Sugarbeeters now 14-0, Thunderbirds win two as season winds down

There are only two weeks left in the regular season for Class B and C High School basketball teams. Jocking for playoff seeding is on the minds of coaches and players and a strong finish is what all are looking for.

The Chinook Sugarbeeters remain unbeaten at 11-0 in District 9C play and 14-0 overall. The 'Beeters dumped the Chester/Joplin-Inverness Hawks on Friday 66-36 and then kicked the offense up a notch to race by the Box Elder Bears 84-40 at home on Saturday.

The Hays/Lodge Pole Thunderbirds began the week with a close call against the North Star Knights on Thursday, picking up a 70-66 win. Saturday at home against the Big Sandy Pioneers the Thunderbirds controlled the game start to finish, earning a 84-57 victory to improve to 8-3 on conference play and 10-4 overall.

The Harlem Wildcats were at home last Tuesday, hosting the Rocky Boy Northern Stars. The Wildcats fell 88-40 and turned their attention to their next contest.

Saturday the Wildcats were in Cut Bank to take on the Wolves. Harlem dropped the season opener to Cut Bank 67-60, but this time it was Harlem getting the 70-66 win.

The Turner Tornadoes hosted the Chester/Joplin-Inverness Hawks on Friday night, looking to avenge a 10 point setback in December. The Tornadoes did just that in a 44-34 win over the Hawks.

Saturday the Tornadoes were back at home for a non-conference tilt against the Dodson Coyotes. Dodson finished strong to defeat the Tornadoes 60-41.

The Sugarbeeters moved up one spot to No. 6 in the State Class C Power Poll on the strength of a pair of lopsided victories.

The Sugarbeeters get every teams best shot on the court, as does any team at the top of their respected division. Thursday in Chester the Hawks were looking to test the Districts top team.

Senior Brendan Edwards began the scoring with a bucket from the left block. Senior Trajan Hannum followed with a long three ball to put Chinook on top 5-0.

Hannum then found senior Isaac Bell in the corner for another triple and suddenly Chinook was on top 8-0. They would push that lead to 13-2 after a three point bomb from sophomore Ethan Bell.

Chinook led 17-6 heading into the second quarter. Isaac hit another from beyond the arc and the Sugarbeeters pushed their advantage to 33-11 by intermission.

The Sugarbeeters kept up a steady attack after the break and played hard nosed defense to keep the Hawks at bay.

After taking a 49-19 lead into the fourth quarter the 'Beeters secured a 66-36 win.

Ethan Bell finished with 18 points to lead the attack. Isaac /Bell and junior Hunter Neibauer each added 10 for the Sugarbeeters in the win.

When the Sugarbeeters and Bears got together in Chinook Saturday night, it appeared early on that the scoreboard might have trouble keeping up as the two teams opened at a blistering pace.

The Bears seemed to hit everything they tossed up and the 'Beeters relentless offensive attack was firing on all cylinders. The two teams were knotted at 18-18 when Chinook's depth began to show.

The 'Beeters scored 56 in the opening half, including 31 in the first quarter to double up the Bears 56-28 at the break.

Chinook coasted to a 84-40 win to improve to 11-0 in conference and 4-0 overall. Schneider led the way with 20 points and six rebounds. Sophomore Reese Elliot added 15 points and five blocks while Isaac Bell finished with 12 points and five assists.

The Thunderbirds and Knights were even, 15-15 through eight minutes Thursday in Gildford in a tightly contested District 9C contest.

Senior Gilbert Snow connected twice from downtown in the second and the Thunderbirds got scoring contributions from six different players to help them take a slim 37-36 lead into halftime.

Senior Jefferey Stiffarm and senior Jeremy Pretty Paint found the mark for three and senior Kyle Young Jr. added ten third quarter points to keep the Thunderbirds rolling and open up a seven point lead, 56-49 with eight minutes remaining.

Senior Kenneth Blackcrow Jr. was money down the stretch, scoring eight points for the Thunderbirds. Snow added five and Young connected on both of his attempts from the charity stripe.

Hays/Lodge Pole was tested for sure, but found a way to eek out a 70-66 win over the Knights in a tough District 9C battle.

Blackcrow led the effort with 20 points, Young added 16 for the Thunderbirds and Snow finished with 15.

Saturday the Thunderbirds were back home to take on the Big Sandy Pioneers.

After a slow start for the Thunderbirds it was Big Sandy that held an 11-6 advantage heading into the second quarter of action.

The Thunderbirds would turn the tables in the second however, outscoring the visitors 20-6 to lead 26-17 at the break.

