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In the Treasure State, you don’t have to dig far to find truly impressive high school athletes throughout Montana’s history.
There's an impressive sports scene in the state, with high schools producing NBA, NFL, and LPGA athletes, but some of the best players never went pro.
Who is the best all-time Montanan high school athlete? Who best defines the prep environment of the largest state in the country?
As the United States approaches its 250th anniversary, USA TODAY is launching its 250 for 250 series, looking to answer that question by celebrating the best athletes from each state.
From fans' votes, five athletes will be selected to represent the state as legends who have defined high school sports.
Here are the Montana high school athlete nominees. The 12 players (listed in alphabetical order) were all standouts at the high school level.
Shannon Cate was among the top basketball and volleyball players during her time at Billings, winning a combined five championships and earning seven All-State honors across the two sports (two titles and three all-state recognitions in volleyball; three titles and four recognitions in basketball).
In volleyball, Karen Deden was a three-time all-state player and three-time champion. In basketball, she was an All-American, winning a championship and setting the school's record in points and rebounds. Not many can say they’ve done it better in Montana’s history.
Dave Dickenson went 23-0 as CMR's starting quarterback, leading the team to a pair of state championships in 1989 and 1990. He was the Montana Gatorade Player of the Year, was named all-state in golf, and started on the basketball team, according to Montana Sports.
A four-time Pro Bowler, Pat Donovan’s start came in Montana. Donovan dominated three sports, playing both sides of the ball in football, being named an All-American basketball player, and winning medals in shot put, discus and the 880-yard relay, according to Montana Sports.
A two-time Gatorade Montana Boys Basketball Player of the Year, Josh Huestis led CMR to a pair of Class AA state championships. He played basketball at Stanford before making it to the NBA, where he played for the Oklahoma City Thunder for three seasons.
A future NFL quarterback, Ryan Leaf led CMR to a championship as a junior, his first year as a starter. He was also an all-state basketball player as a senior.
Mike Lewis was an electric basketball player in the 1960s, helping Missoula win 56 games in a row from 1962-64 and win a championship. He was a three-time all-state selection and averaged 28.5 points per game as a senior, according to Montana Sports.
Elvis Old Bull was a three-time MVP and three-time state champion, leading Lodge Grass to Class B titles in 1988, ‘89 and ‘90. He scored 1,948 career points and set a record with 22 assists in a game.
Future professional golfer Leslie Spalding emerged as a top golfer at Billings Senior, where she won the 1986-87 Class AA championship. After playing on the LPGA Tour, she returned to coach at Montana State.
Joslyn Tinkle was a two-time Montana Gatorade Player of the Year, four-time all-state player, and became the first basketball player in the state to be invited to the McDonald’s All-American Game. She led Big Sky to two championships.
One of the highest-rated prep recruits from Montana, Tres Tinkle was named Gatorade Montana Boys Basketball Player of the Year twice and made all-state three times. He led Missoula to the 2013 championship.
There has not been a more decorated track and field star in Montana than Madilyn Todorovich, who graduated in 2025 with a state-record 27 medals and 10 titles, according to Montana Sports. At the state meet in her senior year, Todorovich won seven medals and four individual championships. She was a jumper, hurdler and sprinter.
Who is the greatest Montana high school athlete of all time?
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Vote for best Montana high school athlete of all time
Continue reading...
There's an impressive sports scene in the state, with high schools producing NBA, NFL, and LPGA athletes, but some of the best players never went pro.
Who is the best all-time Montanan high school athlete? Who best defines the prep environment of the largest state in the country?
As the United States approaches its 250th anniversary, USA TODAY is launching its 250 for 250 series, looking to answer that question by celebrating the best athletes from each state.
From fans' votes, five athletes will be selected to represent the state as legends who have defined high school sports.
Here are the Montana high school athlete nominees. The 12 players (listed in alphabetical order) were all standouts at the high school level.
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Shannon Cate, Girls Basketball, Girls Volleyball, Billings Central High School
Shannon Cate was among the top basketball and volleyball players during her time at Billings, winning a combined five championships and earning seven All-State honors across the two sports (two titles and three all-state recognitions in volleyball; three titles and four recognitions in basketball).
Karen Deden, Girls Basketball, Girls Volleyball, Missoula Sentinel High School
In volleyball, Karen Deden was a three-time all-state player and three-time champion. In basketball, she was an All-American, winning a championship and setting the school's record in points and rebounds. Not many can say they’ve done it better in Montana’s history.
Dave Dickenson, Football, Boys Basketball, Golf, C.M. Russell High School (Great Falls)
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Dave Dickenson went 23-0 as CMR's starting quarterback, leading the team to a pair of state championships in 1989 and 1990. He was the Montana Gatorade Player of the Year, was named all-state in golf, and started on the basketball team, according to Montana Sports.
Pat Donovan, Football, Boys Basketball, Track and Field, Helena Central and Helena High Schools
A four-time Pro Bowler, Pat Donovan’s start came in Montana. Donovan dominated three sports, playing both sides of the ball in football, being named an All-American basketball player, and winning medals in shot put, discus and the 880-yard relay, according to Montana Sports.
Josh Huestis, Boys Basketball, C.M. Russell High School (Great Falls)
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A two-time Gatorade Montana Boys Basketball Player of the Year, Josh Huestis led CMR to a pair of Class AA state championships. He played basketball at Stanford before making it to the NBA, where he played for the Oklahoma City Thunder for three seasons.
Ryan Leaf, Football, Boys Basketball, C.M. Russell High School
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A future NFL quarterback, Ryan Leaf led CMR to a championship as a junior, his first year as a starter. He was also an all-state basketball player as a senior.
Mike Lewis, Boys Basketball, Missoula High School
Mike Lewis was an electric basketball player in the 1960s, helping Missoula win 56 games in a row from 1962-64 and win a championship. He was a three-time all-state selection and averaged 28.5 points per game as a senior, according to Montana Sports.
Elvis Old Bull, Boys Basketball, Lodge Grass High School
Elvis Old Bull was a three-time MVP and three-time state champion, leading Lodge Grass to Class B titles in 1988, ‘89 and ‘90. He scored 1,948 career points and set a record with 22 assists in a game.
Leslie Spalding, Girls Golf, Billings Senior High School
Future professional golfer Leslie Spalding emerged as a top golfer at Billings Senior, where she won the 1986-87 Class AA championship. After playing on the LPGA Tour, she returned to coach at Montana State.
Joslyn Tinkle, Girls Basketball, Big Sky High School (Missoula)
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Joslyn Tinkle was a two-time Montana Gatorade Player of the Year, four-time all-state player, and became the first basketball player in the state to be invited to the McDonald’s All-American Game. She led Big Sky to two championships.
Tres Tinkle, Boys Basketball, Missoula High School
One of the highest-rated prep recruits from Montana, Tres Tinkle was named Gatorade Montana Boys Basketball Player of the Year twice and made all-state three times. He led Missoula to the 2013 championship.
Madilyn Todorovich, Track and Field, Helena High School
There has not been a more decorated track and field star in Montana than Madilyn Todorovich, who graduated in 2025 with a state-record 27 medals and 10 titles, according to Montana Sports. At the state meet in her senior year, Todorovich won seven medals and four individual championships. She was a jumper, hurdler and sprinter.
Who is the greatest Montana high school athlete of all time?
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Vote for best Montana high school athlete of all time
Continue reading...
