Surgarbeeters win one at State C, Harlem, Hays/Lodge Pole come up short

The Chinook Sugarbeeter boys basketball team concluded their season in Billings at the State C Basketball tournament. The 'Beeters topped Plenty Coups in the opener 68-51 and then fell to the Arlee Warriors in a hard fought semifinal contest before bowing Saturday morning with a loss to Fairview. Chinook finishes the season 25-2.

The Harlem Lady Cats were in Belgrade to take part the schools first ever Girls State B Basketball Tournament. The Lady Cats dropped a heart breaker to the Forsyth Dogies 40-37 Thursday afternoon. Harlem then saw their season end Friday with a 61-40 loss to Three Forks to finish the season 19-6.

The Hays/Lodge Pole Thunderbirds were also in Billing at the State C Boys Tournament. In the final game of the day Thursday the Thunderbirds fell to the Melstone Broncs 78-55. Friday morning their season concluded with a 69-35 loss to the Fairview Warriors. Hays/Lodge Pole Finishes the season with a 17-10 record.

The Chinook Sugarbeeters took on the Plenty Coups Warriors in the first game of the Class C Boys State Tournament. The Warriors connected on their first shot of the game, a three-point bomb to take a 3-0 lead.

Junior Hunter Neibauer collected an offensive rebound and scored on the 'Beeters next possession. Senior Cord Schneider then gave the 'Beeters a 4-3 lead, taking a nice feed from Neibauer and turning it into points.

Chinook kept their foot on the gas. Senior Trajan Hannum found senior Brendan Edwards down low. Senior Isaac Bell followed with a nifty pass to Schneider to give the 'Beeters a quick 8-3 lead.

Edwards would score again down low and Neibauer followed with a floater in the lane to keep the 'Beeter offense rolling.

Bell answered the call as time ran down in the first quarter, scoring at the buzzer to give Chinook a 15-8 lead heading into the second quarter.

Hannum again found Edwards underneath to start the second and Bell hit Schneider moments later as the lead swelled to 22-9.

Senior Riley Kellam got into the action midway through the second getting an easy basket at the rim and knocking down a pair from the charity stripe. A lay-up from Bell pushed the lead 33-15.

Kellam converted twice more from the line and Hannum turned defense into offense with a steal and lay-up for a 37-15 lead. Chinook would take a 44-29 lead into the halftime locker room.

After the break, the Warriors scored twice early, but baskets from Bell, Neibauer and Edwards, along with a pair of free throws from Schneider kept the 'Beeter comfortable, 52-33.

The 'Beeters maintained a 19-22 point lead the remainder of the contest until a three pointer at the Buzzer from the Warriors made the final 68-51.

Schneider paced the 'Beeter effort with 17 points and 10 rebounds. Bell added 14 points and five assists. Neibauer finished with nine points and six rebounds in the win.

The 'Beeters then took on Arlee in a semifinal contest. The Warriors, being the two-time defending state champions, brought experience on the biggest stage to the table, but the 'Beeters were ready to lay it all on the line.

Arlee started strong, connecting on their first five shots of the game to take an early 15-6 lead over Chinook but a nice spin move in the paint from Schneider brought the 'Beeters back within five, 15-10 at the end of one. Schneider scored eight in the opening stanza.

Schneider scored six more in the second and Hannum and Kellam were perfect from the line connecting on all six attempts. Chinook, however trailed 33-24 heading into halftime.

The 'beeters came out firing in the third quarter. An offensive rebound put back from Edwards got the offense started. Bell knocked down an open three off an inbound pass from Hannum sophomore Reese Elliot provided a spark off the bench, scoring five in the quarter.

The Warriors led 43-41 with :04 left in the quarter and were inbounding under the Chinnok basket when Elliot tip the inbounds pass and Neibauer collected it to get up a shot as time expired and tie the game at 43-43.

