Thunderbirds headed to State C after defeating W/GR 65-56 Sunday

The Chinook Sugarbeeters continued their march through the high school basketball season at the Northern C Divisional in Great Falls this weekend. Played at the Four Seasons Arena, they began the tournament with a 63-29 beat down of the Winnett/Grass Range Rams Thursday afternoon. Friday afternoon they took on the Belt Huskies an unleashed another dominant defensive effort with a 60-24 victory to send them to the Northern C Championship Saturday night.

The 'Beeters then took on familiar foe, the Hays/Lodge Pole Thunderbirds and stormed their way to a 66-45 win and a trip to the Stace C Tournament in Billings, March 7-9 at the Rim Rock Auto Arena at Metra Park.

The Thunderbirds would punch their ticket to Billings Sunday afternoon, defeating the Winnett/Grass Range Rams 65-56 in a challenge game. Hays/Lodge Pole began the tournament Wednesday night by defeating the District 10C champion Heart Butte Warriors 57-48 in a quarterfinal contest Wednesday night. They returned to the court Friday afternoon, and took down the District 8C champion Roy/Winifred Outlaws 54-45. The win earned them a spot in the championship game against Chinook.

The Sugarbeeters started slow Thursday, scoring just two baskets in the first four minutes, but they were just getting started and closed the quarter strong to lead 17-7 heading into the second quarter.

The Sugarbeeters kept up their relentless defensive pressure, scoring 18 more in the second quarter to take a commanding 35-15 lead into the halftime locker room.

Chinook added to the lead after the break and took a 47-20 lead into the fourth. All twelve players got into the action with sophomores and freshmen leading the charge in the fourth quarter.

They not only held the lead, but built on it highlighted by a steal from sophomore Ethan Bell and a sweet pass to sophomore Reese Elliot. He would put down a two-handed slam to give the 'Beeters a 52-20 lead. Elliot would add another slam moments later as Chinook cruised to a 63-29 first round win.

Senior Isaac Bell led the attack with sixteen points, all in the first half. Bell connected on all six of his field goal attempts in the opening 16 minutes including three triples. Senior Cord Schneider finished with 13 points and five rebounds. Elliot added 10 points and six boards.

In the semifinal contest against the Belt Huskies, the Sugarbeeters ratcheted up their defensive intensity even more as they allowed just two first quarter points and six in the opening half of action.

Senior Brendan Edwards scored three early baskets and junior Hunter Neibauer found Schneider down low for a quick 9-0 lead. Isaac Bell then found Edwards again and Schneider finished at the rim for a 13-2 lead heading into the second.

Ethan Bell scored late in the Second, Isaac dropped in another bucket and Neibauer turned an offensive rebound into points to help the Sugarbeeters take a 25-6 half time lead.

Senior Riley Kellam scored on an offensive rebound to keep the offense rolling in the third. Isaac knocked down a triple and Edwards used the left hand for another score and a 43-18 'Beeter advantage with eight minutes remaining.

Elliot then took over in the fourth, scoring 11 straight points off the bench, culminating with another two handed slam in the half court set. Isaac would add a breakaway slam of his own and the Sugarbeeters locked up an impressive 60-24 win over the Huskies and secure a spot in the Northern C Championship.

Edwards finished with 14 points in the contest and secured five rebounds while Isaac added 14 more to go along with six assists and a pair of steals. Elliot finished with 11 in the win.

In the Championship the 'Beeters and the Hays/Lodge Pole Thunderbirds met for the third time this season with the winner punching their ticket to the State Tournament in Billings.

Senior Trajan Hannum got the 'Beeters started with a long three and a quick 3-0 lead. The Thunderbirds responded with a pair of buckets from senior Kyle Young Jr. and Jeffrey Stiffarm to take a 4-3 advantage.

Hays/Lodge Pole held a 10-7 advantage after a bucket from senior Jeremy Pretty Paint. Edwards corralled a rebound for the Sugarbeeters and scored. Ethan Bell followed with a pair from the charity stripe and Schneider connected two of his own to propel Chinook to a 13-10 lead.

Following a Thunderbird timeout, Schneider scored again and Isaac went coast-to-coast converting the lay-up and then knocking down a free throw to finish the three-point play and give Chinook a 18-10 lead.