The offense was kicked into another gear after the break. Snow knocked down a triple, freshman Tyshon Shambo added five including a three-point bomb and the Thunderbirds put 27 on the scoreboard to take a 53-32 lead into the fourth quarter.

The offense wasn't about to slow down, in fact it found another gear with eight players finding the scoring column and the team scoring 31 in the final stanza to walk away from the Thunderdome with a 84-57 win.

Blackcrow led the attack with 20 points, Snow added 13 and Pretty Paint 11.

Turner was home to face the Dodson Coyotes on Friday night and they played well but fell in the end to the Coyotes 60-41. Senior Cody Welsh led the offense with 14 points in the contest.

Saturday they welcomed the Chester/Joplin-Inverness Hawks to town and were looking to turn the tables on a December loss.

The Tornadoes and Hawks were knotted at 8-8 entering the second. Turner would manage one more basket in the second quarter than the Hawks and take a 21-19 lead into halftime.

The Tornadoes added four more points to their lead in the third quarter and led, 32-26 with eight minutes left.

The Tornadoes weren't about to give anything back and secured a 44-34 win over the visiting Hawks.

Welsh again led the offensive effort for the Tornadoes with 16 points, sophomore Shane Kimmel added 11.

The Harlem Wildcats earned a season split with the Cut Bank Wolves on Saturday earning 70-66 win.

The Wolves won the season opener between the two teams but this time it was the Wildcats securing the win.

Harlem led 12-10 after eight minutes and 24-27 by halftime. The two teams continued to give each other their best shot but Harlem was able to hold on for the non-conference win. Senior Lane Allen scored 23 points to lead the Wildcats. Allen Knocked down a quartet of three-pointers to help secure the win.

Boys Basketball

Rocky Boy 88 Harlem 40

Rocky Boy 21 25 29 13 — 88

Harlem 7 17 11 5 — 40

Rocky Boy: Joe Demontiny 6 2-2 18, Mackaveli Sutherland 1 0-0 3, Frankie Bacon 5 6-8 16, Wyatt Caplette 5 2-2 13, Olin Arkinson 6 0-0 15, B. Cantrell 1 1-2 3, C. Woods 0 0-0 0, Jordan Tyner 4 3-3 11, Ben Crebs 2 3-4 7, Cedric Belcourt 1 0-0 2, Sean Gibson 0 0-0 0, Sarinas Mithlo 0 0-0 0. Team Totals 31 17-21 88.

Harlem: RJ Ramone 3 6-10 12, Tyler Cichosz 2 0-3 5, Daniel Lawrence 1 0-0 3, Lane Allen 3 0-3 6, Truth Brockie 2 0-2 4, Trenton Main 2 2-2 6, Cassius Johnson 1 0-0 3, Hunter Gray 0 0-0 0, Teagan LeValdo 0 0-0 0, Jenton Long Fox 0 1-2 1. Team Totals 14 9-22 40.

Three Point Field Goals: Rocky Boy 9 (Joe Demontiny 4, Olin Arkinson 3 ), Harlem 3 (Tyler Cichosz, Daniel Lawrence, Cassius Johnson); Team Fouls: Rocky Boy 18, Harlem 16; Fouled Out: (Harlem) Daniel Lawrence. Technical Fouls: (Rocky Boy) Wyatt Caplette.

Hays/Lodge Pole 70 North Star 66

Hays/Lodge Pole 15 22 17 14 — 70

North Star 15 21 13 17 — 66

Hays/Lodge Pole: Gilbert Snow 6 1-1 15, Jeffrey Stiffarm Jr. 1 0-0 3, Jeremy Pretty Paint 3 1-2 8, Kenneth Blackcrow Jr. 9 2-5 20, Desmond Shambo 0 0-0 0, Kyle Young Jr. 5 5-9 16, Siris Grandchamp 0 0-0 0, Moke Cliff 0 0-0 0, Tyshon Shambo 2 1-2 6, Wyman Bringinggood 1 0-0 2, James Brockie 0 0-0 0. Team Totals 27 10-19 70.

North Star: Austin Hansen 4 0-0 8, Bailey Spicher 5 0-0 12, Caden Rettig 5 0-0 11, Garrett Spicher 4 0-0 11, Payne Ditmar 2 0-2 4, Hayden Massar 6 8-9 20, Rhett Wolery 0 0-0 0. Team Totals 26 8-11 66.

