Helena Christian High School Rams and Carroll College will play host to the 2006 Montana Christian Athletic Association State High School Basketball Tournament February 16-18 at Carroll College.

Ten Montana schools and Home School Associations are represented in the boys and girls Tournament.

The schools represented include Helena Christian High School, Stillwater Christian School, Flathead Valley Home School, Helena Home School and Treasure State Academy in the West, and Yellowstone County Home School, Gallatin Valley Home School, Foothills Community Christian School, Bozeman Christian School and Billings Christian School in the east bracket.

Host Helena Christian High School boys kickoff the tournament Thursday morning at 8:15 a.m. against No. 3 east seed Foothills Community Christian School.

"This is our second straight year to host the state tournament. This is a fun tournament to put on", commented Helena Christian coach Bob Hitzeroth. "The tournament represents an outlet for private schools on the state level. It is good, solid Class C basketball."

Regarding the Ram's chances in the tournament, Hitzeroth is upbeat. "Our boys expect to be playing in the championship game. We are healthy and playing well right now." The Rams are seeded No. 3 in the West bracket. The Rams are led by seniors Seth Munro and Jesse Tack, and sophomores Kevin and Cade Foster.

The Lady Rams enter the tournament the No. 2 seed in the West bracket. Led by four seniors, Alyssa Foster, Carly Garrison , Dani Fuller, and Mernie McCarl, they are expected to be a favorite.

"The girls are doing well right now," coach Jack Foster commented. "We have four seniors that have played together for a couple of years now. Going into the tournament we're one of the top teams". The Lady Rams are a big team along the front line, boasting two players over 6-feet including leading scorer Alyssa Foster, and a third at 5'10". The Lady Rams open action at 11:30 a.m. Thursday against No. 3 seed Foothill Community Christian School.

Tickets are available each day at the Carroll College Gym. For additional information, contact the Helena Christian High School at 442-3821.