A three-point bomb from senior Gilbert Snow brought the Thunderbirds back within 5 and a deuce from Young made the score 20-17, but the Sugarbeeter offense was beginning to heat up.

Neibauer hit two free throws and Isaac drained o long three to push the Chinook lead to 28-19. Kellam turned a beautiful pass from Ethan into points late in the quarter as the Sugarbeeters took a 37-20 halftime lead.

Blackcrow scored the opening points of the third quarter for the Thunderbirds, but Isaac found Edwards down low for an easy bucket. Schneider finished off the assist from Isaac and following a fast break lay-up from Ethan the Sugarbeeters led 43-22.

Schneider converted two more offensive rebounds into points and Isaac buried a pair of free throws to help the Sugarbeeters take a 54-31 lead into the fourth.

Elliot extended the lead to 56-31 and Neibauer made a great inbound pass to Schneider moments later as the lead swelled to 28, 59-31.

The Sugarbeeters finished strong and punched their ticked to state with a 66-45 win.

Schneider finished with 20 points and eight rebounds for the Sugarbeeters. Isaac added 17 points, eight rebounds and four assists in the win. Edwards scored 10 points and grabbed eight boards as well.

Pretty Paint led the Thunderbirds with 13 points and 10 rebounds.

"I'm very proud of the team for their play throughout the entire season as I feel we have improved from game to game, as well as from the district tournament to the divisional tournament. Our defensive effort and intensity in the divisional tournament was a huge key in us being able to come away with the championship; as well as us playing within the team concept and not trying to do too much individual play," stated Head Coach Mike Seymour.

Seymour went on to say, "We will be working hard this next week and half to clean up a few things on our offensive sets as well as maintaining and elevating our defensive intensity. I would like to thank the community of Chinook and all the fans that braved the cold and snow to make it to Great Falls and share in our excitement. We look forward to representing our town and school at the State tournament and would appreciate everyone's support in Billings."

Hays/Lodge Pole began the tournament Wednesday afternoon against the Heart Butte Warriors. Hays/L.P. trailed after one, 12-11 but used a huge second quarter to take control of the contest. The Thunderbirds outscored the Warriors 21-6 in the frame to lead 32-18 at the break.

Heart Butte mounted a come back in the third, but the Thunderbirds were able to get back on track and secure a 57-48 first round win.

Pretty Paint and Blackcrow each scored 16 for the Thunderbirds in the contest. Pretty Paint dominated the glass, securing 22 rebounds for the Thunderbirds.

Friday the Thunderbirds took on the Roy/Winifred Outlaws in a semi-final contest. Hays/L.P. led 17-8 after eight minutes and 30-25 at the break. The Thunderbirds outscored the Outlaws by two in the third and the fourth to earn a 54-45 win and advance to face the Sugarbeeters.

The Thunderbirds had four players in double figures, led by Young with 13. Desmond Shambo added 12, Gilbert Snow 11 and Pretty Paint 10.

Following their setback in the chipper against Chinook the Thunderbirds were looking to punch their ticket to state Sunday afternoon in a challenge game with the Winnett/Grass/Range Outlaws.

The Thunderbirds took a early 15-7 lead, but the Rams stayed close in a back and forth affair. Hays/L.P. led 32-5 at the break and maintained control throughout the second half in securing a 65-56 win over the Rams.

Gilbert Snow came out firing, scoring 16 points early to help the Thunderbirds take control of the contest. Snow would finish with 22 markers and three assists in the win. Blackcrow added 14 and Young 10 in the win.

"Well divisionals was quite the roller coaster ride for us," said Head Coach Derrick Shambo. "From kids being sick and then having to play a game on Sunday, which was very odd to say the least. Making the championship game but coming up short and then having to regroup and get ready for a challenge game. Talk about emotional ups and downs." He added, "Not knowing if some of my players were even gonna be able to play at all or if they would be able to perform to their expectations. Much to my surprise, and I imagine a lot of other people, they performed very well! They performed well and overcame a lot to win 2nd place at Divisionals and a birth to State! A job well done by these young men and I'm very proud of my team!"

The Sugarbeeters will take on the Plenty Coup Warriors in the first game of the state tournament on Thursday, March 7. Tip-off is set for 12:30 p.m.

The Thunderbirds will take on the Melstone Broncs in the final game of day one at the state tournament with tip-off set for 8:00 p.m.