Three Point Field Goals: Hays/L.P. 6 (Gilbert Snow 2, Jeffrey Stiffarm Jr. 1, Jeremy Pretty Paint 1, Kyle Young Jr. 1, Tyshon Shambo 1), North Star 6 (Garrett Spicher 3, Bailey Spicher 2); Team Fouls: Hays/L.P. 18, North Star 15; Fouled Out: (Hays/L.P.) Jeremy Pretty Paint

Chinook 66 Chester/J-I 36

No. 7 Chinook 17 16 17 17 — 66

Chester/J-I 6 5 8 17 — 36

Chinook: Isaac Bell 4 0-0 10, Ethan Bell 6 5-7 18, Hunter Neibauer 4 0-0 10, James Christensen 3 0-0 7, Trajan Hannum 1 2-2 4, Toby Niederegger 0 0-0 0, Reese Elliot 2 3-7 7, Ethan MacLeod 0 0-0 0, Riley Kellam 0 0-0 0, Brendan Edwards 4 0-2 8, Cord Schneider 1 0-2 2. Team Totals 24 8-13 66.

Chester/J-I: Lane Fisher 0 0-0 0, Andrew Woods 3 0-1 6, Kyle Harmon 0 0-0 0, N. Bender 1 2-2 4, Spencer Richter 2 0-1 5, Evan Dalinden 4 5-6 13, Bryce Kammerzall 0 0-0 0, Kealy Haaland 0 0-0 0, Jarrett Green 0 0-1 0, Tyler Wanken 1 6-11 8. Team Totals 11 13-21 36.

Three Point Field Goals: Chinook 7 (Isaac Bell 2, Hunter Neibauer 2), Chester/J.I. 1 (Spencer Richter); Team Fouls: Chinook 19, Chester/J.I. 15; Fouled Out: Brendan Edwards (CHI) Tyler Wanken (CJI); Technical Fouls: Tyler Wanken (CJI)

Dodson 60 Turner 41

Dodson 14 15 13 18 — 60

Turner 15 7 8 11 — 41

Dodson: Michael Jaynes 0 1-2 1, Kaden Racine 0 0-0 0, Caleb Ditmer 1 0-0 3, Tyrese Messerly 1 0-1 3, Julian Benson 0 0-0 0, Jeremiah Benson 2 0-1 4, Corbin Lonebear 8 3-4 19, Sam Main 2 0-0 5, Shaun Ball 6 0-0 13, Alex Werk 1 0-0 2, Zarek Jones 5 0-1 10, Dwight Werk 0 0-0 0. Team Totals 26 4-9 60.

Turner: Austin Welsh 1 3-6 5, Jack Harmon 0 0-0 0, Kurt Calvert 1 0-2 2, Charlie Calvert 1 0-0 3, Cody Welsh 6 2-3 14, Shane Kimmel 2 5-7 9, Trevor Kimmel 0 0-0 0, Shay Humphreys 0 0-0 0, Spencer See 1 0-0 2, Tracer Heilig 2 2-3 6. Team Totals 14 12-21 41.

Three Point Field Goals: Dodson 4 (Caleb Ditmar 1, Tyrese Messerly 1, Sam Main 1, Shaun Ball 1), Turner 1 (Charlie Calvert 1); Team Fouls: Dodson 17, Turner 12; Fouled Out: None; Technical Foul: Corbin Lonebear (DOD)

Chinook 84 Box Elder 40

Box Elder 18 10 5 7 — 40

No. 7 Chinook 31 26 15 12 — 84

Box Elder - Jayden Jones 1 2-2 4, Kadyn Duran 1 2-2 5, Chris Burns 7 5-6 19, Elkin Big Knife 0 3-5 3, Malique Rosette 1 0-0 2, Tayce St. Pierre 1 0-0 2, Marshal Big Knife 0 0-0 0, Kobe Sutherland 0 0-0 0, Hunter Raining Bird 2 0-0 5, Jasper M. 0 0-0 0. Team Totals 13 12-15 40.

Chinook: Isaac Bell 4 2-4 12, Ethan Bell 1 0-0 2, Hunter Neibauer 4 0-0 8, James Christensen 1 0-0 2, Trajan Hannum 0 2-2 2, Toby Niederegger 2 0-0 4, Reese Elliot 7 1-2 15, Ethan MacLeod 0 1-2 1, Riley Kellam 3 4-7 10, Brendan Edwards 3 2-2 8, Cord Schneider 7 6-7 20. Team Totals 32 18-26 84.

