Thunderbirds ready as District 9C Tournament gets underway today

The Hays/Lodge Pole Thunderbird girls and boys basketball teams have concluded the regular season and are prepared to face the challenge of the District 9C tournament.

The boys concluded the regular season with a 83-41 thumping of the Roy/Winifred Outlaws Friday night. Saturday they were dealt a 97-58 setback by the Box Elder Bears.

The weekend split leaves the Thunderbirds with a 9-5 conference mark and an 11-7 overall record.

The boys have earned the number three seed in the tournament and will begin play Wednesday against the number six seeded Fort Benton Longhorns. Tip off is set for 6:00 p.m.

The Thunderbirds have defeated Fort Benton handily twice this season and expect to battle for a top three finish.

The Hays/Lodge Pole girls finished the season with a 1-13 conference mark and a 1-17 overall record.

They earned an eleven point win over Big Sandy in the teams second meeting to earn the number seven seed in the tournament and a first round game against the number two seeded Chinook Sugarbeeters.

The girls have struggled at the District 9C tournament in recent years but they have improved through the season and an opportunity for a win at this years tournament is definitely there.

The District 9C tournament is being played at the Havre High School gymnasium Wednesday through Saturday with the boys championship being played Friday night and the girls on Saturday.

The top three finishers will advance to the Northern C Divisional in Great Falls, February 24-27.

All District 9C games can be heard on KRYK FM 101.3