Boys Basketball

Northern C Divisional, Great Falls

Chinook 63 Winnett/Grass Range 29

Win./G.R. 7 8 5 9 — 29

Chinook 17 18 12 16 — 63

Win./G.R .: Caden McCarthy 0-1 0-0 0, Zane Stahl 0-4 0-0 0, Cy Nunn 0-3 0-1 0, Derrik Zimmerman 0-2 0-0 0, Jacob Jessen 4-9 3-6 12, Grant Finkbeiner 2-2 0-1 4, Charlie Keith 2-8 1-3 6, Garrett Eickhoff 1-2 0-0 2, Walker Doman 1-4 0-0 3, Caleb Hess 1-2 0-0 2, Ryan Drollinger 0-2 0-0 0, Mathew Weller 0-0 0-0 0. Team Totals 11-39 4-11 29.

Chinook: Isaac Bell 6-7 1-1 16, Ethan Bell 3-6 1-2 8, Hunter Neibauer 1-2 0-2 2, James Christensen 0-0 0-0 0, Trajan Hannum 0-3 2-2 2, Damon Hannum 1-1 0-0 2, Toby Niederegger 2-3 1-4 6, Reese Elliot 5-9 0-1 10, Ethan MacLeod 0-1 0-0 0, Riley Kellam 0-1 0-2 0, Brendan Edwards 1-3 2-2 4, Cord Schneider 5-10 3-4 13. Team Totals 24-46 10-20 63.

Three Point Field Goals: Win./G.R. 3 (Jacob Jessen 1, Charlie Keith 1, Walker Doman 1), Chinook 5 (Isaac Bell 2, Ethan Bell 1, Toby Nideregger 1); Rebounds: Win./G.R. 21 (Charlie Keith 5), Chinook 34 (Reese Elliot 6, Ethan Bell 6); Assists: Win./G.R. 4 (Zane Stahl 2), Chinook 15 (Ethan Bell 3, Isaac Bell, Trajan Hannum, Toby Niederegger, Ethan MacLeod all with 2); Steals: Win./G.R. 6 (Zane Stahl 2), Chinook 12 (Cord Schneider, Ethan BellTrajan Hannum, Hunter Neibauer all with 2); Blocks: Win/G.R. 0, Chinook 6 (Cord Schneider 4) Fouls: Win./G.R. 16, Chinook 14; Fouled Out: None.

Hays/L.P. 57 Heart Butte 48

Heart Butte 12 6 17 13 — 48

Hays/L.P. 11 21 4 21 — 57

Heart Butte: Blaise Arrowtop 4-8 0-0 9, Dillon Kipp 1-3 2-2 4, Jamieson Young Runner 7-20 3-4 20, Jaiden Comes At Night 0-0 0-0 0, Leo Kipp 1-2 0-0 2, Marcus Rutherford 0-1 0-0 0, Cody Aimsback 1-7 0-3 3, Randon White 0-1 0-0 0, Wendell Main 5-15 0-1 10, Robert Calf Boss Ribs 0-0 0-0 0. Team Totals 19-57 5-10 48.

Hays/Lodge Pole: Gilbert Snow 1-10 3-4 5, Jeffrey Stiffarm Jr. 3-11 0-2 8, Jeremy Pretty Paint 6-11 4-5 16, Desmond Shambo 0-1 0-0 0, Kenneth Blackcrow Jr. 6-12 4-11 16, Kyle Young Jr. 1-6 1-2 4, Moke Cliff 0-0 0-0 0, Deshon Shambo 2-4 0-0 4, Tyshawn Shambo 1-2 0-1 2, Wyman Bringinggood 1-4 0-0 2. Team Totals 21-61 12-25 57.

Three Point Field Goals: Heart Butte 5 (Jamieson Young Runner 3, Blaise Arrowtop 1, Cody Aimsback 1), Hays/L.P. 3 (Jeffrey Stiffarm 2, Kyle Young Jr. 1); Rebounds: Heart Butte 33 (Wendell Main 12), Hays/L.P. 52 (Jeremy Pretty Paint 22, Kenneth Blackcrow Jr. 10); Assists: Heart Butte 7 (Blaise Arrowtop 3), Hays/L.P. 6 (Jeremy Pretty Paint 2, Wyman Bringinggood 2); Steals: Heart Butte 8 (Jamieson Young Runner 6), Hays/L.P. 11 (Jeffrey Stiffarm 5); Blocks: Heart Butte 1 (Dillon Kipp 1), Hays/L.P. 5 (Jeremy Pretty Paint 4); Fouls: Heart Butte 24, Hays/L.P. 17; Fouled Out: Heart Butte (Dillon Kipp); Technical Fouls: Heart Butte - Leo Kipp.

