The Blaine County Journal News-Opinion - We've Got The County Covered

The Northern C Divisional boys semifinal round was filled with three representatives from the District 9C. The Box Elder Bears challenged the Belt Huskies in the first semifinal while the second featured the Hays/Lodge Pole Thunderbirds and the Chinook Sugarbeeters.

The Thunderbirds turned a narrow three-point halftime lead into a 88-71 win over the Sugarbeeters to advance to the Northern C final against a familiar Box Elder Bear team Saturday night.

The Thunderbirds entered the Northern C as the districts number two seed and the Sugarbeeters the number three. The two teams met twice during the regular season with both contest going the way of the Thunderbirds.

Hays/Lodge Pole is a savvy veteran group with a rotation that features five seniors three juniors and a sophomore playing the bulk of the minutes.

The Sugarbeeters lean on a trio of seniors to keep things in check while out on the court but the roster is loaded with sophomores, and a freshman making solid contributions to the teams success.

A full house witnessed a Thunderbird squad that has certainly paid their dues in previous trips to the divisional tournament and whose time is now, take on a Sugarbeeter team that may be just getting started on the road to something special.

Hays/Lodge Pole senior Frank RunsAbove began the game on fire scoring eight of his teams first 10 points, helping the Thunderbirds take a early 12-8 lead. Chinook sophomore Cord Schneider found a cutting Isaac Bell for a deuce to bring Chinook back within two, 12-10.

The pace was fast and furious early and following a triple by Thunderbird senior Jace Shambo the Hays/Lodge Pole lead expanded to 15-10.

'Beeter sophomore Trajan Hannum took a inbound pass in the corner and knocked down a long three of his own to cut the lead in half. Bell quickly followed with a nice bucket trimming the margin to 18-17 in favor of the Thunderbirds.

The Thunderbirds went on a 6-0 run capped off by a steal from junior Lance strike and dish to sophomore Kyle Young Jr. to take a 24-17 lead late in the first quarter.

RunsAbove pushed the lead to 30-21 with a bucket at the 7:15 mark of the second quarter and extended it to 33-22 with a old fashioned three point play moments later.

Just when it appeared the Thunderbirds were poised to take the game over Chinook responded with a deep three from sophomore Brendan

Edwards, a bucket from freshman Hunter Neibauer and another bomb from Edwards to close the deficit to 36-30 at the 3:43 mark of the second.

RunsAbove scored again to give the Thunderbirds a 39-33 lead but the Sugarbeeters again had a answer. Neibauer converted at the rim and sophomore James Christensen connected from the charity stripe before finding senior Wade Schneider underneath the basket. Schneider would drain a pair of free throws cutting the Thunderbird lead back to one at 39-38.

Hays/Lodge Pole scored the final bucket of an electric first half on a nice pass from Strike to RunsAbove to give the Thunderbirds a 41-38 lead at the break. Runs Above played a fantastic first half, blistering the nets for 20 first half points.

Hays/Lodge Pole senior Tyson Shambo showed why he is a All-State performer scoring four quick points to start the quarter and then dishing to Jace Shambo for a easy bucket and a 47-38 lead.

Bell knocked down a elbow jumper to stop the run and keep the 'Beeters close, 47-40. Edwards drained another from beyond the arc, Bell followed with a pair of free throws and Edwards knocked down two from the charity stripe to keep Chinook within five 52-47.

The Thunderbirds offense began to take over near the end of the third quarter and start of the fourth as three point buckets from juniors Chance Main and David Main bookended a Thunderbird run that extended their advantage to 72-56 at the six minute mark.

Randy Perez/Keri Hanson

Hays/Lodge Pole junior David Main attacks the basket Friday evening at the Northern C.

Both teams continued to play fast up and down the court the remainder of the contest, competing every second of a 88-71 Thunderbird victory.

RunsAbove finished the contest with 29 points on 13-21 shooting from the field while also corralling eight rebounds. Tyson Shambo finished with 16 points for the Thunderbirds and Jace Shambo added eight points and five steals.

Bell led the Sugarbeeter attack scoring 18 points on 7-8 shooting from the field and 4-4 from the charity stripe. Edwards finished with 14 including 4-4 from beyond the arc. Cord Schneider added 12 points and four rebounds to the 'Beeter effort.

The win propelled the Thunderbirds (21-2) into the Northern C Championship against District 9C

rival Box Elder. The Sugarbeeters (18-7) headed to a Saturday morning loser out contest with the Heart Butte Warriors.