Thunderbirds Fly by Dodson, fall 56-44 to Box Elder
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Hays/Lodge Pole freshman Nina Fox has made quite an impact on the Thunderbird program. Fox was a solid contributor a season ago as an eighth grader and is playing a much larger roll this winter. Fox scored eight points in two games this week.
The season may just be reaching its mid-point, and as a result the Hays/Lodge Pole Thunderbirds are looking to capitalize every time they take the court. The Thunderbirds began the week with a non-conference 57-31 win at home over the Dodson Coyotes. Friday the team was in Box Elder to challenge the Bears in a huge District 9C clash.
Against the Coyotes the Thunderbirds defense took center stage, limiting the Coyotes to just a pair of first quarter free throws. The offense was a bit sluggish, but Hays/Lodge Pole still took a 12-2 advantage into the second quarter.
Senior Jaedyn Chandler and sophomore Alliya Pretty Paint combined for 14 second quarter points and freshman Shailee Shambo knocked down the first of three trifecta's to give the Thunderbirds a 35-9 halftime advantage.
Hays/Lodge Pole spread their offense out in the third quarter. Shambo connected from distance and scored five. Chandler knocked down a long three of her own and senior Tahtianna Morgan got in the act with a triple of her own. The Thunderbirds rolled through the second half taking a 50-16 lead into the fourth and never looking back.
Hays/Lodge Pole completed the season sweep of the Coyotes with a 57-31 win. Chandler again led the way with 14 markers. Shambo finished with 11 points. Pretty Paint added eight and Morgan seven.
Saturday the Thunderbirds were in Box Elder challenging the Bears who currently sit atop the District 9C.
The Thunderbirds were ready to give the Bears their best shot right from the opening tip. Chandler kept the Thunderbirds in striking distance early on with six first quarter points, but the Bears had managed 21 first quarter points to open up a 10 point lead early on.
Hays/Lodge Pole did a nice job reigning in the Bear attack the remainder of the contest, limiting their looks while playing solid defense but cutting into the deficit would take some timely offense as well.
Chandler added five more points in the second and freshman Angela Blackcrow scored a couple of big baskets for the Thunderbirds before the break. Box Elder matched the effort point for point and maintained a 31-21 halftime advantage.
The Thunderbirds continued to battle the Bears after the break. Chandler scored a deep three to cut into the deficit and knocked down three of four from the charity stripe. Hays/Lodge Pole had trimmed the Bear lead to single digits entering the fourth quarter, 43-34.
Box Elder has tremendous experience and were able to hold off the Thunderbirds the final eight minutes, securing a hard fought 56-44 win.
Hays/Lodge Pole was again led by the efforts of Chandler who finished with 19 points. Junior Nashone Shambo finished the contest with nine points and Blackcrow ended with six.
