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

The basketball season has turned the corner and teams are meeting for the second time as the conference schedules wind down.

The Harlem Ladycats maintained their position atop the District 2B standings after completing season sweeps over Malta 48-32 and Wolf Point 41-40 this past weekend.

Hays/Lodge Pole defeated Chinook for the second time this season. Saturday the 'Beeters topped Big Sandy 41-20 while Turner split their season series with North Star falling 44-34 at home Friday, Saturday the Tornadoes were defeated by the Fort Benton Longhorns 66-41.

Harlem junior Autumn Eagleman knocked down two from beyond the arc early as the Ladycats opened a 15-3 lead after eight minutes.

Harlem continued to expand their lead in the second quarter as sophomore L'Tia Lawrence scored six points in helping her team take a 28-8 lead into intermission.

The Ladycats coasted to a 48-32 win over the M-ettes, completing the season sweep for the first time in many, many years.

Saturday the Ladycats were back on the road as they visited the Wolf Point Wolves while again looking to complete the season sweep.

In a back and forth first quarter Harlem held a 13-11 lead. They would give it back in the second after being outscored 12-8 to trail 23-21 at halftime.

Senior Payton Healy dropped in a triple as did sophomore Taeshon Schaeffer in the third quarter but Wolf Point still managed to hold a 34-31 advantage heading into the fourth quarter.

Healy buried another from long range and Lawrence added one of her own in helping the Ladycats earn another come from behind win 41-40.

Healy and Lawrence each tallied 11 in the win while senior Mystic Striker added 10. Harlem improves to 5-0 in District 2B play and 11-1 overall.

Thursday the Hays/Lodge Pole Thunderbirds jumped out to a 7-1 lead as sophomore Mulleeah Stiffarm handled all the scoring.

Chinook junior Kourtney Hanson scored inside and began a 13-0 'Beeter run that concluded with free throw from junior Ashley MacLeod to give Chinook a 14-7 lead.

Junior Megan Molyneaux scored at the buzzer to give Chinook a 19-11 halftime lead.

The Thunderbirds scored six straight to begin the third to close within 19-17.

Freshman Ella Messerly brought the Thunderbirds within two 29-27 with a pair of free throws to end the third quarter.

Stiffarm then found junior Tahlia Werk for two points to even the score at 29-29 with 6:45 remaining. Sophomore Sheraya Boushie scored off an offensive rebound to give the Thunderbirds a 37-33 lead late in the contest.

Hays/Lodge Pole would complete the season sweep with a 37-36 win. Stiffarm played an incredible game for the Thunderbirds, scoring 28 of the teams 37 points. Chinook was led by senior Hailey McMaster's eight point effort.

Saturday the Sugarbeeters would turn the trick on the Big Sandy Pioneers.

Senior Sierra Swank completed a fast break for a 11-4 Chinook lead. Senior Jaye Anderson converted a free throw into a 16-7 advantage.

Just before the half Chinook extended their lead to 18-7 following a pair of free throws from senior Erin Pula.

Big Sandy closed to within seven, 22-15 early in the third quarter. The 'Beeters the rattled off nine straight culminating with a layup from McMaster.

Hays/Lodge Pole sophomore Mulleeah Stiffarm torched the nets for 28 points Friday in the Thunderbirds 37-36 win over Chinook Friday.

Chinook picked up a 41-20 win over the Pioneers and were led by senior Carrie Hofer's 12 points. Swank added 11 in the Sugarbeeter win.

Turner led the North Star Knights 11-6 after one quarter and 25-11 at the intermission but a big second half from the visitors saw Turner fall 44-34 Friday night. Sophomore Sarah Billmayer led the Tornadoes with nine points.

Saturday in Fort Benton the Tornadoes played the Longhorns tough early trailing 30-22 at the break.

The Longhorns used a big third quarter to open up a 54-31 lead and cruised to a 66-41 win over the Tornadoes. Freshman Shyan Krass led the Turner attack with 13 points.

Saturday the Hays/Lodge Pole Thunderbirds trailed the Chester/J-I Hawks 17-10 after eight minutes and 37-19 at the break before falling 67-42.

Sophomore Mulleeah Stiffarm and freshman Elle Messerly each tallied 17 markers in the contest.