'Beeters land three on All-State list, Hays/L.P. has two and Turner one

What a great season of basketball for Blaine County fans. The Chinook Sugarbeeters blistered their way through the District 9C, the Northern C and advanced to the state tournament for the first time in 33 years. The Hays/Lodge Pole Thunderbirds turned more than a few heads and advance to the state tournament for the second time in three years.

The Harlem Wildcats and Turner Tornadoes didn't win as much as they would have liked but still experienced some outstanding efforts throughout the season.

The Sugarbeeters were well recognized when the post season awards were handed out. Making the Northern C All-State team for the third time was senior Cord Schneider. Joining him for the second time on the Northern C All-State team is senior Isaac Bell. For the first time junior Hunter Neibauer was recognized for his efforts giving the 'Beeters three All-State athletes.

The Thunderbirds were also represented on the Northern C All-State list. Senior Kyle Young Jr. and senior Gilbert Snow were each honored for the first time. Turner senior Cody Welsh was also named to the Northern C All-State team for his efforts on the court.

Schneider and Bell helped the Sugarbeeters capture the Northern C for the first time in school history and have been an integral part of the 'Beeter success during their tenure.

Both were named to the District 9C All-Conference team for the fourth year in a row. They are the first Sugarbeeter boys to achieve the feat. Schneider was named to the first team for the third time.

Schneider and Bell have done it all for the 'Beeters. They could score in the paint, from beyond the arc, attacking the basket and both were very adept in the passing game. Defensively they could control the paint and force turnovers as well as block shots, crash the boards and turn steals into lay-ups.

Neibauer has become a standout defense stopper that can score, rebound and pass as well. As such his efforts on the court were rewarded with a District 9C 1st Team selection.

Senior Trajan Hannum was the fourth Sugarbeeter to be named to the All-Conference list, receiving second team honors.

The Thunderbirds weren't given much of a shot to make the state tournament to begin the season, but on the shoulders of Young and Snow they made it happen.

Both Young and Snow were integral in the Thunderbird success. When either one was out with an illness or an injury it showed. They were leaders for the Thunderbirds on the court and more often than not came up with a big play when the team needed one the most.

Young was a standout defender who could score going to the basket or beyond the arc. Snow had a knack for scoring in bunches and was a solid passer and ball handler for the team.

Senior Jeremy Pretty Paint also received post season recognition for the Thunderbirds, being named to the District 9C 2nd Team for the first time.

Turner senior Cody Welsh has been lightning in a bottle for the Tornadoes during his four years on the court. Welsh often put up huge numbers, crossing the 30 point plateau on numerous occasions.

When Welsh wasn't available the Tornadoes struggled to outscore opponents. Unable to play do to an ankle injury, his absence put the Tornadoes in a bit of a hole for a few weeks. His return immediately sparked the team to a number of big wins as they finished the season strong.

The Harlem Wildcats were a very young team and often started as many as three freshman during their varsity contests. Make no mistake about it, the Wildcats were still competitive.

Harlem senior Lane Allen did a fantastic job for the team this season and was instrumental in the teams growth during the season and helped mold the younger players along the way.

For his efforts Allen was named to the District 2B All-Conference First Team.

Joining Allen on the All-Conference Team was freshman R.J. Ramone. In his first game of the season he tossed in 34 points, including eight three-point bombs against Cut Bank. Ramone was named to the District 2B All-Conference 2nd Team.

Congratulations to all of our Blaine County Student Athletes that received recognition for their efforts on the court. Some will graduate and some will return next winter. It will be exciting to watch them compete again.

District 9C Boys All Conference

First Team

Cord Schneider Chinook 12

Garett Diekhans Fort Benton 12

Isaac Bell Chinook 12

Cody Welsh Turner 12

Kyle Young Jr Hays/LP 12

Hayden Diekhans Fort Benton 10

Hunter Neibauer Chinook 11

Gilbert Snow Hays/LP 12

2nd Team

Caden Rettig North Star 11

Brock Proulx Big Sandy 11

Jeremy Pretty Paint Hays/LP 12

Ryan Roth Big Sandy 11

Trajan Hannum Chinook 12

Damon Bird Fort Benton 12

Tyler Wanken Chester/J-I 12

Chris Burns Box Elder 12

All State

Noah Ambeuhl Great Falls Central 12

Isaac Bell Chinook 12

Garett Diekhans Fort Benton 11

Hayden Diekhans Fort Benton 10

Hunter Neibauer Chinook 11

Cord Schneider Chinook 12

Gilbert Snow Hays/LP 12

Zane Stahl Winnett-Grass Range 12

Justin Stulc Roy-Winifred 10

Cody Welsh Turner 12

Brendan Wing Belt 12

Kyle Young Jr. Hays/LP 12

Boys District 2B basketball

First Team

Lane Allen Harlem 12

Chevy Boos Glasgow 12

Darryl Joe Poplar 12

Tanner Smith Malta 11

Kenny Smoker Poplar 12

Joseph Williamson Wolf Point 12

Second Team

Alec Boland Glasgow 11

Kevin Henry Malta 12

Logan Heser Wolf Point 12

Wilfred Lambert Poplar 10

Wynn Main Poplar 12

RJ Ramone Harlem 09

Allstate

Darryl Joe Poplar 12

Kenny Smoker Poplar 12

Joseph Williamson Wolf Point 12