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

The 'Beeter boys basketball team went 1-1 at the Coyote Preseason Tip Off Tournament in Shelby getting some good early season non-conference experience.

Chinook looked to turn that team growth into a strong showing on the court when they opened their District 9C Conference this past weekend. The boys were in Big Sandy Friday night to take on the Pioneers. Saturday the team once again headed west, this time to take on the Bears in Box Elder.

Chinook began the season with some good non conference action in Shelby at the Coyote Preseason Tip off tournament. The' Beeters looked to build on that early season experience when they opened the conference schedule.

Senior Oskar Pula scored the first bucket of the game for the 'Beeters and senior Braden Eoff added another in the opening stanza. Big Sandy scored 11 in the frame to lead by seven entering the second quarter.

Pula, along with senior Toby Niederegger each scored four before the half to keep Chinook close 21-16 at the break.

Chinook rallied in the third quarter, trimming the Pioneer lead to one, 32-31 with eight minutes remaining in regulation.

Big Sandy was able to hold on late and hand the 'Beeters a tough 44-40 loss to start District 9C play.

Niederegger paced the way for the 'Beeter offense with 13 points on the night. Pula finished with 10 in the loss.

Saturday the 'Beeters were looking to bounce back in grand fashion as they took on the Bears in Box Elder.

Fetter opened the scoring with a bank two to give the 'Beeters a quick 2-0 lead just seconds into the contest. The pace was frantic early, both teams attacked the floor with abandon. Fetter added a scoop lay-up to give Chinook an early 6-0 lead and a timeout. Niederegger took a cross court pass from Fetter and drained a long three. Pula scored again going to the basket as the lead ballooned to 11-0. Eoff added a steal and a layup and the offense was cruising, leading 13-0.

The Bears finally connected from the field with a pair of three point bombs bookending another Pula basket to set the score at 15-6 Chinook with 3:00 left in the opening quarter.

The 'Beeters took a 20-10 lead into the second quarter of action. Five different 'Beeters scored in the opening stanza leading a balanced 'Beeter attack.

The Bears cut the lead back to eight quickly to start the quarter. After the teams traded empty possessions Box Elder scored again to make the score 20-14 with two-minutes gone in the quarter.

Eoff scored his sixth point of the contest to push the lead back to eight 28-20 and Pula scored in the paint moments later for a 30-22 'Beeter lead.

The Bears finished strong connecting from beyond the arc and converting a bucket and one to trim the lead to 34-30. Following a change of possession the Bears then drained another three ball with time winding down to make the halftime score 34-33 in favor of the 'Beeters.

The Bears rode the momentum gained at the end of the first half into the second. Chinook was out scored 14-5 in the third quarter and found themselves in a hole down 47-39 heading into the fourth quarter.

The 'Beeter offense put up 21 in the fourth, but Box Elder scored 23 to hand Chinook a tough 70-60 loss. The 'Beeters were led on the night by Niederegger with 21 points. Pula added 15 to the 'Beeter total while Fetter notched 10.

Chinook hosted the Hays/Lodge Pole Thunderbirds this Tuesday and results will be in next weeks edition of the Blaine County Journal.

The 'Beeters will make their return to the court in the new year when they travel to Harlem on January 7 to take on the Wildcats. The 'Beeters will host the Turner Tornadoes the following night.