The regular season is winding down at a feverish pace and the action has been seemingly non-stop. The Turner Tornadoes picked up a pair of hard fought wins over the Chinook Sugarbeeters and Hays/Lodge Pole Thunderbirds this past week, sandwiched in between was a tough loss to the Fort Benton Longhorns. Chinook lost a tough contest with Box Elder on Tuesday but bounced back with a comfortable win over the Chester/Joplin Inverness Hawks on Friday. Hays/Lodge Pole closed out the weeks action with a thumping of the Chester/J-I Saturday evening in Hays.

With less than a week to go before the District 9C tournament begins and just two weeks until the start of the District 2B Tournament all four Blaine County teams will see plenty of time on the court. The Harlem Lady Cats haven't played in nearly three weeks due to Covid-19 restrictions but they have six games scheduled to be played before the District 2B Tournament gets underway in Poplar, February 25.

The Turner Tornadoes and Hays/Lodge Pole Thunderbirds met on the court this past Tuesday with both teams looking to add to their win total. Hays/Lodge Pole controlled the action early with a strong defensive effort and led 10-7 after eight minutes of action.

Sophomore Dakota Krass scored four in the second stanza provide a spark to the Tornado offense. Hays/Lodge Pole maintained a lead at the break, albeit a slim one, 18-17. Senior Jaedyn Chandler scored five third quarter points to help push the Thunderbird lead to four 32-28 heading into the fourth quarter.

Freshman Alliya Pretty Paint scored going to the basket to give the Thunderbirds a 36-35 lead late in the contest. Dakota Krass answered back with a three point bucket to give the lead back to Turner 38-36 with time running down.

Junior Judemia Gray converted both attempts from the charity stripe with :50 left on the clock. Shyan Krass sealed the deal for the Tornadoes with a drive to the basket, converting while also drawing the foul. Krass converted the and one giving the Tornadoes a 41-38 lead. Thunderbirds connected once more from the charity stripe as Turner came away with a hard fought 41-39 win.

Shyan Krass scored 18 to lead the Turner effort while Dakota added 10. Pretty Paint led the Thunderbird effort with 10 points on the night.

Friday the Tornadoes welcomed the Fort Benton Longhorns to town. The defense controlled the flow of the contest early for both teams with Turner trailing 8-7 early on. Fort Benton closed out the first half with a 21-10 run to lead 29-17 at the break. Any chance of Turner getting back in the game was dashed in the third quarter with the Longhorns pushing the lead to 52-18. Turner would be defeated 67-24 in the contest. Krass led the Tornado effort with 17 points.

Saturday, the Tornadoes and Sugarbeeters met in Chinook in another tough test for both squads. Turner came out firing in the first half against the Sugarbeeters , getting huge effort from Shyan Krass along the way. The senior scored six first quarter points to give Turner a 12-7 lead at the end of the first quarter. She added13 more before the half giving her 19 by intermission and the Tornadoes 30-18 lead.

Senior Jayden Miller came out to start the third quarter on fire, playing inspired basketball in getting Chinook back in the game. Miller scored 10 third quarter points and made numerous defensive plays in the frame. Turner maintained a lead heading into the fourth quarter, but a narrow one, 41-36.

The Sugarbeeters would cut the lead to two but in the end the Turner attack, led by Shyan Krass was to much as the Tornadoes left Chinook with a 56-43 win. Krass poured in 32 points in the contest to lead Turner. Miller led the 'Beeter effort with 18.

Chinook began the week at home against the Box Elder Bears. The visitors stormed out to a 23-11 lead after eight minutes of action. The Sugarbeeters are a young team but they have proven to play with a lot of determination and clawed their way back before the halftime break. Freshman Hallie Neibauer scored 13 first half points to help Chinook trim the Bear lead to 34-28.

Neibauer score all six third quarter points for the 'Beeters and added six more in the fourth, but it was not enough to bring the Sugarbeeters all the way back. The Bears held on for a 58-51 win over Chinook. Neibauer led all scorers with 25 points in the contest.

Friday night in Chester the Sugarbeeters started fast and never looked back. The Sugarbeeters opened up a 16-7 lead at the end of the first. The Sugarbeeters would push that lead to 34-10 by halftime with Neibauer leading the charge, scoring 10 first half points.

The 'Beeters kept their foot on the gas after the break pushing their advantage to 47-18 at the end of three quarters. The 'Beeters coasted to a 67-24 win to sweep the Hawks on the season. Neibauer finished with 21 points in the win.

The Hays/Lodge Pole Thunderbirds took on a very good North Star Knights team Friday in Gildford. The Thunderbirds played hard but trailed early and could never close the gap. The Knights opened a 23-8 advantage, eight minutes in and walked away with a 70-32 victory over the Thunderbirds. Sierra Chandler paced the offense with seven points.

