'Beeters, Thunderbirds gaining momentum as tournament time approaches
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Keri Hanson
Harlem freshman Brad Cichosz lets one fly from beyond the arc Friday against Chinook. Chichosz has been quite a find for the Wildcats this season providing quality minutes every time out has shown the ability to knock down long shots at the buzzer to end a quarter or half.
The Hays/Lodge Pole Thunderbirds have nearly wrapped up a District 9C regular season championship with a pair of lopsided conference wins over the Turner Tornadoes 70-26 and the Fort Benton Longhorns 70-19.
The Chinook Sugarbeeters overcame a strong start by the Harlem Wildcats to overcome a 13 point halftime deficit and secure a 51-49 win Friday evening.
Saturday the 'Beeters racked up 60 first half points, including 39 in the second quarter in defeating the Turner Tornadoes 90-22.
Chinook 51 Harlem 49
The Chinook Sugarbeeters needed a huge fourth quarter to overcome a Harlem Wildcat team that shot lights out in the first to earn a slim 51-49 non conference win and complete the season sweep.
The Wildcats got a three point bucket from freshman Lane Allen in a strong first quarter that ended with Harlem on top 15-10.
The Wildcats continued their solid play in the second quarter, outscoring the Sugarbeeters 15-7 to open up a 30-17 halftime lead.
The second half was a very different story as Chinook trimmed five points off Harlem's lead to start the fourth quarter down 39-31.
Chinook doubled up the Wildcats over the final eight minutes 20-10 to earn the slim 51-49 win. Sophomore Isaac Bell knocked down a pair of triples down the stretch to help propel the Sugarbeeters to the win.
Chinook was led by sophomore Cord Schneider's 18 points, Bell added 17 including nine in the fourth quarter.
Harlem was paced by Allen's 14 points.
Hays/L.P. 70 Turner 26
The Hays/Lodge Pole Thunderbirds continued to roll through the District 9C Friday with a dominating 70-26 romp over the Turner Tornadoes.
The Thunderbirds were in complete control from the opening tip. Senior Tyson Shambo drained a pair from beyond the arc and six players found the scoring column for a 24-6 lead after eight minutes.
Junior Chance Main buried a long three and scored seven second quarter points and senior Frank RunsAbove added six more in a 28-1 Thunderbird second quarter as Hays/Lodge Pole opened up a 52-7 halftime lead.
The Thunderbirds slowed things down the final two quarters and cruised to the 74-26 win.
Four Thunderbirds scored double figures with Shambo, Runs Above and Maine each tallying 11, Tough Snow added 10 points in the contest.
Junior Eddie Harmon scored eight for the Tornadoes.
Chinook 90 Turner 22
The Chinook Sugarbeeters got nine points from sophomore Isaac Bell in opening up a 21-12 lead after eight minutes of action.
The 'Beeter offense was just getting started kicking things into overdrive the next eight minutes.
Freshman Hunter Neibauer Filled the nets for 11 points, sophomore Cord Schneider tallied 10 and Sophomore Brendan Edwards added eight in electric 39 point second quarter pushing the 'Beeter lead to 60-18 by intermission.
Bell connected from down town twice and scored 10 third quarter points as Chinook extended the lead to 74-21 entering the fourth quarter.
The 'Beeters added 16 more fourth quarter points claiming the 90-22 conference win.
Bell finished with 22 points in the contest. Neibauer collected 18 points, Schneider added 12 more and Edwards 10 in the win.
Hays/L.P. 70 Ft. Benton 19
Saturday in Fort Benton it was another stellar performance by the Thunderbirds as they whipped up on the Fort Benton Longhorns 70-19.
The Thunderbird defense limited the Longhorns to just two first quarter points while the offense tickled the twine for 26, establishing a commanding early lead.
Hays/Lodge Pole dialed the pressure back a notch in the second and third quarters but still managed to extend their advantage to 63-15 entering the fourth quarter.
The game was played with the mercy rule in effect the remainder of the way as Hays/Lodge Pole moved to 12-0 in conference play with the 70-19 win.
Senior Frank RunsAbove led a balanced Thunderbird attack with 20 markers. Senior Jace Shambo added 10 of his own and nine players scored at least three points in the contest.
North Star 52 Turner 45
The Turner Tornadoes got off to a great start last Tuesday evening against the North Star Knights in a contest originally scheduled for December 16.
The Tornadoes have been on a roll as of late and held a 13-10 lead entering the second quarter against the Knights.
North Star carried the momentum in the second quarter outscoring Turner 15-5 to take a 25-18 lead into the break.
The teams matched each other on the scoreboard the final 16 minutes, each tallying 27 second half points allowing North Star to secure a 52-45 win.
Keri Hanson
Senior Kyle McMaster gets a easy bucket Saturday night during second half action of Chinooks 90-22 win over the Tornadoes.
Junior Eddie Harmon scored 17 points in the contest including 13 in the second half. Sophomore Cody Welsh added 16 markers, draining two from beyond the three point line.
With just one weekend left in the regular season remaining before post season play begins The Hays/Lodge Pole Thunderbirds remain the District 9C top seed with a 15-1 overall record and 12-0 in conference.
The Chinook Sugarbeeters improved to 11-5 overall and 8-5 in conference. The 'Beeters currently are the number three seed and can solidify that with a home win Friday against the North Star Knights.
Turner is locked into the number six slot with a 5-11 overall record, 3-9 in conference and will begin tournament play against the number three seed. Hays/Lodge Pole will likely open against the Chester J-I Hawks with just one conference win on the season.