Chinook 60 Belt 24 (SF)

Belt 2 4 12 6 — 24

Chinook 13 12 18 17 — 60

Belt: Aiden McDaniel 3-5 0-0 6, Brendan Wing 3-8 0-4 7, Bridger Vogl 0-2 0-0 0, Robbie Gliko 0-0 0-0 0, Hunter Vogl 1-5 0-3 2, Treyton Hennes 0-0 0-0 0, Adam Langston 0-1 0-0 0, Garett Metrione 2-3 1-2 5, Asa Jassen 0-0 0-0 0, Kaimen Evans 2-2 0-2 4, J.J. Triplett 0-0 0-0 0. Team Totals 11-26 1-12 24.

Chinook: Isaac Bell 5-14 1-4 14, Ethan Bell 1-4 0-0 2, Hunter Neibauer 2-6 0-0 4, James Christensen 0-0 0-0 0, Trajan Hannum 0-0 0-0 0, Damon Hannum 0-0 0-0 0, Toby Niederegger 1-1 0-0 2, Reese Elliot 5-5 1-2 11, Ethan MacLeod 0 0-0 0, Riley Kellam 3-8 0-1 6, Brendan Edwards 7-9 0-0 14, Cord Schneider 3-4 1-4 7. Team Totals 27-51 3-11 60.

Three Point Field Goals: Belt 1 (Brendan Wing 1), Chinook 3 (Isaac Bell 3); Rebounds: Belt: 12 (Adam Langston 4), Chinook 31 (Hunter Neibauer 6, Brendan Edwards 5); Assists: Belt 2 (Two with 1), Chinook 14 (Isaac Bell 6); Steals: Belt 7 (Aiden McDaniel 3), Chinook 13 (Hunter Neibauer 3); Blocks: Belt 1 (Brendan Wing), Chinook 2 (Riley Kellam 1, Brendan Edwards 1) Fouls: Belt 9, Chinook 11; Fouled Out: None.

Hays/L.P. 54 Roy/Winifred 45 (SF)

Roy/Winfred 8 17 13 7 — 45

Hays/L.P. 17 13 15 9 — 54

Roy/Win: Bryer Shultz 1-1 0-0 2, Brody Geer 2-10 1-2 5, Anthony DeMars 0-1 0-0 0, J54-45ustin Stulc 3-11 1-2 9, Carter Pendegrass 0-1 0-0 0, Ryan Russell 2-5 0-0 5, Tyler Fordyce 11-13 2-4 24. Team Totals 19-42 4-8 45.

Hays/Lodge Pole: Gilbert Snow 3-9 2-4 11, Jeffrey Stiffarm Jr. 1-6 0-0 2, Jeremy Pretty Paint 5-13 0-0 10, Desmond Shambo 1-1 0-0 2, Kenneth Blackcrow Jr. 6-11 0-1 12, Kyle Young Jr. 5-8 1-5 13, Deshon Shambo 1-1 0-0 3, Tyshawn Shambo 0-2 1-2 1, Wyman Bringinggood 0 0-0 0, James Brockie 0 0-0 0. Team Totals 22-51 4-12 54.

Three Point Field Goals: Roy/Win 3 (Justin Stulc 2, Ryan Russell 1), Hays/L.P. 6 (Gilbert Snow 3, Kyle Young Jr. 2, Deshon Shambo 1); Team Rebounds: Roy/Win 21 (Justin Stulc 7), Hays/L.P. 36 (Jeremy Pretty Paint 11, Kenneth Blackcrow Jr. 11); Assists: Roy/Win 6 (Bryer Shultz 3), Hays/L.P. 8 (Kenneth Blackcrow 3); Team Steals: Roy/Win 7 (Brody Geer 3), Hays/L.P. 11 (Jeffrey Stiffarm 4); Team Fouls: Roy/Win 15, Hays/L.P. 11; Fouled Out: None.

