked together. This team put in the work last summer to get to this point, and they are not finished.”

— Jordan Miller, Head Coach

“Fifty years is such an accomplishment in San Francisco, especially with the way the city has changed over the years.”

— Gordon Edgar, Grocery Employee

What’s next

Coach Miller and the Lady Hawks are already looking ahead to the offseason, with plans to get the team ready for another run at the state tournament next year.

The takeaway

The Lady Hawks' fourth-place finish at the state tournament is a testament to the team's hard work, talent, and resilience. Despite falling short of a trophy, the Lady Hawks' memorable season has set the stage for continued success in the years to come.