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

The Chinook Sugarbeeters have gotten off to a great start this season, but last Tuesday in Chester they ran into a talented Hawks team falling for the first time 76-53.

Chester J-I was looking to atone for three losses to the 'Beeters a season ago as Chinook ended the Hawks season at the district tournament in February.

The 'Beeters are young and trying to work the kinks of new personal out, while the Hawks return nearly the same roster as a season ago.

The Hawks got off to a blistering start outscoring the 'Beeters 27-12 in the opening stanza. The 'Beeters got four points each from junior Kyler Johnson and junior Kyle McMaster in the opening quarter.

The second was eerily similar to the first as the Hawks extended the lead to 47-19 by the halftime break.

Senior Ian McIntosh scored seven of the teams 13 third quarter points as the Hawks maintained a 60-32 lead heading into the fourth quarter.

Chinook was able to get some quality minutes from their younger kids in the final stanza as freshman Issac Bell, Brenden Edwards, James Christiansen and Rylee Kellam saw plenty of court time.

McIntosh finished with 13 points in the contest. Senior Travis Hamilton added 12 and Johnson pitched in 11. Bell finished with seven points and six rebounds in the contest.

The 'Beeters possess plenty of potential and they will use the break to improve and get better as a team.

Hamilton and McIntosh are the senior leaders who have the majority of experience at the varsity level and getting the team to gel as a unit takes some time when so many new pieces are being added.

Juniors Kyler Johnson, Kyle McMaster and Robert Smith have stepped in nicely and are learning their rolls and making solid contributions.

The potential for a strong balanced attack is there as well. Bell and fellow freshman Cord Schneider have shown an ability to make an impact at either the four or five position and both possess solid passing games and the ability to get out and run.

Freshman Brenden Edwards has knocked down a pair of triples in his limited action while freshman Rylee Kellam and James Christiansen have made strides after their addition to the roster the final two games before the break.

The 'Beeters will return to the court January 5 when they host the Box Elder Bears in another tough District 9C contest.

The boys will travel to Harlem on January 8 to face the Wildcats and return home the following night for a contest with the Turner Tornadoes.