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.