Lustre Lions Earn Second Place at State Basketball Tournament

The small-town team's historic run ends just short of a state title

Mar. 19, 2026 at 5:02pm

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The Lustre Lions' basketball team capped off a dream season by earning a second-place finish at the Class C state tournament in Missoula. After winning the Eastern C divisional championship, the Lions fell just short of the state title, losing 56-41 to a talented Scobey team in the championship game.

Why it matters

Lustre, a small town in Montana, has never seen its high school basketball team achieve this level of success before. The Lions' improbable run to the state championship game has captivated the local community and sparked excitement about the future of the program.

The details

Lustre trailed Scobey by as many as four points in the opening quarter, but a late three-pointer by Prestyn Klatt tied the game at 16-16. Scobey then went on a 10-0 run to close the first half and took a 31-19 lead into the break. The Lions fought back in the second half, with Johnslee Pierre and Joel Reddig leading the charge, but ultimately couldn't overcome Scobey's balanced scoring attack.

  • The Class C state tournament was held on March 12-14, 2026 in Missoula, Montana.
  • The championship game between Lustre and Scobey took place on Saturday, March 14, 2026.

The players

Lustre Lions

The high school basketball team from the small town of Lustre, Montana that earned a surprise berth in the Class C state championship game.

Scobey Spartans

The high school basketball team from Scobey, Montana that defeated the Lustre Lions 56-41 in the Class C state championship game.

Johnslee Pierre

A key player for the Lustre Lions who scored 10 points in the state championship game.

Joel Reddig

A Lustre Lions player who scored 13 points in the state title game, leading the team in scoring.

Prestyn Klatt

A Lustre Lions player who hit a crucial three-pointer to tie the game at 16-16 in the first quarter.

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What they’re saying

“This has been an incredible season for our team and our community. We may have come up short, but I couldn't be prouder of how our players fought and represented Lustre on the biggest stage.”

— Lustre Lions Head Coach

What’s next

The Lustre Lions will look to build on their success next season and make another run at the Class C state championship.

The takeaway

The Lustre Lions' unexpected journey to the state title game showcases the power of small-town sports to unite and inspire a community. Despite falling short of the championship, this team's historic accomplishment will be remembered for years to come.