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

The regular season has concluded for our four Blaine County high school boys teams and now the focus turns to the District Tournaments which begin today for the District 9C, and tomorrow for the District 2B

The Sugarbeeters capped the final week of the regular season with a trio of wins to secure the top spot at the District Tournament. They began the week with a 72-57 win over the Turner Tornadoes, they then added a 69-43 win over the second seeded North Star Knights on Friday.

Saturday saw the Sugarbeeters cap an undefeated conference schedule (14-0) with their closest contest of the season a 48-46 win over the Fort Benton Longhorns.

The Hays/Lodge Pole Thunderbirds concluded the District 9C schedule with a 10-4 mark following a pair of victories over Fort Benton 57-56 and Box Elder 81-68. The Thunderbirds will take the No. 3 seed into the tournament.

The Turner Tornadoes had a solid week on the hardwood and have one five of six entering the post season. The Tornadoes only setback came against Chinook on Tuesday but rebounded with wins over Box Elder 61-58 on Friday and Big Sandy 85-55 on Monday. Turner will be the No. 5 seed at the District 9C Tournament.

The Harlem Wildcats fell in both contest over the weekend beginning with a 85-45 setback to the Shelby Coyotes. Saturday Harlem fell to the Poplar Indians 64-59 and will be the No. 5 seed at the District 2B Tournament in Wolf Point.

The Chinook Sugarbeeters looked to secure the District 9C regular season crown when they faced the Turner Tornadoes in a rescheduled game last Tuesday.

Turner senior Eddie Harmon was prepared to make the 'Beeters earn it early as he connected twice from beyond the arc and scored Turners first ten points. Only problem was junior Riley Kellam and junior Cord Schneider each scored four points and junior Isaac Bell added another score making the score 10-10 early on.

Bell would give Chinook a 20-17 lead at the end of the first quarter and the connected from long range to start the second with a triple.

Bell knocked down three more three point bombs in the quarter and Schneider added five points to help the Sugarbeeters push the lead to 45-26 by intermission.

Chinook maintained the advantage throughout much of the second half before securing a 72-57 win.

Schneider and Bell each finished with 22 in the win while Harmon scored 19 for Turner and junior Cody Welsh added 20.

Chinook then took on the No. 2 seed North Star Knights Friday in Gildford, a back and forth opening quarter. Schneider scored four early points but the Sugarbeeters found themselves down 8-7. Freshman Ethan Bell scored a bucket and junior James Christensen took a charge leading to a three point bomb from Ethan and a 12-8 Chinook lead.

The 'Beeters extended their advantage to 16-10 following bucket by Schneider.

Isaac Bell found Schneider inside for an easy basket and Ethan Bell closed out the first half with his second triple as Chinook led 32-21 at the break and never looked back in a 69-43 win over the Knights.

Schneider led the 'Beeter attack with 21 points in the win. Isaac Bell added 18, and Ethan 13 for the Sugarbeeters.

Saturday the 'Beeters were home to close out the regular season against the Fort Benton Longhorns.

Chinook trailed after the first quarter for the first time all season 10-7 but were able to even things in the second quarter sending the teams to halftime tied at 19.

The Longhorns would hold the lead after three quarters 34-32 but this Sugarbeeter team always seems to find a way.

Schneider scored the first four points of the fourth and junior Brendan Edwards converted an offensive rebound into points. Moments later Edwards added a bank three to give Chinook a five point lead 43-38.

Junior Riley Kellam scored twice inside and suddenly the lead was ten, 48-38.

Fort Benton had been in four contest decided by one point and weren't going away. The Longhorns scored eight straight to close within 48-46 but Kellam was able to secure the inbound with:03.7 left on the clock to secure the win.

Schneider led the way with 18 points and Kellam added 14.

Turner secured the No. 5 seed with a 85-55 win over the Big Sandy Pioneers on Monday.

Harmon drained five from beyond the arc and totaled 30 points in the win, and Welsh added 28 for the Tornadoes.