Saturday back in the Thunderdome, Hays/Lodge Pole went to work on the visiting Chester/Joplin Inverness Hawks. Pretty Paint scored eight first quarter points, Jaedyn Chandler added a bomb from beyond the arc and sophomore scored five for the Thunderbirds as they took a 19-1 lead into the second quarter.

Senior Ella Messerly scored five in the second to lead the Thunderbird attack. Pretty Paint and Jaedyn Chandler connected from distance to give the Thunderbirds a 34-12 halftime lead.

Hays/Lodge Pole slowed down their attack after the break but were never challenged by the Hawks down the stretch. The Thunderbirds completed the season sweep of the Hawks with a comfortable 56-39 win. Pretty Paint led all scorers with 14 points in the contest while Shambo added nine.

Turner 41 Hays/Lodge Pole 39

Turner 7 10 11 13 - 41

Hays/Lodge Pole 10 8 14 7 - 39

Turner - Dakota Krass 3 3-7 10, Emma Billmayer 2 2-2 6, Cassidy Grabofsky 0 0-0 0, Brandy Calvert 1 0-0 2, Brooke Reed 2 1-2 5, Shyan Krass 7 4-5 18, Hannah Richman 0 0-0 0, Meridian Snider 0 0-0 0, Katie Kimmel 0 0-0 0. Team Totals 15 10-16 41.

Hays/L.P. - Nashone Shambo 0 0-0 0, Ella Messerly 2 0-2 4, Judemia Gray 3 2-5 9, Kassie Perez 1 1-2 3, Sierra Chandler 1 2-2 4, Alliya Pretty Paint 5 0-4 10, Jaedyn Chandler 2 3-4 7. Team Totals 15 8-19 39.

Three Point Field Goals - Turner 1 (Dakota Krass 1), Hays/L.P. 1 (Judemia Gray 1); Team Fouls - Turner 14, Hays/L.P. 17; Fouled Out - None

Box Elder 58 Chinook 51

Box Elder 23 11 16 8 - 58

Chinook 11 17 6 17 - 51

Box Elder - Angela Gopher 3 2-2 9, Neferti Standing Rock 0 0-0 0, Kendra Gopher 1 0-0 2, Mariah Arkinson 2 0-0 5, Makeela Kelly 0 0-0 0, Taleigh Sunchild 0 0-2 0, Abria Small Bear 0 0-0 0, Brielle Sunchild 2 2-5 7, Mieya Sutherland 0 0-0 0, Ariel Gopher 0 0-0 0, Kyla Momberg 10 2-3 22, Breanna Bacon 5 0-0 13. Team Totals 23 6-12 58.

Chinook - Jade Cecrle 1 1-1 3, Bree Swanson 2 0-0 5, Britton Elliot 2 0-0 4, Anna Terry 1 0-0 2, Hallie Neibauer 10 5-7 25, Jayden Miller 2 2-4 8, Mya Berreth 0 0-0 0, Allison Powell 2 0-0 4. Team Totals 20 8-12 51.

Three Point Field Goals - Chinook 3 (Jayden Miller 2, Bree Swanson 1), Box Elder 6 (Breanna Bacon 3, Angela Gopher 1, Mariah Arkinson 1, Brielle Sunchild 1); Team Fouls - Box Elder 15, Chinook 13; Fouled Out - None.

Chinook 60 Chester/J-I 26

Chinook 16 18 13 13 - 60

Chester/J-I 7 3 8 8 - 26

Chinook - Jade Cecrle 0 0-2 0, Bree Swanson 2 1-2 6, Britton Elliot 3 1-4 7, Torin Cecrle 0 4-6 4, Anna Terry 2 0-0 4, Hallie Neibauer 9 3-5 21, Jayden Miller 1 3-4 6, Teagan Richman 0 0-0 0, Jenna Liddle 0 0-0 0, Mya Berreth 2 2-3 6, Allison Powell 2 1-2 5. Team Totals 21 16-27 60.

Chester/J-I - Averie Mattson 1 4-7 6, Molly Nelson 0 6-6 6, Haddie Woods 3 1-2 7, Shawna Osburn 0 0-2 0, Jayla LaVerdure 0 0-0 0, Sydney Hawks 0 0-0 0, Aaliyah Standiford 1 1-2 3, Emily Wickum 0 1-2 1, Aria Miller 1 1-2 3. Team Totals 6 14-29 26.

Three Point Field Goals - Chester/J-I 0 (0), Chinook 2 (Bree Swanson 1, Jayden Miller 1); Team Fouls - Chester/J-I 23, Chinook 17; Fouled Out - Chester/J-I, Haddie Woods, Emily Wickum.

Fort Benton 67 Turner 24

Fort Benton 8 21 23 15 - 67

Turner 7 10 1 6 - 24

Fort Benton - Casha Corder 0 0-0 0, Hailee Wang 3 1-1 7, Ashley Wang 7 1-2 15, Aspen Giese 6 0-4 12, Abby Clark 1 2-4 4, Samantha Vielleux 1 0-0 2, Maci Molinario 4 0-2 8, KyLynn Nack 0 0-0 0, Cloe Kalanick 3 0-0 6, Emerson Giese 6 0-0 13. Team Totals 31 4-13 67.