Three Point Field Goals: Box Elder 2 (Kadyn Duran 1, Hunter Raining Bird 1), Chinook 2 (Isaac Bell 2); Team Fouls: Box Elder 15, Chinook 14; Fouled Out: Chris Burns (Box Elder)

Harlem 70 Cut Bank 66

Harlem 12 22 18 18 — 70

Cut Bank 10 17 16 23 — 66

Harlem: RJ Ramone 4 7-10 18, Tyler Cichosz 3 0-0 6, Daniel Lawrence 3 0-4 7, Lane Allen 6 7-10 23 , Trenton Main 1 0-0 2, Truth Brockie 2 1-1 6, Cassius Johnson 4 0-1 8, Jehton Long Fox 0 0-0 0. Team Totals 23 15-26 70.

Cut Bank: Hayden Harrell 9 10-13 30, Braden Swenson 1 2-2 5, Coalter Littrell 5 6-8 14, Dawson Vasboe 3 1-2 10, Dayne Barbie 0 2-4 2, Dillon Gray 1 2-4 4. Team Totals 19 23-33 66.

Three Point Field Goals: Harlem 10 (Lane Allen 4, RJ Ramone 3), Cut Bank 6 (Dawson Vosboe 3, Hayden Harrell 2); Team Fouls: Harlem 24, Cut Bank 23; Fouled Out: Hayden Harrell (Cut Bank), Dawson Vosboe (Cut Bank), Dillon Gray (Cut Bank), Tyler Cichosz (Harlem).

Turner 44 Chester/J-I 34

Chester/J-I 8 11 7 8 — 34

Turner 8 13 11 12 — 44

Chester/J-I: Andrew Woods 1 2-2 4, Kyle Hermon 2 2-2 6, Noah Bender 1 0-2 3, Spencer Richter 2 2-3 6, Evan Dahinden 2 1-3 5, Jarrett Green 1 0-0 2, Tyler Wanken 2 4-4 8. Team Totals 11 11-16 34.

Turner: Austin Welsh 3 1-2 8, Jack Harmon 1 0-0 2, Kurt Calvert 0 0-0 0, Charlie Calvert 0 0-0 0, Cody Welsh 6 2-2 16, Shane Kimmel 4 1-3 11, Spencer See 0 0-0 0, Tracer Heilig 3 1-2 7. Team Totals 17 5-9 44.

Three Point Field Goals: Chester/J-I 1 (Noah Bender 1), Turner 5 (Cody Welsh 2, Shane Kimmel 2, Austin Welsh 1); Team Fouls: Chester/J-I 17, Turner 16; Fouled Out: Spencer Richter (C/J-I), Tyler Wanken (C/J-I).

Hays/Lodge Pole 84 Big Sandy 57

Big Sandy 11 6 15 25 — 57

Hays/Lodge Pole 6 20 27 31 — 84

Big Sandy: Brock Proulx 7 0-1 14, Ryan Roth 7 4-6 19, Kody Strutz 0 0-0 0, Crawford Terry 4 3-5 12, Parker Proulx 0 1-4 1, Bradon Cline 0 1-2 1, Kade Strutz 2 2-6 6. Team Totals 20 11-24 57

Hays/Lodge Pole: Gilbert Snow 6 0-0 13, Jeffrey Stiffarm Jr. 1 2-2 4, Jeremy Pretty Paint 5 1-1 11, Kenneth Blackcrow Jr. 9 3-7 21, Kyle Young Jr. 3 1-2 8, Desmond Shambo 1 0-0 2, Siris Grandchamp 3 3-4 9, Moke Cliff 1 0-0 3, Tyshon Shambo 3 0-2 7, Wyman Bringinggood 1 2-2 4. Team Totals 33 13-22 84.

Three Point Field Goals: Big Sandy 2 (Ryan Roth 1, Crawford Terry 1), Hays/L.P. 5 (Gilbert Snow 1, Kyle Young Jr. 1, Moke Cliff 1, Tyshon Shambo 1, Wyman Bringinggood 1); Team Fouls: Big Sandy 15, Hays/L.P. 15; Fouled Out: Kade Strutz (Big Sandy), Tyshon Shambo (H/LP).

District 2B Boys Standings

Team Conf Overall

Poplar 6-1 13-2

Wolf Point 6-1 10-4

Harlem 2-4 4-10

Malta 2-5 5-9

Glasgow 0-5 2-12

District 9C Boys Standings

Team Conf Overall TP

#6 Chinook Sugarbeeters 11-0 14-0 +102

Fort Benton Longhorns 9-1 13-1 +82

Hays/Lodge Pole Thunderbirds 8-3 10-4 +42

Big Sandy Pioneers 4-6 7-7 -30

Box Elder Bears 4-6 5-9 -24

North Star Knights 3-8 5-9 -36

Turner Tornadoes 2-8 3-11 -50

Chester/Joplin-Inverness Hawks 1-10 1-13 -86