Brooke Badovinac Shines as Butte Central Grad Leads Montana Tech to Frontier Conference Glory
- Butte Central
- Mar 3
- 2 min read
Updated: Mar 4
Brooke Badovinac, a standout Butte Central High School alumna, delivered a game-defining performance to propel the Montana Tech Orediggers to the Frontier Conference women's basketball championship. Her heroics in the title game against Dakota State marked a triumphant return for the program.
Game-Winning Moment
In the championship clash on March 2, 2026, at the Butte Civic Center, Badovinac erupted for 21 points and 10 rebounds, including a clutch go-ahead 3-pointer with under 33 seconds left that flipped a 72-68 deficit into a 73-72 lead. The Orediggers (25-4) sealed the 76-72 victory with late free throws from Hadley Humpherys and Badovinac, halting Dakota State's scoring run and clinching Tech's first Frontier title since 1983. Liv Wangerin added 16 points and Halle Haber contributed 15 in the fourth-quarter
Path Through the Tournament
Badovinac impact shone throughout the Frontier postseason in Butte. In the semifinals versus Montana Western, she tallied 15 points, seven rebounds, and three blocks, sinking crucial free throws with eight seconds left for a 78-74 win. Earlier, Tech edged Providence 60-57 in the quarterfinals, with Badovinch key in building momentum. Her efforts earned her second-team All-Frontier honors, all-defensive team nod, and a league-leading 59 steals for the season.
Butte Roots and Legacy
A Butte native and Butte Central legend, Badovinac rewrote local records in high school as the all-time seasonal leading scorer (671 points in 2022) and tied single-game marks with 41 points. Now a sophomore guard/forward at Montana Tech, she averaged 10.8 points, 4.0 rebounds, 25 threes, and an .873 free-throw clip this year. "Doing it in front of my hometown... unreal feeling. I love this community," she said post-title.
Both teams advance to the NAIA Tournament, with brackets revealed Thursday and opening rounds March 13-14. Badovinch's championship poise cements her as a Mining City hero.fcsports+2