Turner - Dakota Krass 1 0-0 2, Emma Billmayer 0 1-2 1, Cassidy Grabofsky 1 0-0 2, Brandy Calvert 0 0-0 0, Brooke Reed 0 2-4 2, Shyan Krass 5 6-9 17, Hannah Richman 0 0-0 0, Meridian Snider 0 0-0 0, Katie Kimmel 0 0-0 0. Team Totals 7 9-15 24.

Three Point Field Goals - Turner 1 (Shyan Krass 1), Fort Benton 1 (Emerson Giese 1); Team Fouls - Turner 11, Fort Benton 11; Fouled Out - None

North Star 70 Hays/Lodge Pole 32

Hays/Lodge Pole 8 6 11 7 - 32

North Star 23 14 16 17 - 70

Hays/L.P. - Nashone Shambo 1 0-0 2, Ella Messerly 1 0-0 2, Judemia Gray 0 2-2 2, Kassie Perez 2 2-2 6, Sierra Chandler 3 1-6 7, Shailee Shambo 2 0-0 6, Destiny Webb 0 0-0 0, Nina Fox 0 1-2 1, Alliya Pretty Paint 1 0-0 2, Jaedyn Chandler 2 0-1 4, Janine Has The Eagle 0 0-0 0, Shaunte Hawley 0 0-0 0. Team Totals 12 6-13 32.

North Star - Laynie Sattoriva 6 1-7 13, Jade Wendland 7 5-10 23, Skyla Gilead 0 0-0 0, Kenidee Wolery 4 9-11 17, Laramie Peterson 1 0-0 2, Shayla Borlaug 6 1-3 13, Rainee Watson 1 0-2 2. Team Totals 25 16-33 70.

Three Point Field Goals - North Star 4 (Jade Wendland 4), Hays/L.P. 2 (Alliya Pretty Paint 1); Team Fouls - North Star 14, Hays/L.P. 22; Fouled Out - Hays/L.P., Sierra Chandler

Turner 56 Chinook 43

Turner 12 18 11 15 - 56

Chinook 7 11 18 7 - 43

Turner - Dakota Krass 2 2-5 7, Emma Billmayer 1 1-2 3, Cassidy Grabofsky 0 0-0 0, Brandy Calvert 1 1-2 3, Brooke Reed 5 1-2 11, Shyan Krass 15 1-1 32, Hannah Richman 0 0-0 0, Meridian Snider 0 0-0 0, Katie Kimmel 0 0-0 0. Team Totals 24 6-12 56.

Chinook - Jade Cecrle 2 0-0 4, Bree Swanson 3 1-3 7, Britton Elliot 3 3-4 9, Anna Terry 0 0-0 0, Hallie Neibauer 0 2-2 2, Jayden Miller 6 5-7 18, Mya Berreth 0 0-0 0, Allison Powell 1 1-4 3. Team Totals 15 12-20 43.

Three Point Field Goals - Chinook 1 (Jayden Miller 1),Turner 2 (Shyan Krass 1, Dakota Krass 1); Team Fouls - Chinook 15, Turner 16; Fouled Out - None.

Hays/Lodge Pole 56 Chester/J-I 39

Chester/J-I 1 11 11 16 - 39

Hays/Lodge Pole 19 15 13 9 - 56

Chester/J-I - Averie Mattson 4 4-6 12, Molly Nelson 3 1-2 9, Haddie Woods 2 4-8 8, Shawna Osburn 0 2-2 2, Jayla LaVerdure 1 0-2 2, Sydney Hawks 0 0-0 0, Aaliyah Standiford 0 2-4 2, Emily Wickum 1 0-0 2, Aria Miller 1 0-0 2. Team Totals 12 13-24 39.

Hays/Lodge Pole freshman Alliya Pretty Paint scored 14 points and knocked down a pair of triples in the Thunderbirds 56-39 win over Chester/Joplin-Inverness Saturday afternoon.

Hays/L.P. - Nashone Shambo 4 1-2 9, Ella Messerly 2 3-4 7, Judemia Gray 1 0-0 2, Kassie Perez 3 0-0 7, Sierra Chandler 4 1-2 9, Shailee Shambo 0 0-0 0, Angela Blackcrow 0 0-0 0, Nina Fox 0 0-0 0, Alliya Pretty Paint 6 0-0 14, Jaedyn Chandler 2 0-0 6, Janine Has The Eagle 0 0-0 0, Shaunte Hawley 1 0-2 2. Team Totals 18 5-10 56.

Three Point Field Goals - Hays/L.P. 5 (Alliya Pretty Paint 2, Jaedyn Chandler 2, Kassie Perez 1), Chester/J-I 2 (Molly Nelson 2); Team Fouls - Hays/L.P. 20, Chester/J-I 13; Fouled Out - Chester/J-I, Jayla LaVerdure.