Two State Champions Choose Dawson
Toby Stewart helped Billings Central win the Montana Class A State Basketball Championship this past March while JJ Bends led Lodge Grass to the Class B State Championship. The two played together at Lodge Grass during their sophomore year of high school and will be reunited next year at Dawson Community College.
"I'm excited to get these two winners," shared Dawson Coach Joe Peterson. "They come from great high school programs and great families. I think their best basketball is still ahead of them as well. They have the kind of character and work ethic that will help them make a good transition to the college level. JJ is just a good all around player that can do a little bit of everything. Toby can play both guard spots, handles the ball, makes good decisions and can shoot the lights out. I know they are both putting in the work this summer mentally and physically so I'm excited to see what they are like when they arrive on campus this fall."
Stewart is a 6'0 180 lb guard. He averaged 11.2 points, 2.6 rebounds, 1.3 assists and 1.2 steals per game this past season. He shot 72% on two-pointers which was the highest percentage in Class A. He also shot 36% from the three-point line, making the 2nd most 3's (52) in Class A. Stewart played his best when it mattered the most, scoring 23 points in the state championship game to help Billings Central beat Dillon by 30 points and cap a 22-2 season with a state championship. In that state tournament run he averaged 17 points, 4 rebounds, 2 assists and 1 steal with 0 turnovers. In fact he only had 13 turnovers in 23 games as a senior. He was all conference all four years and all state twice.
"Right away, it was the tight-knit family atmosphere, the system and stay of play, and of course, the coaches," explained Stewart. "God first in everything and then a high level of play. I feel like this can be my home for the next couple of years and i believe we can work together and prepare for the next level. So I'm excited for that, as well as the community."
Bends is a 6'1 155 lb guard. This past season he averaged 22.3 points, 7 rebounds and 4 assists per game. As a junior, he averaged 17.8 points, 5 rebounds and 3 assists per game for the undefeated 26-0 state champion Lodge Grass Indians. Both years, he was named 1st Team All-Conference and All-State. Bends and the Indians finished in 3rd place in 2024, 2nd place in 2025 and 1st place in 2026. They won every game at state this year by double digits.
"Dawson seems like a perfect fit for me," shared Bends. "I went to a home game before and the environment in the gym was amazing. That's when I knew it was a great place to be."
