By Kody Farmer
BCJ Sports 

Sugarbeeters, Thunderbirds headed to Northern C, Harlem to Northern B

 

Wade Schneider

The Hays/Lodge Pole Thunderbirds, Chinook Sugarbeeters and Harlem Wildcats all advanced to the next round of post season play after getting things done this past weekend.

The Thunderbirds finished second at the District 9C Tournament, falling to the Box Elder Bears in the championship 71-57. The Sugarbeeters topped the North Star Knights 48-24 in the consolation final to finish third. Both teams will advance to the Northern C Divisional being played this Wednesday through Saturday at the Four Seasons Arena in Great Falls. The Wildcats defeated Wolf Point in a District 2B play in game 40-39 and will advance to the Northern B in Cut Bank, March 2-4 as the District 2B number four seed. The Turner tornadoes turned in a valiant effort but their season concluded at the District 9C Saturday morning.

The Thunderbirds went 14-0 in conference play during the regular season and steamrolled through the competition during first round and semifinal action.

In the opener the Thunderbirds raced past the Chester-Joplin -Inverness Hawks 72-33. Hays/Lodge Pole began the contest with 32-9 first quarter and never looked back.

The Thunderbirds extended the advantage to 54-12 by intermission and cruised to the first round win. Senior Tyson Shambo led three players in double figures with 16 points. Senior Frank RunsAbove and junior Davin Main each added 11.

In the semifinal contest the Thunderbirds met the North Star Knights. The Thunderbirds took a 18-8 after eight minutes before kicking the offense into high gear the next eight. Hays/Lodge Pole used a 32-15 second quarter and a 22-6 third quarter to blow open the game, taking a 72-29 lead into the fourth.

With a running clock in effect the scoring slowed down but a 80-36 Thunderbird win was accomplished. Seniors Tyson Shambo and Jace Shambo each tallied 18 points in the win while RunsAbove and junior Chance Main each added 10.

In the Finale the Box Elder Bears jumped out to a big early lead over the Thunderbirds and held a 32-17 advantage at the break.

The Thunderbirds got the offense rolling in the third quarter but were unable to cut into the deficit, trailing 52-36 entering the fourth.

A frantic rally by the Thunderbirds saw them trim the Bear lead to 64-57 with 2:30 left in the game after a steal and layup by junior Lance Strike. That was as close as they would get, falling in the final 71-57.

Strike tallied 15 in the contest while RunsAbove added 14. The Thunderbirds will take a 19-2 record and the District 9C No. 2 seed into a Thursday afternoon contest against the Centerville Miners at the Northern C Divisional. Tip off is set for 9:30 a.m.

The Sugarbeeters blasted the Big Sandy Pioneers in their first round match-up, storming out to a 44-9 lead by intermission and extending the advantage to 57-14 entering the fourth.

Chinook easily secured the win 66-25 to advance to a semi final contest with thew Box Elder Bears Friday evening.

Sophomore Cord Schneider paved the way for the 'Beeter offense while senior Wade Schneider added 10 for the 'Beeters in the win.

The Bears couldn't be stopped early in the semifinal and opened up a comfortable early lead over Chinook leading 36-20 at the break and eventually taking a 77-54 win sending Chinook into a Saturday morning contest against the Fort Benton Longhorns.

The 'Beeters were destined to play Saturday night as they started fast taking a 22-6 lead after one quarter and a 32-11 advantage entering halftime.

Chinook cruised into the consolation final with 59-30 win over the longhorns. The 'Beeters were paced by Wade Schneider's 12 points and Cord Schneider's 10.

Frank RunsAbove

Chinook and North Star battled toe to toe through 16 minutes of the consolation final with Chinook holding a 17-16 lead at the break. The second half was all Chinook as the 'Beeters held the Knights to just 7 points the rest of the way while scoring 32 to double up the Knights on the scoreboard 48-24. Sophomore Isaac Bell tallied 18 in the win and Cord Schneider added 10. The 'Beeters will open play at the Northern C against D/G/S Wednesday afternoon at 5:50 p.m.

The Harlem Wildcats took down the Wolf Point Wolves 40-39 in a play in game at the District 2B in Malta securing their spot at the Northern B in Cut Bank March 2-4./Freshman Brad Cichosz scored 12 and senior Terry Sandcrane added 10.

Turner's season came to a end at the District 9C but the Tornadoes did pick up a well deserved 66-61 win over Big Sandy behind the effort of sophomore Cody Welsh's 27 points. Junior Eddie Harmon added 19 for the Tornadoes.

 
 

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