We've Got The County Covered
The Chinook Sugarbeeters may have only two players with a lot of varsity experience but after an opening weekend that saw them win two games by an average of 19 points and with an infusion of young talent it may just be a matter of time before that is a distant memory.
Chinook opened play Thursday with a 60-42 victory over the Great Falls Central Catholic Mustangs. Saturday they handled the Dutton/Brady Diamondbacks 60-44 in a contest that didn't seem that close.
The 'Beeters led just 12-9 against the Mustangs and 27-19 at halftime.
A strong third quarter that saw the 'Beeters outscore the Mustangs 13-4 pushed the lead to 40-23 entering the final stanza.
The 'Beeter would put the game away in the fourth quarter as senior Ian McIntosh converted six of eight free throw attempts and buried a long three, helping Chinook put the finishing touches on a 60-42 win.
Senior Travis Hamilton paced the effort with 14 points that include a pair from beyond the arc. Hamilton also corralled seven rebounds and recorded four steals.
McIntosh finished with 13 points and added eight assists and three steals in the win.
The big addition to the 'Beeter attack included a pair of freshman Cord Schneider and Issac Bell. The duo was dynamic in their first varsity action.
Schneider scored 12 points and gathered in four steals while manning one post position.
Bell tallied 11 markers in the win but was a beast on the glass recording 15 rebounds that included six of the offensive variety. Bell also swiped four steals in the win.
Saturday against Dutton/Brady, Chinook jumped out to a quick 22-9 advantage after eight minutes and rode that wave to a 60-44 win to improve to 2-0 on the young season.
Hamilton again was effective all over the floor scoring 17 points. Hamilton helped the 'Beeters get off to their fast start with nine markers in the first quarter alone.
Schneider and Bell again combined to control the paint on both sides.
Schneider tossed in 15 points while Bell added 13. Bell grabbed eight rebounds in the contest and Schneider seven, both recorded four steals apiece for the second straight game.
"It was a good opening weekend to come away with two," stated head coach Mike Seymour. "Now we've got to get back to work this week and get better."
The 'Beeters will head to Hays Friday to face the Thunderbirds. Saturday the team will entertain the Big Sandy Pioneers in their home opener. They will close out 2015 with a road game Tuesday, December 22 in Chester.
They will take to the court for the first time in the new year, January 5 against the Box Elder Bears.