Hays/Lodge Pole Thunderbirds Will Be a Force Again in District 9C Girls & Boys Basketball

 

December 30, 2020

2020-21 Hays/Lodge Pole Thunderbird Boys Basketball Team

The Hays/Lodge Pole Thunderbirds are primed and ready for another run in the District 9C. The Thunderbird boys look to make a statement this year and return to the top of the conference standings. The Thunderbird girls qualified for the Northern C Divisional a season ago, making their first appearance since 1988.

Both the boys and the girls have high hopes again this year and despite the schedule being pushed back three weeks and first games being delayed until after the new year. The Thunderbirds are the only Blaine County team and one of just a handful in the state to play a complete 18 game schedule, and they will do it in just six weeks.

Hays/Lodge Pole

Thunderbird Girls Basketball

Corey Morgan returns to the bench once again this season to lead the Thunderbirds. Morgan has done a fantastic job rebuilding the program and taking the girls to new heights. This year his team looks to build on the incredible success of a season ago and once again make an appearance at the Northern C Divisional.


Seniors returning to the Thunderbird lineup this year include Sierra Chandler, Ella Messerly and Kassi Perez. The three starters have all contributed heavily to the success the program has built in recent years and will be called upon to provide leadership.

Juniors looking to contribute in larger rolls this season include veterans Jaedyn Chandler and Judemia Gray. Sophomores adding depth to the Thunderbird lineup include Nashone Shambo, Staunte Hawley, Aubrey Chandler and Janine HastheEagle

Freshman looking to see some court time are Alliya PrettyPaint and Destiny Webb. New to high school basketball will be eighth graders Angela Blackcrow, Shailee Shambo and Nina Fox


All seniors, juniors and sophomores are experienced varsity players and will prove pivotal helping the younger players learn to keep the program headed in the right direction.

Through the first couple weeks of practice Morgan has developed a pretty good feel for his team, "I think we have a good mixture of young and veteran. We've been working on chemistry and trying to fill the gaps where we need to."

With that good mix of veterans and younger players Morgan likes what he has seen in practice thus far, "The intensity level is right where it needs to be. The younger girls have jumped right in and started working hard and are eager to learn. Our older girls have accepted their roles as leaders and have made the transitions smooth as possible. "


A common theme among coaches early on in any season is getting the kids game ready and that generally includes a lot of running, "We've been focusing a lot on conditioning without risking injury. We've of course been working on fundamentals and squeezing in X's and O's when we can," added Morgan.

With such a successful season a year ago that saw them accomplish a feat not seen in 30 years at the school, where does the team set its sights for the upcoming season, "Of course our expectations are always to finish better then we did last year. We want to have a strong post season and I believe we have the girls to do it. We have a good mixture of size and speed, youth and experience," concluded Morgan.

The Thunderbirds will be assisted on the bench by longtime mentor Gemma Mount.

Hays/Lodge Pole

Thunderbird Boys Basketball

2013 Thunderbird Standout and Dawson Community College Alum Shakayla Whitecow takes over the boys program at Hays/Lodge Pole. Whitecow was a 'do everything' player for the girls back in 2013 and played for Morgan then. In leading the boys program in her first stint as a head coach she will undoubtedly lean on him for advice.

Whitecow is confident in her ability to lead the Thunderbird boys, "I know I don't know everything, but feel like I know just enough to compete."

Seniors returning to the Thunderbird lineup this season include Isaiah Denny, Jess King, Tylon Mount and Julius Ball. Whitecow will look to these four to provide leadership but will count on juniors Estevan Granados, Tyshawn Shambo and Josiah Runsabove to fill that roll a bit as well.

Sophomores suiting up for the Thunderbirds include Brandon Castillo, Daniel Henry, Mike Roper, Cash Messerly, Davontae Sullivan, Kaleb Walker and William Has The Eagle. Freshman looking to contribute however they can will be WIlliam Hughes Jr., Jacoby Ball, RJ Blackcrow and Avery Boe Jr.

Isaiah Denny, Estevan Granados, Tyshawn Shambo, Brandon Castillo, Daniel Henry and Davonte Sullivan all earned varsity letters a season ago.

Whitecow has jumped right in and is learning as much as she can about her new team, "Through the first few weeks, I have realized just how much there is to teach these boys. We're young and it's definitely a rebuilding period for us."

While there are certainly things she has seen so far that she likes, she knows there is some work to be done, "The intensity could improve, there's always room to improve every day. I still haven't found a leader for the team, but I think the underclassman will surprise everyone. We're working on communication and figuring whose role is whose," said Whitecow.

Taking over a program, especially just before the season is set to get underway is a challenge for even the most experienced of coaches, but Whitecow has done well, "As far as offenses and defenses go, we were able to get a few in while incorporating conditioning as well. Everyone wants to run their teams hard the first week, but I feel like drills that make them think while they're tired or 'on the fly', are a great way to learn a little faster. I got lucky with this group, they've come a long way in just a few weeks."

Whitecow has her goals for the team all lined out, "My expectations are to prepare young men, not only for basketball competition, but for adulthood. They need a lot of guidance. I'm very thankful for the coaches I've had, who've helped me along the way. I just hope to be the same for them."

Hays/Lodge Pole

Thunderbird Basketball Schedule

The Thunderbirds will play a full 14 game conference schedule along with a home and home against the Roy/Winifred Outlaws and the Poplar Indians.

The Thunderbirds will begin the season in Turner on Saturday, January 2 and then head to Poplar on Tuesday, January 5 to take on the Indians. The Thunderbirds first home contest of the season will be Friday, January 8 when they host the Chinook Sugarbeeters. Hays/Lodge Pole will recognize their seniors in between varsity games of their final home contest against the Box Elder Bears on Friday February 12.

Other games on the schedule include home contest against the North Star Knights on January 15, the Poplar Indians on January 19, The Big Sandy Pioneers, January 23, The Roy/Winifred Outlaws, January 26, the The Fort Benton Longhorns, January 30, the Turner Tornadoes, February 2 and the Chester/Joplin-Inverness Hawks February 6.

2020-21 Hays/Lodge Pole Thunderbird Girls Basketball Team

Road contests will also include the Fort Benton Longhorns on January 9, the Roy/Winifred Outlaws in Winifred on January 12, the Chester/Joplin-Inverness Hawks in Chester on January 16, the Box Elder Bears on January 22, the Chinook Sugarbeeters on January 29, the North Star Knights in Gildford on February 5 and the Big Sandy Pioneers on February 13.

The District 9C Girls and Boys Basketball Tournament will once again take place in Havre at the Blue Pony High School Gymnasium, February 17-20. The Northern C Divisional will be in Great Falls, February 24-27 and the combined Boys and Girls Class C State Tournament will be in Bozeman March 11-13.

 
 

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