The Warriors collected themselves and went on a little run to start the fourth, but the 'Beeters still had fight left in them. Schneider slipped a nice pass between two defenders to Elliot, who had lost his defender at the top of the key for a slam to bring the 'Beeters back within four, 60-56.

The 'Beeters were unable to hit a big shot down the stretch and the Warriors were impressive from the line, knocking down 12-14 to seal a 72-61 win over the 'Beeters.

Schneider had a monster game, scoring 29 points on 12-16 shooting from the field. He also led the team with six rebounds. Edwards finished with nine points and five rebounds.

One of the hardest things for any team to do at the state tournament is rebound Saturday morning against a top quality team. Both Chinook and Melstone would learn that first hand.

The 'Beeters took on Fairview, a team who had gotten back on the winning track a day earlier and had a full day of rest. The teams that play Friday get to bed late and are up early for a 9:30 start on Saturday.

The 'Beeters gave their best effort, but were unable to stay with the Warriors start to finish and saw their season end with a 63-45 loss.

Chinook has plenty to be proud of as they finish the Season 25-2.

The 'Beeters were led in the contest by Schneider with 12 points and seven rebounds. Sophomore Ethan Bell added 10 points for Chinook.

Chinook has plenty to be proud of as they finish the Season 25-2. They were District 9C Conference and Tournament Champions as well as Northern C Divisional Champions.

"I'm proud of our teams accomplishments. Our back-to-back 9C championships, District and Conference. Our Divisional Championship, those are some big accomplishments," said Head Coach Mike Seymour. "I'm extremely proud our kids. They played hard and did what they could, I'm proud of them."

"That tournament experience on that stage, the bright lights, the size of the gym and the talent, the quality of talent is impressive," added Seymour. "They worked hard all year, they deserved to be on that stage and I'm proud of them for getting that opportunity."

In Belgrade at the Class B Girls State Tournament the Harlem Lady Cats took the court at a state tournament for the first time in school history when they took on the Forsyth Dogies.

The Dogies scored the opening basket to take a 2-0 lead. Senior Skylee Dirden then stepped to the line and scored Harlem's first ever state tournament point, connecting on 1-2. The Dogies took control early and led 10-3.

Junior L'Tia Lawrence swiped the ball right after a defensive rebound by Forsyth and scored to bring Harlem within four, 14-10.

Dirden scored again for the Lady Cats but the Dogies still held a four point advantage, 16-12. Lawrence added another bucket late, but Harlem entered the halftime locker room down 22-14. Lawrence scored 11 of the teams first half points with Dirden accounting for the other three.

Lawrence came out firing to start the third, connecting twice from beyond the arc to cut the deficit back to four, 24-20. Freshman Taya Trottier made it 24-22 with a pair from the charity stripe.

Lawrence then gave the Lady Cats the lead after a nice reverse layup, 29-28. Dirden and Lawrence each scored down the stretch to help Harlem hold a 37-35 advantage late.

The Dogies reclaimed the lead at 38-37 but Harlem still had a chance with :07.1 remaining on the clock. The Lady Cats got the ball in off an inbound to the right of the basket but were unable to convert and the Dogies sealed the win with a pair of free throws at the other end 40-37.

Lawrence paced the team with 22 points in the contest, Dirden added nine in the loss.

Friday morning the Lady Cats took on the Three Forks Wolves in loser out action. Harlem fell behind early, 15-11 at the end of one and trailed 35-18 by intermission.

The Lady Cats kept playing hard but it was not meant to be as their season came to an end with a 61-40 loss to the Wolves. Dirden led the team with 13 points, Trottier added 12 and Lawrence nine.

The Hays/Lodge Pole Thunderbirds had a great season that came to an end in Billings after two games.

Head Coach Derrick Shambo guided his team to a spot in the State C Tournament. The Thunderbirds were considered long shots to turn the trick at the start of the season. The Thunderbirds grinded their way to 12 wins during the regular season and then hit their stride at the District 9C and Northern C tournaments to punch their ticket to the state tournament.

