The Hays Lodge/Pole Thunderbirds were in Gildford Friday night where they suffered a 51-39 setback to the North star Knights. Saturday the Thunderbirds were in Big Sandy to take on the Pioneers where they were defeated 54-38.

Senior Tyshawn Shambo scored all six first quarter points for the Thunderbirds against North Star Friday night. North Star scored 16 in the opening stanza to lead the Thunderbirds by ten early on.

Hays/Lodge Pole stayed with the Knights the remainder of the contest but were unable to cut into the first quarter deficit.

Shambo added five more in the second and seven in the third quarter keeping the Thunderbirds in the game, trailing 39-27 entering the fourth quarter. Shambo finished with six more in the fourth but it wasn’t enough as Hays/Lodge Pole took a 51-39 loss. Shambo finished with 24 points in the contest.

Saturday in Big Sandy the Thunderbirds again relied heavily on Shambo to keep them in the game. Shambo score eight early as Hays/Lodge Pole led 14-13 at the end of one. Big Sandy took the lead 20-16 at the half, limiting the Thunderbirds to just two second quarter points.

The Pioneers extended their lead to 36-24 at the end of the third and secured a 54-38 win by games end.

Shambo again led the Thunderbird attack with 18 points in the contest with eight points coming in the fourth quarter.

The Thunderbirds closed out 2021 with games on Monday in Fort Benton and on Tuesday in Chinook. Results from both those contest will be in next weeks Blaine County Journal.

The Thunderbirds will return to the court January 7 when they will host the Turner Tornadoes in their home opener. The Chester/Joplin-Inverness Hawks will be in town the following night.