After making the Class A state tournament for the first time in school history last season, the East Helena boys basketball team is looking to repeat its success on the hardwood this year – and got off to a great start with a Dec. 5 victory over Jefferson High.
With three returning seniors leading a mix of experienced players and talented newcomers, the Vigilantes are aiming high while staying grounded. Head coach Ty Ridgeway said the team’s guiding philosophy hasn’t changed.
“We compete in everything we do, and we embrace growth,” he said. “Our identity isn’t about being perfect — it’s about getting better every single day. We play for each other. Our strength comes from our unity: no egos, no excuses. Just a group committed to the same mission. We are focused on one game at a time.”
What has changed is the level of maturity and readiness across the roster. Ridgeway acknowledged the team lost two major contributors in ‘25 graduates Jack Taylor and Slade Olson, but he’s confident his younger players are ready to move into larger roles and provide meaningful depth off the bench.
The team’s offseason work reinforced this foundation. Ridgeway described the team’s focus on strength and skill development, noting that many players developed strength over the fall football season, after the team played together over the summer. “We played a lot of games in June and attended two camps, which helped on the court,” he said. “I feel we also are stronger physically,”
That growth set the stage for the team’s leaders to take a big step forward. Seniors DeonDray Ellis, Talen Thatcher, and Andrew Maxness anchor the squad. Ridgeway shared high praise for his seniors, telling The Monitor that Ellis returns as the team’s leading scorer, but emphasized he’s far from alone.
The coach also lauded Thatcher’s all-around growth — calling him one of the team’s best scorers, defenders, rebounders, and downhill attackers — and highlighted Maxness’ reliability as a physical rebounder and versatile inside-out scoring option.
Meanwhile, junior standouts, including Bearek Shuman, Avery Hager, Korren Gillespie, Parker Taylor, Chase Hager, and Chase Leuthard, add depth and versatility. Ridgeway said that defensively, the team will rely on its length and athleticism, and offensively, they plan to push the pace and use that same athleticism around the rim and perimeter.
Seniors noted the team chemistry and unity in the locker room. Maxness emphasized the bond among players, saying the chemistry between all the players is great, highlighting the squad’s connectivity and communication. Ellis reinforced his teammate’s sentiment, noting that everyone enjoys being around each other and making each other better.
That chemistry showed immediately once the season tipped off. In the opener against the Panthers the Vigilantes jumped out to a 14-0 lead and never looked back, winning 72-47. Ellis led with 26 points, Shuman was a perfect 5-for-5 from the field while scoring 19, and Thatcher added 15. The team recorded 32 rebounds and 18 assists.
The Vigilantes followed the impressive opening with a 71-43 victory over Havre on Dec. 6, continuing to display offensive balance and defensive discipline. Ridgeway said these early games are an opportunity to reinforce effort, energy, and fundamentals.
He stressed that the team needs to play four quarters of basketball, give effort and energy at each end, and remain physical throughout the game. With two early wins in hand, the focus now shifts toward the bigger goals ahead.
The team’s focus remains on steady improvement and aiming high in the state tournament. Ellis said the team’s goals are to win as much as possible — echoed by Maxness, who emphasized that the ultimate goal is making the state tournament and winning it all — a goal several programs no doubt share.
Ridgeway also highlighted preparation, discipline, and accountability. He explained that the season’s message is: nothing easy, no excuses, and work harder. Beyond wins, he hopes players carry lessons that make them better people.
“I hope that long after they leave our program, players carry with them more than wins, stats, or highlight moments,” Ridgeway said. “I hope they walk away with habits and values that make them better people wherever life takes them.”
Ridgeway, who has coached in the community for 21 years, wants players to embrace their roles on and off the court. He said the kids understand expectations and nonnegotiables and represent the community well. Thatcher described what it means to play for East Helena.
“It means a lot to represent such a great community,” he said. “Growing up here with my friends and family, and now to be able to play and make this community proud — it means a lot.”
The Vigilantes have a full schedule of games leading into the heart of the season, including matchups against Browning, Frenchtown, Beaverhead County, Hardin, Lockwood, Laurel, Park, Billings Central Catholic, and Butte Central Catholic.
With the foundation of chemistry, leadership, and preparation, East Helena hopes to not simply repeat its historic state appearance, but make an even deeper run.
For Ridgeway, the focus is simple: control what we can, know your jobs, play hard, and have fun. With a combination of senior leadership, emerging talent, and a tight-knit culture, East Helena’s boys basketball team looks poised to build on its first taste of state tournament play.