Thunderbird players share thoughts on making it to the State C Tournament

 

March 8, 2017

Randy Perez

As the Hays/Lodge Pole Thunderbirds prepared to head to Bozeman this week to take part in the Montana Class C State Boys Basketball tournament they will be representing the District 9C, The Northern C, the communities of Hays and Lodge Pole as well as Blaine County and the Hi-Line.

When a team makes it as far as the Thunderbirds have the enormity of it all can have an effect on people. All 15 players and alternates were asked about their feelings of representing so much while in Bozeman, here are their responses:

Tough Snow - "I'm glad we made it out of Divisionals. We've never made it out before but it's nice to have all the hard work payoff and make it ot state.

Jace Shambo - "It means a lot to play with my friends especially and to have all the work pay off means a lot."

Elijah Blackcrow - "It really means a lot. It's my last year and to make it to state playing with my brothers means a lot. To have everyones support, it's really a nice experience."

Tyson Shambo - "It's just been fun, it's great to bring that feeling back. Box Elders had it lately and to have that feeling back in Hays, it's fun, just fun. Having that support is great and to be able to put Hays back on the map again."

"I've been working hard, Sterling (Whitecow) got me working hard and my games progressed because of it. It's been good coming into that leadership role and keeping the team on the right track, doing what everyones supposed to do and it culminated in a state tournament."

"It means a lot to the community, I want the young kids to look up to me and pass that on to the next generation and to be a role model for them means a lot. I don't want to be just a good basketball player, I want to be a good person and go down the right path.

Desmond Shambo - "I think it's pretty cool, not many people get the opportunity and to experience it as a young man is awesome."

Lance Strike - "Really great, I believe we have a chance to win state."

Kyle Young Jr. - "I'm thankful for the opportunity. I want to try to help bring the championship back for the community and help bring us all together. I want to represent the District 9C, because it's a really tough District and to be representing it feels pretty good."

Frank RunsAbove - "I feel really happy and satisfied to be able to represent the 9C, the Northern C and especially my community and represent what we are all about. My mom, dad, coaches, teachers have put in a lot of time and effort and I want to reward them with great effort."

Randy Perez

Brian Wing Jr. - "It's an honor to represent the 9C because I honestly think it's the toughest and to come out of it is a honor and to win the Northern C and get those Box Elder Bears is great. They've had our number but we got them at the Northern C and to have that Thunderbird represented is an honor and bring that culture to the tournament."

David Main - "Very exciting, the last team to do that was back in 2007. It's my first time going, it should be fun."

Ryle Foote - "It's my first year here, the pride and fan base is way more than in Colestrip, it's more of a family here and to be able to represent your tribe at the State C is an honor."

Colten Werk - "I just feel thankful, proud that we went this far. It's been 10 years and I'm proud to represent the communities and the 9C at the state tournament."

Chance Maine - "It's an honor to represent the Northern C, it's the toughest division. The fans, they come out every game no matter how far away it is. It's a honor to represent the communities."

 
 

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