The Thunderbirds opened against Melstone and were never able to gain any traction in the contest, falling 78-55. Senior Gilbert Snow scored 13 and Senior Kenneth Blackcrow Jr added 12.

Friday morning the Thunderbirds faced the Fairview Warriors in loser out action. The result was very similar to their opener as they fell behind early in a 69-35 loss to the Warriors. Snow led the team with 10 points.

State C Boys Basketball

Rim Rock Auto Arena, Billings, MT

Chinook Sugarbeeters 67

Plenty Coups Warriors 51

Plenty Coups 8 7 14 22 — 51

Chinook 15 20 9 23 — 67

Plenty Coups: Julian Glenn 8-12 3-3 21, Clarence Stewart 1-7 0-0 3, Kevion Ladson 4-8 0-0 9, Brendon Falls Down 1-3 0-0 2, J’Ree Old Bull 1-2 2-2 4, Keelan Dillon 1-2 0-0 2, Zephinia Monroy 1-2 0-0 2, Marlon Goes ahead 1-3 0-0 2, Wade Stone 0-0 0-0 0, Caleb LaForge 0-1 0-0 0, Anton Rides Horse 0-3 1-2 1, Josh Keo 2-5 0-0 5. Team Totals 20-48 6-7 51.

Chinook: Isaac Bell 4-7 6-6 14, Ethan Bell 0-0 2-2 2, Hunter Neibauer 3-4 3-6 9, James Christensen 0-0 0-0 0, Trajan Hannum 3-5 0-0 7, Reese Elliot 0-0 1-2 1, Riley Kellam 2-3 4-4 8, Brendan Edwards 4-5 1-6 9, Cord Schneider 6-14 5-6 17. Team Totals 22-38 22-32 67.

Three Point Field Goals: Plenty Coups 5-13 (Julian Glenn 2), Chinook 1-4 (Trajan Hannum); Rebounds: Plenty Coups 18 (Josh Keo 2, Kevion Ladson 2, J’Ree Old Bull 2), Chinook 29 (Cord Schneider 10, Hunter Neibauer 6); Assists: Plenty Coups 9 (Zepheniah Monroy 3), Chinook 10 (Isaac Bell 5); Steals: Plenty Coups 9 (Julian Glenn 3), Chinook 11 (Brendan Edwards 4); Blocks: Plenty Coups 0, Chinook 2 (Trajan Hannum, Isaac Bell) Fouls: Plenty Coups 24, Chinook 14; Fouled Out: Josh Keo (PC), Brendan Falls Down (PC); Technical Foul: Isaac Bell (CHI).

Arlee Warriors 72

Chinook Sugarbeeters 61

Arlee 15 18 10 29 — 72

Chinook 10 14 19 18 — 61

Arlee: Darshan Bolen 2-3 0-0 5, Lane Johnson 2-7 11-13 16, Lane Schall 0-0 0-0 0, Isaac Fisher 6-10 2-2 14, Greg Whitesell 10-15 8-10 29, Zach Running Crane 3-4 0-0 6, Chase Gardner 0-0 0-0 0, Nate Coulson 0-0 0-0 0, Cody Tanner0-0 2-4 2, Billy Fisher 0-0 0-0 0, David Haynes 0-0 0-0 0, Levi Fullertoni 0-0 0-0 0. Team Totals 23-39 23-29 72.

Chinook: Isaac Bell 2-9 0-0 5, Ethan Bell 0-3 0-0 0, Hunter Neibauer 2-6 0-0 4, James Christensen 0-1 0-2 0, Trajan Hannum 0-2 5-6 5, Reese Elliot 2-3 3-6 7, Riley Kellam 0-1 2-2 2, Brendan Edwards 4-6 1-2 9, Cord Schneider 12-16 5-7 29. Team Totals 22-47 16-25 61.

