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

District 9c and 2B play got underway this weekend with the Harlem Wildcats jumping out to a big lead early and then holding on for a 51-48 win over the visiting Malta M-ettes. The Hays/Lodge Pole Thunderbirds outlasted the Chinook Sugarbeeters 43-34 to begin the season and the Turner Tornadoes stormed back in the fourth quarter to win their opener 53-51 over the North Star Knights.

The Thunderbirds had their home opener Saturday as they welcomed the Chester/Joplin-Inverness Hawks to town.

The Thunderbirds moved to 2-0 in conference play with a 67-37 win. The Sugarbeeters rebounded Saturday with a 45-33 win over the Big Sandy Pioneers.

Harlem fell to the Wolf Point Wolves 55-53 in a classic early season contest while the Tornadoes were defeated by the Fort Benton Longhorns 59-47

The Sugarbeeters took the early lead against the Hays/Lodge Pole Thunderbirds in the District 9C opener for both teams as senior Kourtney Hanson scored twice and senior Megan Molyneaux added a bucket for a 10-7 lead.

Thunderbird freshman Tahtianna Morgan connected from well beyond the arc at the buzzer to even thew contest at 10-10. Freshman Jaedyn Chandler then drained an elbow jumper and Morgan connected again from long range on an assist from junior Muleeah Stiffarm for a 17-10 Thunderbird lead.

Stiffarm would again find Morgan, this time next to the basket for an easy score giving the Thunderbirds a 22-10 advantage midway through the second.

Senior Lincy Johnson knocked down a triple for the Sugarbeeters and senior Ashley McLeod scored to bring Chinook within six at the halftime intermission 25-19.

Hanson began the second with bucket off a nice assist from Johnson to trim the Thunderbird lead to 25-22.

Stiffarm later converted on two attempts from the charity strip and closed out the quarter by finding Morgan for another three point bucket to push the Hays/Lodge Pole lead to eleven 34-23 heading into the fourth quarter.

Johnson started a mini 'Beeter run with score in the paint and Molyneaux followed by finding MacLeod for her second triple of the quarter to trim the Thunderbird lead to 36-31.

Stiffarm finished the game strong for the Thunderbirds burying a long three from the left side for 40-34 lead and then knocking down 3-4 free throws to put the finishing touches on a 43-34 Thunderbird win.

Morgan led the Thunderbirds offensively with 15 points, Stiffarm added 10 and Sophomore Kassie Perez eight for the Thunderbirds.

Hanson and MacLeod each finished with 11 for the Sugarbeeters.

The Thunderbirds then hosted the Chester/Joplin-Inverness Hawks in their home opener Saturday afternoon.

After a back and fourth first quarter that ended with the

Thunderbirds trailing the Hawks 16-13. From that point on Hays/Lodge Pole cranked up the offense.

The Thunderbirds outscored the Hawks 22-11 in the second and 36-14 after intermission to win easily 67-37.

Perez lead the Thunderbird effort with 14 points while the Thunderbirds welcomed back senior Latasha Kirkaldie and her 11 points. Morgan also scored 11 for the Thunderbirds.

Harlem jumped out to a 16-6 lead after eight minutes in their District 2B opener against the Malta M-ettes. The Wildcats pushed their advantage to 33-14 by halftime.

The M-ettes matched the Wildcats point for point in the third quarter with each team scoring 13.

Harlem struggled to find their way offensively in the fourth quarter as Malta bested them 21-5 down the stretch but fortunately they had a big enough lead to withstand the charge and earned a 51-48 win.

Junior L'Tia Lawrence led the way for the Wildcats with 22 points in the contest, junior Skylee Dirden added 15.

Saturday had Harlem welcoming the Wolf Point Wolves to town in a battle of Northern B powers. Many believe the two teams will be playing in the District 2B title game come February and possible even the Northern B chipper.

Saturdays game didn't disappoint as the two battled for every ball start to finish.

The Wolves led early taking a 14-9 lead after eight minutes of action. Sophomore Melony Fetter, Dirden and Lawrence each scored four in the second to keep Harlem close as the two teams headed to intermission with the Wolves on top 29-25.

Freshman Taya Trottier connected from beyond the arc and scored eight third quarter points but the Wolves maintained a 46-41 advantage heading into the fourth.

The Wildcats worked their way back and held a 51-50 lead with just under four minutes remaining. Lawrence scored eight down the stretch and Dirden connected from long range but in the end it was the Wolves taking a 55-53 win.

Lawrence and Dirden each finished with 16 points while Trottier added 13 in what could be the first in many great contest between the teams this season.

The Turner Tornadoes got a pair of three point bombs from junior Sarah Billmayer in the first quarter of their home opener against the North Star Knights Friday night but trailed 13-12 heading into the second quarter.

The Knights maintained control through the second and third quarters but the Tornado offense stormed back down the stretch.

Trailing 42-34 with eight minutes remaining the Tornadoes got a huge effort from Billmayer. The junior knocked down her third triple of the contest and scored ten in the fourth leading the Tornadoes all the way back for a 53-51 win over their 9C rivals.

Harlem sophomore Melony Fetter starts the Wildcat fast break with a outlet pass to senior Skylee Dirden late in their contest with the Wolf Point Wolves Saturday night.

The Tornadoes were led by the effort of sophomore Shyan Krass who scored 21 points in the win, including 10 in the third quarter to ensure the Tornadoes stayed in striking distance. Billmayer added 18 in the contest.

Saturday the Turner girls headed to fort Benton to face the Longhorns. Fort Benton jumped out to an early 18-4 lead.

Turner found their footing and matched the Longhorns on the scoreboard the remainder of the contest, falling 59-47. Krass again led the Turner effort with 19 points in the contest. Senior Rylee Conlan added nine for the Tornadoes.

Saturday the Sugarbeeters took it to the Big Sandy Pioneers getting off to a fast start taking a 15-4 lead into the second quarter.

From their the teams traded baskets with Chinook taking a 22-12 lead at halftime. The 'Beeters scored 15 more in the third quarter before putting the finishing touches on a 45-33 win over the Pioneers.

Hanson led the offensive effort for the Sugarbeeters with 17 points. Senior Rachel Gunderson and Molyneaux each added eight in the win.