Big Sky High School is preparing for the annual GOAT game against the Hellgate Knights this Friday.
Last year, the 6th annual GOAT game ended in a win for Big Sky, with its “Rio” theme overtaking Sentinel’s “Purple Reign,” 466-439.
To earn points, competing high schools must have their students wear their school’s GOAT game t-shirts, show good sportsmanship, produce a creative, well-organized halftime show made up of lots of students and staff, and consistently cheer during the boys’ and girls’ basketball games.
The judges that are picked for all GOAT games are not affiliated with any Missoula high school competing in the GOAT game.
Because the GOAT game is more than just an athletic event, assistant principal Jack Young says more students often show up to participate.
“I would say probably two to three times more students show up,” Young said. He also mentioned that last year, Big Sky made $12,000 in ticket sales, while other basketball games bring in about $1,000 in ticket sales.
Many Big Sky students expressed their excitement for the upcoming GOAT game. Student Maddie Bentel, a senior at Big Sky, commented on what she loves about the GOAT game.
“Probably just everybody’s energy and how excited everybody gets,” Bentel said.
Bentel also stated that she will be participating by “showing up and wearing my shirt and cheering on the teams.”
Another senior, Hannah Iverson, said, “I love seeing everybody come together and have a good time, and it’s not even about the game.”
Iverson went on to say, “I will be participating by singing the national anthem with the rest of the choir.”
This year’s game will start with the boys’ facing off at 6 p.m. Big Sky will be performing their halftime show first during halftime of the boys’ game. Hellgate will perform their halftime show during the girls’ game, and the 2026 GOAT game winner will be announced after the girls’ game, which starts at 8 p.m.