Chinook 66 Hays/Lodge Pole 45 (1st)

Hays/L.P. 12 8 11 14 — 45

Chinook 20 17 16 13 — 66

Hays/Lodge Pole: Estevan Granados 0-0 0-0 0, Gilbert Snow 3-7 2-2 9, Jeffrey Stiffarm Jr. 2-7 0-2 4, Jeremy Pretty Paint 6-17 0-0 13, Desmond Shambo 0 0-0 0, Siris Grandchamp 1-1 0-2 2, Kenneth Blackcrow Jr. 2-4 0-0 4, Kyle Young Jr. 3-10 3-5 9, Deshon Shambo 0-2 0-0 0, Tyshawn Shambo 0-0 0-0 0, Wyman Bringinggood 1-3 0-0 2, James Brockie 1-1 0-0 2. Team Totals 19-52 5-11 45.

Chinook: Isaac Bell 5-13 5-7 17, Ethan Bell 2-5 2-2 6, Hunter Neibauer 0-4 2-2 2, James Christensen 0-1 0-0 0, Trajan Hannum 1-1 0-0 3, Damon Hannum 0-0 1-2 1, Toby Niederegger 0-0 0-0 0, Reese Elliot 2-4 1-2 5, Ethan MacLeod 0 0-0 0, Riley Kellam 1-3 0-1 2, Brendan Edwards 4-7 2-2 10, Cord Schneider 9-15 2-3 20. Team Totals 24-53 15-21 66.

Three Point Field Goals: Hays/L.P. 2-16 (Jeremy Pretty Pain 1, Gilbert Snow 1), Chinook 3-10 (Isaac Bell 2, Trajan Hannum 1); Rebounds: Hays/L.P. 27 (Jeremy Pretty Paint 10), Chinook 41 (Isaac Bell 8, Cord Schneider 8, Brendan Edwards 8); Assists: Hays/L.P. 6 (Kenneth Blackcrow 2, Gilbert Snow 2), Chinook 9 (Isaac Bell 4, Ethan Bell 3); Steals: Hays/L.P. 8 (Estevan Granados 2, Gilbert Snow 2), Chinook 9 (Ethan Bell 2, Brendan Edwards 2); Blocks: Hays/L.P. 3 (Jeremy Pretty Paint 3), Chinook 1 (Isaac Bell 1); Team Fouls: Hays/L.P. 16, Chinook 11; Fouled Out: None.

Hays/L.P. 65 Winnett/Grass Range 56 (2nd)

Win./G.R. 7 18 13 18 — 56

Hays/L.P. 15 17 14 19 — 65

Win./G.R .: Caden McCarthy 0-1 1-2 1, Zane Stahl 3-8 1-2 7, Cy Nunn 0-0 0-0 0, Derrik Zimmerman 1-1 0-0 3, Jacob Jessen 6-17 1-1 13, Charlie Keith 11-15 3-4 27, Garrett Eickhoff 0-0 0-0 0, Walker Doman 0-0 0-0 0, Caleb Hess 1-3 0-2 3, Ryan Drollinger 1-2 0-0 2, Mathew Weller 0-0 0-0 0. Team Totals 0-0 0-0 0.

Hays/Lodge Pole: Gilbert Snow 10-15 0-2 22, Jeffrey Stiffarm Jr. 1-3 3-4 5, Jeremy Pretty Paint 3-7 2-3 8, Desmond Shambo 1-2 0-0 2, Kenneth Blackcrow Jr. 7-10 0-3 14, Kyle Young Jr. 2-7 4-4 10, Tyshawn Shambo 1-3 0-0 2, Wyman Bringinggood 1-1 0-0 2, James Brockie 0-0 0-0 0. Team Totals 26-48 9-16 65.

Three Point Field Goals: Win./G.R. 4-14 (Charlie Keith 2), Hays/L.P. 4-11 (Gilbert Snow 2, Kyle Young Jr. 2); Team Rebounds: Win./G.R. 30 (Jessen 9), Hays/L.P. 24 (Pretty Paint 7); Assists: Win./G.R. 7 (Stahl 5), Hays/L.P. 12 (Snow 3, Young Jr. 3); Team Fouls: Win./G.R. 13, Hays/L.P. 13; Fouled Out: None

Senior Isaac Bell had a great tournament for the Sugarbeeters, here he scores a first half bucket to jump start the 'Beeter offense.