We've Got The County Covered
The 'Beeters returned to the court for the first time in the new year this past Tuesday when they hosted the Chester/Joplin-Inverness Hawks. The 'Beeters fell to the Hawks 58-32. Chinook bounced back in a big way collecting a 56-47 win in Harlem against the Wildcats Friday night and a 53-45 win at home Saturday night against the Turner Tornadoes to pick up their first two wins of the season.
Tuesday night against the Hawks the 'Beeters struggled to get anything going and trailed 16-3 at the end of the first quarter. Things didn't get much better in quarter number two as Chester/J-I opened up a 27-7 halftime lead. The Hawks extended the margin to 40-14 by the end of three and coasted to a 58-32 win over the 'Beeters
Chinook was led offensively in the contest by senior Braxton Inman with 10 points, nine coming in the fourth quarter. Senior Brenden Fetter and Sophomore Carson Nissen each scored eight for the 'Beeters
Friday the 'Beeters were in the Jungle to take on the Harlem Wildcats in a game where both teams were looking to pick up their first win on the season. Both teams had their offense going early. The 'Beeters scored two points right away as the game began with Fetter knocking down a pair of free throws to give Chinook a quick 2-0 lead. Wildcat senior Tommy Champagne hit from distance to put Harlem on top for the first time 3-2. Champagne later added a free throw to give Harlem an 12-11 advantage with 2:16 left in the quarter. Sophomore Carson Nissen knocked down a pair of free throws late in the quarter to give Chinook a 18-16 lead heading into the second quarter.
Wildcat freshman Matt Billmayer evened the score at 18-18 with a quick basket. Harlem took a 22-20 lead following a basket from senior Moses Lawrence. Fetter responded with a clean path to the basket for a thunderous one handed slam. Senior Levi Jensen scored inside moments later for a 26-22 'Beeter lead.
Chinook started the second half up 32-27 and Fetter quickly added to it. A steal and an old fashioned three point play for a 35-27 lead. The 'Beeters steadied the flow of the contest and maintained their advantage the remainder of the contest. The 'Beeters led 45-35 heading into the fourth quarter en route to a 56-47 win.
The Sugarbeeters got a huge effort from Fetter with 29 points on the night to lead all scorers. Senior Flint Annis added 14 points in the win and Nissen seven. Lawrence led the Wildcats with 12 in the contest, Billmayer finished with eight.
Saturday the Tornadoes jumped out to a quick 5-0 lead following a three point bomb from junior Ryan Doyle and basket inside from sophomore Caleb Zellmer. The 'Beeters quickly responded and held a 10-7 lead following a pair of free throws from Fetter.
Chinook held a slim 10-9 advantage to start the second quarter. Turner soon regained the lead but an offensive rebound by junior Jackson Nordboe for a bucket evened the contest at 14-14. Sophomore Carson Maloney gave the Tornadoes a 23-18 lead with a 16' jumper. Inman made a great pass to a cutting Nissen for a basket sending the teams to halftime with Turner on top 23-20.
The Tornadoes held a 29-22 lead after a Zellmer three point bomb, but the Sugarbeeters responded in a big way. Inman and Fetter both scored fast break buckets and following a shot clock violation by the Tornadoes, Nordboe gave the 'Beeters a 34-33 lead with a nice low post move for a score.
Doyle found senior Charlie Calvert down low to bring Turner within two, 47-45. The 'Beeters finished in a flurry scoring six straight points. Fetter dropped in a pair of free throws and finished a 'Beeter break, Nissen capped the scoring with a short jumper to secure a 53-45 win over the Tornadoes
Chinook was led in the night once more by Fetter with 19 points. Nordboe added 14 points of his own. Inman and Annis each scored six. The Tornadoes were paced offensively by Zellmer with 14, Doyle with 12 and Maloney with 10.
Chinook improves to 2-2 in District 9C play and 2-5 overall. The 'Beeters have shown steady improvement all season long and will look to carry their momentum into this weeks contests. This Friday the boys will be in Gildford to take on the North Star Knights, Saturday they will host the Fort Benton Longhorns.