Three Point Field Goals: Arlee 3-5 (Darshan Bolen, Lane Johnson, Greg Whitesell), Chinook 1-4 (Isaac Bell); Rebounds: Arlee 25 (Isaac Fisher 6, Zach Running Crane 5), Chinook 24 (Cord Schneider 6, Brendan Edwards 5); Assists: Arlee 10 (Lane Johnson 5), Chinook 8 (Trajan Hannum 3); Steals: Arlee 6 (Greg Whitesell 3), Chinook 6 (Hunter Neibauer 2); Blocks: Arlee 3 (Isaac Fisher 2, Zach Running Crane 1), Chinook 1 (Cord Schneider) Fouls: Arlee 27, Chinook 22; Fouled Out: Isaac Fisher (Arlee), Isaac Bell (CHI), Brendan Edwards (CHI).

Fairview Warriors 63

Chinook Sugarbeeters 45

Fairview 6 20 11 26 — 63

Chinook 7 7 8 23 — 45

Fairview: Cody Asbeck 4-6 2-2 10, Josh Herron 4-6 1-3 9, Lak Kloker 0-0 2-2 2, Alex Schriver 4-10 11-13 19, Luke Lebsock 1-2 0-0 3, Paul Hardy 2-3 0-1 4, Kanyon Taylor 0-0 4-6 4, Braiden Taylor 5-5 0-0 10, Jesse Selting 0-0 0-0 0, Gerit Johnson 0-0 0-0 0, Brady Buxbaum 0-0 0-0 0. Team Totals 20-32 22-29 63

Chinook: Isaac Bell 0-5 1-2 1, Ethan Bell 2-8 5-5 10, Hunter Neibauer 1-2 0-0 3, James Christensen 1-1 0-0 3, Trajan Hannum 1-6 2-2 5, Damon Hannum 0-1 1-2 1, Toby Niederegger 1-2 0-0 2, Reese Elliot 0-1 0-0 0, Ethan MacLeod 0-0 0-0 0, Riley Kellam 0-1 0-0 0, Brendan Edwards 4-8 0-0 8, Cord Schneider 3-11 6-8 12. Team Totals 13-46 15-19 45.

Three Point Field Goals: Fairview 1-2 (Luke Lebsock), Chinook 4-18 (Hunter Neibauer, Trajan Hannum, Ethan Bell, James Christensen); Rebounds: Fairview 24 (Alex Schriver 6, Josh Herron 5, Cody Asbeck 5), Chinook 29 (Cord Schneider 7, Reese Elliot 4, Brendan Edwards 4); Assists: Fairview 9 (Alex Schriver 4), Chinook 9 (Trajan Hannum 6); Steals: Fairview 8 (Alex Schriver 3), Chinook 6 (Toby Niederegger, Cord Schneider, Ethan Bell, Trajan Hannum, Hunter Neibauer, Isaac Bell); Blocks: Fairview 3 (Cody Asbeck, Josh Herron, Lak Kloker), Chinook 3 (Reese Elliot 2, Isaac Bell 1) Fouls: Fairview 21, Chinook 24; Fouled Out: Cody Asbeck (Far), Josh Herron (Far).

Melstone Broncs 78

Hays/L.P. Thunderbirds 55

Melstone 16 24 24 14 — 78

Hays/L.P. 6 12 17 20 — 55

Melstone: Brody Grebe 11-22 3-4 26, Thomas DeJaegher 3-4 2-3 10, Tyler Kombol 0-3 0-2 0, Bryce Grebe 2-7 4-4 10, Shayden Cook 7-10 4-4 19, Davon Meredith 2-4 0-0 4, Holden Roskelley 0-0 2-2 2, Nathan Zard 2-5 0-0 4, Carson Hein 0-0 1-2 1, Ty Meredith c0-2 0-2 0, Brayden Dejaegher 1-2 0-0 2, Kaleb Dejaegher 0-1 0-0 0. Team Totals 28-62 16-23 78.