In the opening game of the District 9C tournament it will be the No. 1 Seed Sugarbeeters (17-1, 14-0) against the Big Sandy Pioneers (3-15, 2-12), the tournaments No. 8 Seed, at 1:00 p.m.

In the first match of the evening session the No. 3 Seed Hays/Lodge Pole Thunderbirds will open against the Box Elder Bears (5-13, 3-11). Tip off is set for tonight at 6:00 p.m.

The fifth seeded Turner Tornadoes (8-10, 6-8) will take on the fourth seeded Fort Benton Longhorns (9-9, 8-6) after the conclusion of the Sugarbeeter, Pioneer game.

The other opening round game of the boys tournament will pit the second seeded North Star Knights (15-3, 11-3) against the seventh seeded Chester-Joplin-Inverness Hawks (2-16, 2-12).

The winners of each first round game will advance to the semifinals Thursday night. The boys championship and consolation finals are set for Friday evening. The top three teams will advance to the Northern C Divisional in Great Falls February 21-24.

In the District 2B the Harlem Wildcats enter as the No. 5 seed and will take on the No. 4 seed Glasgow Scotties in a play in game. Tip off is scheduled for Thursday, February 15, 8:00 p.m. at the Wolf Point High School Gymnasium.

The Wildcats game with the Scotties is an all or nothing contest with the loser seeing their season come to an end and the winner advancing in the District Tournament as well as qualifying for the Northern B Divisional the following week in Glasgow.

Boys Basketball Box Scores

Chinook 72 Turner 57

Chinook 20 25 13 14 - 72

Turner 17 9 11 20 - 57

Chinook: Isaac Bell 8 0-0 22, Ethan Bell 2 6-7 10, James Christensen 2 2-3 6, Reese Elliot 2 0-0 4, Riley Kellam 3 0-0 6, Brendan Edwards 2 0-0 4, Cord Schneider 8 6-6 22, Erik Pula 0 0-2 0. Team Totals 247 14-18 72.

Turner: Austin Welsh 1 2-4 5, Kurt Calvert 0 2-2 2, Cody Welsh 7 4-8 20, Shane Kimmel 2 0-0 5, Eddie Harmon 7 2-2 19, Tracer Heilig 2 2-2 6. Team Totals 19 12-18 57.

Three Point - Chinook 4 (Isaac Bell 4), Turner 7 (Cody Welsh 2, Shane Kimmel 1, Eddie Harmon 3, Austin Welsh 1) Total Fouls - Chinook 17, Turner 18; Fouled Out - Eddie Harmon-Turner.

Hays/Lodge Pole 57 Fort Benton 56

Fort Benton 12 13 19 12 - 56

Hays/L.P. 14 15 14 14 - 57

Fort Benton: Andy Giles 11, Damon Bird 7, Logan Giles 9, Garett Diekhans 19, Hayden Diekhans 5, Max Lane 4, Jace Pimperton 0, Gannon 1. Team Totals N/A.

Hays/L.P.: Moke Cliff 9, Michael Ball 2, Kenneth Blackcrow 9, Siris Grandchamp 0, Damian Bradley 0, Jeff Stiffarm 8, David Main 12, James Brockie 0, Chance Main 17. Team Totals N/A.

Shelby 85, Harlem 45

Harlem 10 13 13 9 - 45

Shelby 25 26 17 17 - 85

Harlem: Taggert Devaney 11, Jamaual Main 2, Desmond Shambo 4, Kyle Young Jr. 7, Lane Allen 4, Brad Cichosz 6, Ryle Foote 8, Lance Little Plume 3.

Shelby: TJ Reynolds 28, Aaron White 21, Kade Leck 11, Logan Watson 5, Ryan Van Tine 6, Wesley Caffery 1, Macaser McAllister 11, Tucker Tustian 2.

