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

The Turner Tornadoes are off to there best start in school history after picking up a resounding 73-44 win over the Hays/Lodge Pole Thunderbirds and there first every win over the Chinook Sugarbeeters 41-33 to improve to 6-1 on the season.

The Harlem Wildcats also picked up a huge win, topping Chinook 42-33 for there first over the 'Beeters since they were conference foes in the class B ranks. The Wildcats also fell to the Malta M-ettes 63-31 and the Glasgow Scotties 46-26 to fall to 4-3 on the season

Chinook and Hays/Lodge Pole both competed hard on the court but were unable to find the win column. The 'Beeters fall to 4-4 on the season while the Thunderbirds record now stands at 3-5.

Turner Took control of their contest against the Thunderbirds with a huge third quarter outscoring Hays/Lodge Pole 23-8 to turn a slim 33-32 halftime lead into a comfortable 56-40 advantage heading into the fourth quarter.

Turner closed out the contest with a 17-4 run to secure the 73-44 victory. Senior Ella Billmayer paced the Tornado effort with 23 points in the contest. Sophomore Raegan Conlan added 17 markers and senior Rennay Watkins patrolled the paint for 11 points.

Saturday Turner hosted Chinook looking for a huge win in District 9C play.

Defense was the name of the game early as both offenses struggled to find open space. Turner controlled the scoreboard 5-4 entering the second quarter.

Sophomore Rylee Conlan's three point bomb put Turner on top 10-7 and was quickly followed by two free throws and a trifecta from freshman Sarah Billmayer to stretch the lead to 15-8.

Turner held a 23-14 advantage entering the third quarter but a basket from Chinook senior Brook Elliot followed by layup from junior Carrie Hofer and jumper from junior Sierra Swank the game was all square at 30-30.

Watkins quickly responded by scoring on the Tornadoes next possession to give Turner back the lead for good.

Raegan, Rylee and sophomore Melanie Watkins each went 2-2 from the charity stripe down the stretch as Turner converted 7-8 free throws to close out the 41-33 win.

Raegan Conlan finished with a game high 11 points, Rylee Conlan added nine while Ella and Sara Billmayer each contributed seven in the win.

For Chinook Elliot finished the contest with 13 points while Swank and Hofer each added seven.

The Wildcats bounced back from a tough loss to the Malta M-ettes Tuesday afternoon with a thrilling non-conference win over the Chinook Sugarbeeters Friday evening.

Sophomore Skylee Dirden took a nice pass from freshman L'Tia Lawrence for a easy basket and a 7-5 Harlem lead early.

Lawrence would again find Dirden moments later on the break for another bucket and a 9-5 lead.

Wildcat freshman Kailey Henry made a nice steal and converted it into a layup for a 11-5 Harlem advantage after eight minutes of action.

Randy Perez

Harlem freshman Kailee Henry has had a outstanding season thus far. Friday Henry scored 21 points to help her team to a 42-33 win in Chinook.

Harlem maintained the advantage throughout the remainder of the first half and held a 24-14 advantage at the break.

The Sugarbeeters responded with baskets from Elliot, junior Erin Pula and a three point bomb from Swank to trip the lead to 26-25 with 2:25 left in the third quarter.

Dirden nailed a short jumper to extend the lead back to three 28-25.

Chinook Sophomore Kourtney Hanson later converted two free throws to even things up at 33-33.

Henry then took over the contest as the freshman controlled the offensive glass for a bucket, scored a layup off another steal, scored off a nice drive to the basket, converted another offensive rebound for a score and knocked down both attempts from the free throw line, scoring the games final nine points and helping Harlem secure a 42-33 win.

Henry finished the contest with a game high 21 points. Swank led the 'Beeter attack with 14 markers.