The latest NAIA top 25 was released Wednesday with some movement for the Frontier Teams.

Carroll College jumped from #18 to #11 with a pair of wins this past week.
UM Western drops 3 places from #12 to #15.
Rocky Mountain College (winners of 3 straight) dropped from #20 to #22

The Current Frontier Conference Standings with 7 games remaining.

Carroll College                 7-1         16-5
Rocky Mountain              7-1         15-5
UM Western                    6-2         18-3
Providence                       2-6         12-9
Montana Tech                 2-6         6-12
MSU Northern                 0-8         7-14

This weeks games:
Thursday:

Rocky Mountain @ Carroll College
UM Western @ MSU Northern
Providence @ Montana Tech

Saturday:

Montana Tech @ Northern
Carroll College @ Providence
UM Western @ Rocky Mountain

Here in Butte America, the lady Orediggers will host the Argos for Round 2, Thursday night at the HPER. Their first meeting was on January 7 -also at the HPER- and the Diggs came away with a 69-61 win in an absolute gut-check type of game. Providence led 29-16 after the first half, holding Montana Tech to one field goal in the second quarter.

Reed Hazard-v Madison Allen -Picture courtesy of BnO Photography. BRIANNA OMARA
Reed Hazard-v Madison Allen -Picture courtesy of BnO Photography. BRIANNA OMARA
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Over the final 20 minutes, the Diggs outscored the Argos 53-32 to get a huge win. The second half  was dominated by Tavia Rooney with 18 second-half points, and Aubrie Radamacher with 12 in that timeframe.

Aubrie Rademacher battles the Argos in the block- Picture courtesy of BnO Photography. BRIANNA OMARA
Aubrie Rademacher battles the Argos in the block- Picture courtesy of BnO Photography. BRIANNA OMARA
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For the game, Tavia finished with a double-double, 26 points, and 13 rebounds. Aubrie knocked down 14 points and pulled down 5 boards. Soda Rice finished with 8 points, and Dani Urick contributed 7.

Picture courtesy of BnO Photography. BRIANNA OMARA
Picture courtesy of BnO Photography. BRIANNA OMARA
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Providence put 3 ladies in double figures that first meeting. Reed Hazard with 15, Maddy Dixon with 14 points and 7 rebounds, and Brooklyn Harn finished with 10 points.

These programs only played a couple of weeks ago, but they feel like they are both more comfortable in their game coming into this meeting. Providence went 1-1 this last week, beating Northern and falling by 10 to Western (in a battle) The keystone for Providence is Reed Hazard, if she gets started early, knocking down shots and controlling things offensively, it feels like the Argos fall right in line and play with confidence. If Tech can keep her off balance, and frustrated, that will help their cause a bunch.

Providence does roll back into town with 4 ladies right around double digits a game, Hazard, and Maddy Dixon both at 12 a game, Kenedy Cartwright, and Brooklyn Harn both a bit over 9 points a game.

For the Orediggers, I feel like it has to be another “Rooney/Rademacher” show. I just don’t think Providence has a good answer for their size/quickness/strength. The ‘answer’ might be to try and deny the entry pass as best you can. Tavia enters the game as the Orediggers leading scorer, netting 14 a game, Aubrey averages 10, Dani Urick is up to 8 points a game and Soda Rice is at 6. Soda and Dani will both be big factors in this game for the Diggs to come away with the win.

Soda Rice elevates -Picture courtesy of BnO Photography. BRIANNA OMARA
Soda Rice elevates -Picture courtesy of BnO Photography. BRIANNA OMARA
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This will be an important battle for 4th place, hope we see you in the HPER Thursday, tip-off scheduled for 5pm.

I want to thank Brianna O'mara/BnO Photography for the use of her photos, you can see her exceptional work on her Facebook Page.

Know Your Butte History: Standing Mine Headframes

Dozens of mine headframes used to dot the Butte hill but most have since been torn down or swallowed by the Pit. Here are the ones that still tower proudly over our town.