Helena Lightening finish strong

The Helena Lightening fifth grade girls basketball team ended its season with a bang.

The Lightening took first among the fifth grade girls at the Helena Shoot Out and Swish tournaments as well as taking first place at the Butte Invitational tournament this past weekend.

The team was coached by Staci Dawes.

Phelps working with African soccer program

Former Capital High and University of Chicago soccer standout Stuart Phelps is currently interning in Lusaka, Zambia, with Africa's Grassroots Soccer (GRS) program. The nonprofit organization uses soccer as a vehicle for HIV/AIDS education programs for youth.

Phelps was an all-state kicker for the 2001 state champion CHS Bruins. At Chicago, he served as the Maroons' captain and was voted Team MVP. Phelps' latest involvement in Zambia is with the GOal Girl GOal! project.

"GRS Zambia has an entry in Nike's new GameChangers competition, which seeks to support innovative projects that are 'changing the game for women in sport,' and we need help in drawing attention to GOal Girl GOal!" Phelps wrote. "This phenomenal initiative is a partnership between Grassroot Soccer and the Chikumbuso Women and Children's Project, which has created a soccer team for 50 young girls at Chikumbuso. For more information or to offer support, go to the GOal Girl GOal! web site at http://sportforchange.changemakers.net/en-us/node/18066.

Helena Hooligans fall to Drummond

In its first official game of the season, the new Helena high school rugby team fell to the Drumond Trojans 29-12 Thursday night in Helena.

"It went really well," said head coach Howard Reed. "We just didn't pull out the win. We had a couple more chances to score and things just didn't go our way."

The two squads played a full 70-minute contest, something Reed said was a good cardio test for some of his guys.

Capital High senior Haden Smoot scored the first try of the game for the Hooligans, who allowed Drummond to get out to a quick start by scoring twice in the first 5 minutes. Helena's second score was a penalty try.

Reed said Drummond held a definite size advantage.

"They look like a men's team," Reed said.

Next up for the Hooligans, they will travel to Simms for an April 9 contest. Kickoff is slated for 4 p.m.