Hays/Lodge Pole: Gilbert Snow 5-7 2-2 13, Jeffrey Stiffarm Jr. 2-7 0-0 4, Jeremy Pretty Paint 2-7 0-0 4, Desmond Shambo 0-1 0-0 0, Kenneth Blackcrow Jr. 2-5 7-12 12, Kyle Young Jr. 2-10 2-2 7, Estevan Granados 0-0 0-0 0, Siris Grandchamp 0-2 0-0 0, Deshon Shambo 1-5 0-0 2, Tyshawn Shambo 1-1 2-5 5, Wyman Bringinggood 1-5 4-4 6, James Brockie 1-21 0-2 2. Team Totals 17-51 17-27 55.

Three Point Field Goals: Melstone 6-18 (Bryce Grebe 2, Thomas DeJaegher 2), Hays/L.P. 4-18 (Gilbert Snow, Kenneth Blackcrow Jr., Kyle Young Jr., Tyshawn Shambo); Rebounds: Melstone 42 (Brody Grebe 11, Nathan Zard 6), Hays/L.P. 34 (Jeremy Pretty Paint 7, Tyshawn Shambo 5); Assists: Melstone 16 (Brody Grebe 6), Hays/L.P. 9 (Kenneth Blackcrow 3, Jeremy Pretty Paint 2); Steals: Melstone 8 (Brody Grebe 5), Hays/L.P. 4 (Gilbert Snow, Jeffery Stiffarm Jr., Kenneth Blackcrow Jr., Siris Grandchamp); Blocks: Melstone 1 (Thomas DeJaegher), Hays/L.P. 1 (Kenneth Blackcrow Jr.); Fouls: Melstone 21, Hays/L.P. 19; Fouled Out: Ty Kombol (Mel); Technical Fouls: Kyle Young (HLP).

Fairview Warriors 69

Hays/L.P. Thunderbirds 35

Melstone 16 16 19 18 — 69

Hays/L.P. 4 12 11 7 — 35

Fairview: Cody Asbeck 4-14 2-2 10, Josh Herron 3-6 3-4 9, Lak Kloker 0-1 0-0 0, Alex Schriver 11-14 7-8 30, Luke Lebsock 2-3 0-0 4, Paul Hardy 0-0 0-0 0, Kanyon Taylor 1-2 1-2 3, Braiden Taylor 1-3 2-2 4, Jesse Selting0-0 0-0 0, Gerit Johnson 1-4 2-3 4, Brady Buxbaum 2-4 1-3 5. Team Totals 25-51 18-24 69.

Hays/Lodge Pole: Gilbert Snow 3-9 4-5 10, Jeffrey Stiffarm Jr. 2-4 1-1 5, Jeremy Pretty Paint 0-2 0-0 0, Desmond Shambo 1-2 1-1 3, Kenneth Blackcrow Jr. 2-8 1-3 5, Kyle Young Jr. 1-7 0-0 2, Deshon Shambo 0-0 0-0 0, Tyshawn Shambo 1-3 3-6 5, Wyman Bringinggood 2-3 1-3 5, James Brockie 0-1 0-0 0, Lane Kirkaldie 0-1 0-0 0. Team Totals 12-42 11-19 35.

Three Point Field Goals: Fairview 1-7 (Alex Schriver), Hays/L.P. 0-8; Rebounds: Fairview 39 (Josh Herron 8, Brady Buxbaum), Hays/L.P. 24 (Jeremy Pretty Paint 5, Kyle Young 4); Assists: Fairview 4 (Cody Asbeck 3), Hays/L.P. 2 (Gilbert Snow 2); Steals: Fairview 8 (Cody Asbeck 4), Hays/L.P. 7 (Kyle Young 3); Blocks: Fairview 1 (Cody Asbeck), Hays/L.P. 1 (Lane Kirkaldie); Fouls: Fairview 20, Hays/L.P. 22; Fouled Out: None; Technical Fouls: Jeremy Pretty Paint (HLP).

