Harlem earns split at Native American Classic, falls to Box Elder 60-30, routs Kainai 63-34

The Harlem Wildcat boys basketball team faced a top notch Box Elder Bears team in their season opener at the Native American Classic Basketball tournament in Havre Friday evening falling 60-30.

Saturday however the boys responded with a resounding 63-34 thumping of the Kainai Warriors to even their record at 1-1.

The Wildcats are young team with little varsity experience but contested the Bears throughout the contest doing a good job at forcing turnovers and running the floor.

The Wildcats fell behind early 21-4 but showed some resilience in the second stanza closing the gap to 30-15 at the break.

The played the Bears 9-11 in the third quarter before Box Elder extended the lead, winning 60-30.

Senior Keahna Little and junior Terry Sandcrane each scored seven points in the loss.

Saturday evening against the Kainai Warriors it was Harlem imposing their will.

The Wildcats led 16-9 after one and 37-16 by the halftime break.

The teams played basically even the remainder of the contest with Harlem coasting to a 63-34 win.

Sandcrane blistered the nets for 22 points in the win. Little was hot from the field as well, draining a pair of triples as part of a 17 point effort.

The Wildcats will head east to Malta Thursday to face the Mustangs in their District 2B conference opener.

Saturday the will face Wolf Point in their home opener.