Harlem falls to Cut Bank, now 3-3

If one thing is for certain in the District 2B girls' basketball race, it's that Harlem is becoming a team to pay attention to.

The girls were in Cut Bank Saturday to take on the District 1B Wolves in a non-conference clash.

Harlem carried a 3-2 record into the contest and were looking to start the new year off with a win but the Wolves had other ideas as they defeated Harlem 70-54.

Cut Bank jumped out to a 19-10 lead after eight minutes. Freshman Skylee Dirden scored seven points in the opening stanza to keep the team within reach.

The teams were even throughout the second quarter allowing the Wolves to maintain their advantage and take a 32-22 lead at the break. A big third quarter by the Wolves paved the way for the win.

Freshman Skylee Dirden turned in a fine effort as she scored 27 points in the loss. Senior Autumn LittlePlume chipped in 12 points.

"We are yet to put a whole game together," stated head coach Laramie Schwenke. "We dug ourselves a hole in the first half and sent them to the line a ton, and they converted."

Harlem wasn't ready for the fast start by Cut Bank, "They jumped on us pretty good with their transition break, especially in the first half," added Schwenke. "They turned us over a lot early."

As the game progressed and the girls calmed down, the team began to compete at a higher level, "We settled in and things got going a little more in the second half but it's a two half game. We shot a lot of free throws but need to convert more of them," said Schwenke.

"Every chance to play is another chance to learn and get better and we will," concluded Schwenke.