We've Got The County Covered
We've Got The County Covered
Hays/Lodge Pole sophomore Alliya Pretty Paint can do it all for the Thunderbirds. Pretty Paint is effective from the perimeter as a shooter, can play inside and is an adept passer. She can play outstanding defense as well for the Thunderbirds.
The Hays/Lodge Pole Thunderbird Varsity Girls Basketball team was in Fort Benton Monday, December 20, looking to pick up a big win over the Longhorns.
The battle for the District 9C Girls title this season is going to be something to watch. Heading into the holiday break there has yet to be a clear cut favorite with as many as six teams being likely contenders for the top spot.
The Thunderbirds are surely in that mix and wins anytime you can get them are huge. Unfortunately the Thunderbirds fell short in Fort Benton, falling 50-45 as a second half rally came up just short.
Hays/Lodge Pole started the contest in a bit of a rut, scoring just six in the opening frame. Sophomore Alliya Pretty Paint knocked down two from the free throw line and scored four while senior Tahtianna Morgan added a basket of her own. The Thunderbirds found themselves in a 13-6 deficit after eight minutes of action.
The offense struggled to gain any traction before the half scoring just one field goal off the hands of Morgan. Hays/Lodge Pole knocked down five of seven from the free throw line but found themselves down 29-13 at the break.
Head Coach Corey Morgan made some halftime adjustments and fired up his team during intermission, providing a spark to start the second half.
The Thunderbirds offense finally started to find its way, slowly cutting into the Longhorn advantage. Senior Jaedyn Chandler spearheaded the third quarter rally as she found her mark from distance. Chandler connected on three long balls from beyond the arc and scored 13 third quarter points.
Pretty Paint added four points in the frame as did sophomore Cassidy Shambo. Hays/Lodge Pole scored 23 points in the third quarter while limiting the Longhorns to just nine.
Looking to complete the comeback the Thunderbirds found themselves down just two, 38-36 at the start of the fourth quarter.
The Thunderbirds expended a lot of energy mounting their third quarter run. Fort Benton converted eight free throws down the stretch to slow the Thunderbird attack and end their comeback hopes.
The Longhorns outscored the Thunderbirds 12-9 the final eight minutes to secure a 50-45 win, dealing Hays/Lodge Pole another tough conference loss.
The Thunderbirds head into the holiday break with an overall record of 4-3. Hays/Lodge Pole currently stand at 1-3 in conference play having suffered three tough losses to Chinook, North Star and Fort Benton. All three of those contests have came on the road.
The Thunderbirds are the only District 9C team yet to play a home game this season. All seven games have been played at neutral sites or at their opponents. Hays/Lodge Pole will be at home in the Thunderdome for seven of their next eight contest. Playing in front of the hometown crowd may be the spark they need to get back in the conference race.
They will return to the court Friday, January 7 when the Turner Tornadoes will come to town.
