Harlem, Turner girls each land two on All-State, All-Conference teams

The 2018-19 basketball season was certainly one to remember for the Harlem Lady Cats and the Turner Tornadoes. Harlem advanced to the schools first ever Class B Girls State Tournament and the Tornadoes were playing at the Northern C Divisional for the second year in a row.

When the All-Conference and All-State teams were announced for the District 2B, District 9C, Northern B and Northern C it wasn't at all surprising to see Harlem and Turner well represented.

The Lady Cats had three players named to the District 2B All-Conference teams. Senior Skylee dirden and junior L'Tia Lawrence were named to the first team. Sophomore Melonie Fetter was listed on the second team.

The Lady Cats had a fantastic season that saw them achieve many firsts. They finished the regular season at 15-3, splitting a pair of games with eventual State Champion Wolf Point, to claim the Conference championship.

The Lady Cats would finish second at the District 2B Tournament to Wolf Point. A week later they would turn the tables on the Wolves and capture their first ever Northern B title and advance to the state tournament for the first time in school history.

Senior Skylee Dirden scored Harlem's first ever point at the state tournament on a free throw in the first quarter. Dirden has been a huge part of the success they have had the past four years and was recognized for her efforts by being named to the Northern B All-State team.

Joining Dirden on the All-State team is Lawrence. L'Tia earned All-State honors her sophomore year as well. The two formed a powerful duo of scoring, defense and leadership on and off the court that allowed the Lady Cats to compete very well as a team.

Dirden and Lawrence have helped bring the Lady Cats from the bottom of the District 2B to the top in just three years.

The Turner Tornadoes have also worked their way to the top of the district 9C over the past few years and nearly knocked off eventual state champion Box Elder in the semifinal of the Northern C last month.

Pacing the way for the Tornadoes was junior Sarah Billmayer. Billmayer earned First Team All-Conference recognition for the second year in a row and was also named to the Northern C All-State team.

Joining Billmayer on the District 9C First Team is sophomore Shyan Krass. It is the second time Krass was recognized for her efforts on the court as she was named to the 2nd Team as a freshman. Krass, one of the premier post players in the Northern C was also named to the All-State team this year.

Billmayer and Krass gave the Tornadoes a powerful inside out combination that made things difficult for opponents while opening up opportunities for teammates.

Also earning post season recognition is Turner senior Melanie Watkins. Her name was found on the District 9C 2nd Team.

The Hays/Lodge Thunderbirds were represented by junior Muleeah Stiffarm. Following a campaign that saw her lead the Thunderbirds in scoring and rebounding Stiffarm was named 2nd Team All-Conference. This is the second time Stiffarm has been recognized for her efforts on the court, earning 2nd team honors a season ago.

The Chinook Sugarbeeters were represented by senior Kourtney Hanson. Hanson earned 2nd Team All-Conference honors and led the 'Beeters in scoring and rebounding.

Congratulations to all of our student - athletes that were recognized for their efforts on the court. It was a great year, some will graduate and others will return, but one thing is for sure. We can all look forward to another great season next winter.

District 9C Girls All Conference

First Team

Joelnell Momberg Box Elder 11

Aspen Giese Fort Benton 10

Lilly Gopher Box Elder 12

Leah Gannon Fort Benton 12

Shyan Krass Turner 10

Sarah Billmayer Turner 11

Paij Peterson North Star 12

Mackenzie Clark Fort Benton 11

2nd Team

Kyla Momberg Box Elder 09

Malleeah Stiffarm Hays/LP 11

Kourtney Hanson Chinook 12

Maddie Wolf Chief Box Elder 12

Maci Mollinario Fort Benton 10

Melanie Watkins Turner 12

Sarah Parisian Box Elder 11

Jade Wendland North Star 09

All State

Brianna Bergum Tri-City 12

Sarah Billmayer Turner 11

Dyauni Boyce Roy Winifred 11

Sydney Browning Winnett-Grass Range 12

Morgan Cooper Belt 12

Aspen Giese Fort Benton 10

Lilly Gopher Box Elder 12

Madeline Hegemony Roy-Winifred 09

Shyan Krass Turner 10

Joelnell Momberg Box Elder 11

Kolby Pimperton Belt 11

Kristen Vincent Tri-City 12

Girls District 2B basketball

First Team

Imani Bighorn Wolf Point 12

Kelbee Denham Malta 11

Skylee Dirden Harlem 12

Keely Fossum Glasgow 11

Mya Fourstar Wolf Point 11

L'Tia Lawrence Harlem 11

Second Team

Chloe Belton Poplar 11

Mary Bighorn Wolf Point 12

Melony Fetter Harlem 10

Kloie Marks Malta 12

Taylor Pederson Glasgow 11

Semarah Wells Wolf Point 12

Allstate

Imani Bighorn Wolf Point 12

Kelbee Denham Malta 11

Skylee Dirden Harlem 12

L'Tia Lawrence Harlem 11