State B Girls Basketball

Special Event Center, Belgrade, MT

Forsyth Dogies 40

Harlem Lady Cats 37

Forsyth 12 10 7 11 — 40

Harlem 6 8 19 4 — 37

Forsyth: Lindsey Hein 11-17 2-3 24, Roxanne Keefer 4-8 4-4 12, Becky Melcher 1-6 0-0 2, Haley Vance 1-2 0-1 2, Jordan Cookman 0-4 0-1 0, Cassy Schiffer 0-0 0-0 0, Austin Brewer 0-0 0-0 0, Heather Blackwell 0-1 0-0 0, Shay Donley 0-1 0-0 0.. Team Totals 17-39 6-9 40.

Harlem: Kristyn Kittson 0-0 0-0 0, Skylee Dirden 4-15 1-2 9, Taya Trottier 0-6 2-2 2, Melony Fetter 2-7 0-0 4, L’Tia Lawrence 9-21 1-3 22, Taeshon Scheaffer 0-0 0-0 0, Aria Owens 0-1 0-0 0. Team Totals 15-50 4-7 37.

Three Point Field Goals: Forsyth 0-0, Harlem 3-16 (L’Tia Lawrence 3); Rebounds: Forsyth: 34 (Roxanne Keefer 8), Harlem 25 (L’Tia Lawrence 7); Assists: Forsyth 6 (Lindsey Hein 3), Harlem 1 (Skylee Dirden); Steals: Forsyth 0, Harlem 10 (Skylee Dirden 4, L’Tia Lawrence 2, Taya Trotter 2); Blocks: Forsyth 1 (Lindsey Hein), Harlem 0; Fouls: Forsyth 9, Harlem 10; Fouled Out: None.

Three Forks Wolves 61

Harlem Lady Cats 40

Three Forks 15 20 16 10 — 61

Harlem 11 7 13 9 — 40

Three Forks: Kinzee Howey 0-0 0-0 0, Lily Joens 0-0 3-6 3, Erin Welter 2-3 0-0 5, Kendall Lynn 4-6 2-3 11, Jayden Woodland 0-0 0-2 0, Mackenzie Feddes 1-1 0-0 2, Keaton Lynn 0-0 0-0 0, Paeton Ohs 1-3 3-4 5, Jasmyn Murphy 0-0 0-0 0, Kyle Olson 9-14 12-14 33, Peyton Page 0-0 0-0 0, Breanna Bloch 1-4 0-1 2. Team Totals 18-31 20-30 61.

Harlem: Kristyn Kittson 1-2 0-0 2, MacKenzie Doney 0-0 0-0 0, Alaynee Hawley 0-0 0-0 0, Taya Trottier 5-12 1-1 12, Skylee Dirden 4-19 4-9 13, Melony Fetter 0-3 0-0 0, L’Tia Lawrence 3-15 1-2 9, Taeshon Scheaffer 0-3 2-2 2, Gabi Bell 0-0 0-0 0, Aria Owens 0-1 0-0 0. Team Totals 14-56 8-14 40.

Three Point Field Goals: Three Forks 5-9 (Kyle Olson 3), Harlem 4-27 (L’Tia Lawrence 2); Rebounds: Three Forks: 37 (Kyle Olson 14), Harlem 21 (L’Tia Lawrence 3); Assists: Three Forks 8 (Kyle Olson 4), Harlem 6 (Skylee Dirden 3); Steals: Three Forks 5 (Kyle Olson 3), Harlem 9 (Skylee Dirden 3, Taya Trotter 2); Blocks: Three Forks 2 (Kyle Olson, Makenzie Freddes), Harlem 0; Fouls: Three Forks 12, Harlem 26; Fouled Out: Skylee Dirden (Har), Taeshon Scheaffer (Har).