Harlem, Hays/Lodge Pole at the Native American Classic in Havre, Chinook opens season in Chester

The 2016-17 boys basketball season got underway last weekend as a handful of teams began play, this week end the rest will get to see their first action of the season including the Chinook Sugarbeeters, Hays/Lodge Pole Thunderbirds and the Harlem Wildcats.

The District 2B Wildcats and District 9C Thunderbirds will get started Thursday at the Native American Classic in Havre at the MSU-Northern Armory Gymnasium.

The Thunderbirds and Wildcats will play the first game of the classic facing off at 3:30 p.m.

The Wildcats will also get things started bright and early Friday morning as they take on Heart Butte at 9:00 a.m. Hays/Lodge Pole will play Arlee at 6:30 p.m.

The Sugarbeeter's will begin play at the Chester preseason tournament opening with a contest against the Valier Panthers Thursday afternoon at 5:30 p.m. Saturday they will challenge the Power Pirates with scheduled tip time of 4:30 p.m.

The District 9C boys race will certainly be one to watch with the defending Class C State Champion Box Elder boys, the Chinook Sugarbeeters, the Hays/Lodge Pole Thunderbirds and Chester/Joplin Inverness Hawks expected to battle it out for the three spots at the Northern C Divisional this February.

The Sugarbeeters will return a pair of All-Conference performers in sophomores Isaac Bell and Cord Schneider. The 'Beeters will also welcome back senior Wade Schneider who missed last season with a knee injury.

Also back for head coach Mike Seymour are seniors Kyle McMaster and Kyler Johnson. Both started a season ago and will look to lead the team this winter.

Chinooks roster also includes senior Franklin NezPerce, junior Tamer Jamieson, sophomores Trajan Hannum, James Christensen, Riley Kellam, Brenden Edwards and freshman Hunter Neibauer and Sam Dumas.

The Thunderbirds return a veteran group loaded with talent. Senior All-State performer Tyson Shambo is back as All-Conference performers Frank RunsAbove and Brian Wing Jr.

Senior Jace Shambo adds experience as does senior Cleo Cole. Juniors Michael Ball, David Main, Ryle Foote Jr. and Chance Main add depth.

Senior Elijah Black Crow, junior Chay-Chazz Shambo, senior Colten Werk and senior Tyrus Brockie are listed as alternates for the Thunderbirds.

Sophomores out are Desmond Shambo and Kyle Young Jr.

The Wildcats will look to seniors Cobin Brockie, Damon Adams, Hollin Fox and Eron Snow for leadership on the court.

Junior Tevin Messerly adds experience, sophomores Sam Main and Zane Fox are back as well. Freshman Taggert Devaney, Brad Chichosz and Lane Allen round out the roster.

The Wildcats are a very young team but will look to compete each time they step on the court and challenge the rest of the District 2B.