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

The Chinook Sugarbeeters are headed to a Boys State Basketball Tournament for the first time in 33 years. Back in 1986 the Sugarbeeters claimed the State Class B Championship with a 65-64 win over the Lodge Grass Indians in Butte.

The Sugarbeeters were reclassified as Class C back in 2005 and have never advanced to the State C Tournament prior to this season.

Digging deeper, the Sugarbeeters Northern C Divisional Championship secured last week over Hays/Lodge Pole was the schools first in 50 years.

The Sugarbeeters have blistered through their schedule, the District 9C Tournament and Northern C en-route to qualifying for the State C.

In 18 regular season wins, 15 came by more than 25 points, two by 13 and a close call against Fort Benton at home, where they won by just two. The Sugarbeeters responded to that test with a 26 point shellacking of the Longhorns to end the regular season.

They then won three District 9C Tournament games by scores of 27, 40 and 28. The 'Beeters kept up their dominance a week later at the Northern C Divisional, winning three games by an average of 30.3 points per game.

Of course the State C is loaded with teams that posses dominate resumes and the 'Beeters will have to be at the top of their game to reach their ultimate goal.

The way this team has come together through the season and their commitment to each and every member of the team, gives supporters a reason to believe.

They are together, varsity all the way through the junior varsity and managers. The way they have bought into the coaching staff and their philosophy, has been something to see.

When they are at their best, their offense is fluid, unselfish and demoralizing to opponents. Their defense is connected and works as one to thwart any kind of offensive attack.

They have proven they can eliminate great shooters, strong post attacks and can play up-tempo or half-court basketball equally as well.

The State Tournament is the biggest stage for any high school athlete and requires a near perfect weekend for any team to claim the title.

This years squad includes seniors Cord Schneider, Isaac Bell, Trajan Hannum, Brendan Edwards, Riley Kellam and James Christensen. Hunter Neibauer is the lone junior. Sophomores include Reese Elliot, Ethan Bell, Damon Hannum, Ethan MacLeod and Benton Elliot. Freshman Toby Niederegger rounds out the roster.

"This team suffered some real heartache at the Northern C Divisional. Last year losing to Heart Butte in the semifinal game and then losing to Belt in the consolation. Only to see Belt challenge Sunburst and make it to state," said Head Coach Mike Seymour. "That was very tough to swallow. So, I am very proud of their resilience and focus on attaining a Divisional Championship."

Seymour is proud of his team and grateful to the community, "I would like to thank our fans for all of the support this season, they've been awesome! I'm very thankful to all of the people who had a hand with helping build this team from the time they were third and fourth graders. A big shout out to my wife, Shilo, who spent countless hours donating her time, organizing and putting on food sales and what ever else she had to do to help these young men get to tournaments over the years. All of the success goes to her and the others who helped over the years."

The team is fun to watch for many reasons, their athletic, they have a high basketball IQ, but they also seem to really enjoy playing together.

"It feels good, it's been a lot of fun," said senior Cord Schneider. "Now we have to finish the job. We've played together for so many years."

Schneider went on to say, "We have good chemistry. We play together really well because we get along so well. All the summer tournaments, the open gyms, we've done it all together."

This team has years of experience together on the court, "Starting in fifth and sixth grade we started talking about high school," said senior Isaac Bell. "Then in seventh, eighth grade we started talking about going to state and winning it all."

This team has taken some licks along the way, but they have always learned from them, "Our freshman year we were confident, but it was tough not getting there. By our junior year we thought we could make it, but we weren't ready and that hurt," added Isaac. "Senior year we put all the chemistry together, so we are confident coming into state. Together, it's like brotherhood, we play for each other."

While Cord and Isaac are both All-Conference and All-State award winners and have been staples of this team for years, the 'Beeters are solid top to bottom. Edwards and Kellam are forces in the paint, Christensen is a shut down defender and Hannum runs the offense efficiently.

Junior Hunter Neibauer is often asked to lock down an opponents biggest threat and sophomores Ethan Bell and Reese Elliot can step in at anytime.

The moment is not lost on the younger players, "It means a lot, Ethan (MacLeod), Toby (Niederegger) and I. It's always been a dream of ours (State) and to have the opportunity this year and to be there with my brother (Isaac) and the seniors, it's pretty great, a dream come true," said Ethan Bell. "We play together really well, we have great practices and we are 'all in' with the coaches game plan."

Elliot had some big moments at the Northern C Divisional to say the least, throwing down three dunks. Elliot is also very appreciative of his senior teammates, "It's been great to practice with these guys and learn from them, without having all the pressure that they have. I'm trying to absorb everything I can from them. I know I'll get my shot to be on the court more in the future, but I want to be prepared to do whatever I'm asked to do now."

"I've known everybody on this team for a while, so to get to play with them and get this far with them is awesome. I've always look up to the seniors," concluded Elliot.

The 'Beeters will begin play at the State C Tournament, Thursday at 12:30 p.m. against the Plenty Coups Warriors. The tournament is being played at the Rim Rock Auto Arena in Billings at Metra Park.