The Hays/Lodge Pole Thunderbirds have found their rhythm and it's starting to show up in the win column. The girls had some tough losses early on against District 9C foes, but as the season has progressed they are certainly finding their stride.

Following an untimely week off due to Covid-19 restrictions the Thunderbirds were back on the court this past Friday as they welcomed the Fort Benton Longhorns to town in a huge District 9C contest.

In the first meeting between the two teams the Longhorns jumped out to a big lead by intermission and despite a valiant second half effort the Thunderbirds were dealt a tough 50-45 setback. The second meeting was much different as a vastly improved Thunderbird team squashed the Longhorns 52-32.

Head Coach Corey Morgan certainly had his team prepared to handle the visiting Longhorns attack. The first part of the game plan was to ensure the visitors didn't get off to a quick start and force the Thunderbirds to play catch up as they did the first go around.

Senior Jaedyn Chandler led the Thunderbird attack on both sides of the court. Hays/Lodge Pole applied and executed a suffocating defense that limited the Longhorns to just five first quarter points.

Chandler ignited the offense with a long three ball and junior Nashone Shambo dropped in a couple of buckets of her own. Five Thunderbirds found the scoring column early on as a balanced offensive attack led to a 14-5 Thunderbird lead at the end of the first quarter.

Hays/Lodge Pole maintained their aggressive style of play in the second stanza. Chandler added six points to her tally with a pair of field goals and a couple of free throws, scoring six in the frame. Shambo added a deep three before the break, sending the home team to the locker room with a 27-13 lead at the half. The halftime score was a complete reversal of the first meeting where it was the Longhorns with a similar advantage (29-13).

Having made a strong second half comeback themselves the Thunderbirds were determined to not let the Longhorns do the same. The defense did its job and limited the opportunities for Fort Benton in a low scoring third quarter. However the offense struggled scoring just six points.

The fourth quarter began with Hays/Lodge Pole holding a tenuous ten point lead, 33-23. Chandler and sophomore Alliya Pretty Paint both drilled long three-point bombs to kick start the offense for the Thunderbirds.

Maintaining their attacking style of play, Pretty Paint scored a pair of nice buckets going to the basket and Chandler knocked down her fourth trifecta of the contest in leading the way to a 19 point fourth quarter effort by the Thunderbirds and a 52-32 win over the Longhorns.

Chandler led all scorers on the night with 21 points, including the four from distance. Pretty Paint finished with 14 points in the win.

The Thunderbirds moved up to fourth in the standings, 4-4 in District 9C play and 8-4 overall. Hays/Lodge Pole has rescheduled games postponed due to Covid-19 and they include contest with two teams ahead of them in the standings.

Senior Tahtianna Morgan works for position in the paint Friday night

The Thunderbirds will make up their game against Chinook on Monday, February 7 and North Star on Thursday, February 10, both games will be in the Thunderdome. The Thunderbirds will have the opportunity to avenge narrow losses to both teams as they did Fort Benton.

Hays/Lodge Pole will play regularly scheduled games in Turner this Friday and at Chester on Saturday.