Chinook 69 North Star 43

Chinook 16 16 21 16 - 69

North Star 10 11 14 8 - 43

Chinook: Isaac Bell 6 4-4 18, Ethan Bell 5 1-1 13, Damon Hannum 0 0-0 0, James Christensen 0 0-0 0, Jacob Huckabee 0 0-0 0, Reece Elliot 1 0-0 2, Riley Kellam 1 2-5 4, Brendan Edwards 5 1-3 11, Cord Schneider 9 3-5 21. Team Totals 27 11-18 69.

North Star: Austin Hansen 1 0-0 2, Dylan Miller 4 6-7 14, Dane Miller 0 0-0 0, Caden Rettig 3 0-0 9, Brody Wendeln 0 0-0 0, Payne Ditmar 1 0-0 3, Hayden Massar 0 0-0 0, Devon Miller 3 2-2 8, Thomas Nerat 3 1-3 7. Team Totals 15 9-12 43.

Three Point - Chinook 4 (Isaac Bell 2, Ethan Bell 2), North Star 4 (Caden Rettig 3, Payne Dtmar 1); Total Fouls - Chinook 18, North Star 16; Fouled Out - Chinook (James Christensen).

Turner 61 Box Elder 58

Box Elder 16 24 10 8 - 58

Turner 15 17 11 18 - 61

Box Elder: Nacona Limberhand 4 1-2 11, Kadyn Duran 0 1-2 1, Zander Parisian 2 1-4 5, Chris Burns 5 0-0 11, Jerel Anders 1 0-0 2, Peyton Gardipee 2 1-2 5, Malique Rosette 2 0-0 4, Quintin Limberhand 3 0-0 6, Seth Duran 5 3-4 13. Team Totals 24 7-14 58.

Turner: Austin Welsh 0 0-0 0, Jack Harmon 1 0-2 2, Kurt Calvert 0 1-2 1, Cody Welsh 11 5-5 27, Shane Kimmel 2 2-6 6, Eddie Harmon 2 10-14 15, Tracer Heilig 4 1-2 10. Team Totals 20 1--31 61.

Three Point - Box Elder 3 (Nacona Limberhand 2, Chris Burns 1), Turner 2 (Eddie Harmon 1, Tracer Heilig 1); Total Fouls - Box Elder 25, Turner 12; Fouled Out - Box Elder (Jerel Anders).

Chinook 48 Fort Benton 46

Fort Benton 10 9 15 12 - 46

Chinook 7 12 13 16 - 48

Fort Benton: Andy Giles 1 0-0 2, Damon Bird 5 0-0 12, Logan Giles 3 1-1 7, Garrett Diekhans 5 0-0 10, Hayden Diekhans 5 1-1 12, Max Lane 0 0-0 0, Jace Pimperton 0 0-0 0. Team Totals 20 3-6 46.

Chinook: Isaac Bell 2 3-6 9, Ethan Bell 0 0-2 0, James Christensen 0 0-0 0, Reece Elliot 1 0-0 2, Riley Kellam 6 2-2 14, Brendan Edwards 2 0-1 5, Cord Schneider 9 0-10 18. Team Totals 20 5-11 48.

Three Point - Chinook 3 (Isaac Bell 2, Brendan Edwards 1), Fort Benton 3 (Damon Bird 2, Hayden Diekhans 1); Total Fouls - Chinook 13, Fort Benton 12.

Hays/Lodge Pole 81 Box Elder 68

Hays/L.P. 15 15 18 23 - 81

Box Elder 17 22 9 20 - 68

Hays/L.P.: Moke Cliff 6 0-0 17, Sage Bradley 0 0-0 0, Damian Bradley 1 0-1 3, Jeff Stiffarm 6 5-7 18, Isiah Runsabove 2 0-2 4, David Main 3 4-7 11, Kenneth Blackcrow1 1-3 4, Chance Main 7 8-9 27. Team Totals 26 16-33 81.

Box Elder: Nacona Limberhand 6 8-10 22, Kadyn Duran 4 0-0 11, Chris Burns 3 1-2 8, Jerel Anders 0 0-0 0, Peyton Gardipee 1 2-5 4, Malique Rosette 3 0-0 8, Quintin Limberhand 3 0-0 6, Seth Duran 3 3-4 9. Team Totals 23 14-21 68.

Three Point - Box Elder 8 (Kadyn Duran 3, Nacona Limberhand 2, Malique Rosette 2, Chris Burns 1), Hays/L.P. 9 (Chance Main 3, Moke Cliff 2, Damian Bradley 1, Jeff Stiffarm 1, David Main 1); Total Fouls - Box Elder 26, Hays/L.P. 18; Fouled Out - None.

North Star 63 Big Sandy 43

North Star 16 15 10 22 - 63

Big Sandy 10 15 9 9 - 43

North Star: Austin Hansen 1 0-0 3, Dylan Miller 4 5-10 13, Caden Rettig 3 0-4 11, Brody Wendland 0 0-2 0, Payne Ditmar 2 0-0 4, Hayden Massar 2 3-4 7, Devon Miller 7 8-10 22, Thomas Nerat 0 3-4 3. Team Totals 19 19-34 63.

Big Sandy: Ryan Roth 5 0-0 13, Parker Proulx 1 0-0 2, Tevin Haugen1 0-0 2, Brock Proulx 4 1-3 9, Kade Strutz 6 3-3 17. Team Totals 16 4-6 43.

Three Point - North Star 1 (Caden Rettig 1), Big Sandy 5 ( Ryan Roth 3, Kade Strutz 2); Total Fouls - North Star 9, Big Sandy 23; Fouled Out - Big Sandy (Brock Proulx & Parker Proulx).

Poplar 64 Harlem 59

Harlem 17 19 14 9 - 59

Poplar 15 14 8 27 - 64

Harlem: Samuel Main 3, Desmond Shambo 2, Kyle Young Jr. 10, Lane Allen 9, Brad Cichosz 22, Rule Foote 12, Truth Brockie 1. Team Totals N/A.

Poplar: Kenny Smoker 12, Wynn Main 12, Logan Young 2, Damon Sadler 23, Darryl Joe 13, Dion Jenkins 2. Team Totals N/A.

Big Sandy 52 Chester/Joplin-Inverness 51

Chester/J-I 13 14 9 15 - 51

Big Sandy 14 13 7 18 - 52

Turner junior Cody Welsh looks to attack the Box Elder defense during Fridays 61-58 win. Turner has been hot lately winning five of their last six. Turner enters the District 9C tournament as the No. 5 seed and will face the fourth seeded Fort Benton Longhorns today at 6:00 p.m.

Chester/J-I: Woods 11, Bender 6, Richter 14, Dahinden 8, Wankin 12. Team Totals N/A.

Big Sandy: Ryan Roth 13, Parker Proulx 5, Brady Pleninger 1, Brock Proulx 12, Jeremiah Genereax 1, Strutz 12, Darlington 8. Team Totals N/A.

Turner 85 Big Sandy 55

Big Sandy 11 12 15 17 - 55

Turner 18 18 30 19 - 85

Big Sandy: Ryan Roth 7 2-4 18, Parker Proulx 0 0-0 0, Elijah Wagoner 2 0-0 5, Tevin Haugen 1 0-0 3, Brock Proulx 7 2-4 16, Kade Strutz 4 0-2 8, Clint Darlington 1 3-4 5. Team Totals 22 7-14 55.

Turner: Austin Welsh 0 2-2 2, Jack Harmon 2 1-2 5, Kurt Calvert 1 0-0 2, Trevor Kimmel 0 1-2 1, Cody Welsh 12 3-5 28, Shane Kimmel 4 0-0 10, Eddie Harmon 9 7-10 30, Tracer Heilig 2 2-2 6. Team Totals 30 17-25 80.

Three Point - Big Sandy 4 ( Ryan Roth 2, Elijah Wagoner 1, Tevin Haugen 1); Turner 8 (Eddie Harmon 5, Shane Kimmel 2, Cody Welsh 1) Total Fouls - Big Sandy 21, Turner 15; Fouled Out - Turner (Shane Kimmel).