Thunderbirds Rollin', Thump Turner, Chester/J-I
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Hays/Lodge Pole senior Jaedyn Chandler scores against Turner Friday night.
The Hays/Lodge Pole Thunderbirds are on a roll. After starting the season with a stretch that saw them lose a trio of heart breakers they have redeemed themselves with lopsided wins the second go around.
This past weekend they were impressive. Friday the Thunderbirds headed to Turner to take on the Tornadoes. Hays/Lodge Pole established control early and coasted to a 62-37 win. Saturday the team headed west to take on the Chester/Joplin-Inverness Hawks and again turned in a solid effort claiming a 54-36 win.
Friday in Turner the Thunderbirds turned in a total team effort. All nine players played and found the scoring column with six scoring at least six. Hay/Lodge Pole opened up a 16-7 lead after eight minutes of action and pushed the advantage to 32-13 by the halftime break.
Junior Nashone Shambo and sophomore Alliya Pretty Paint each scored from distance while senior Jaedyn Chandler found the mark twice in powering the Thunderbirds attack. Hays/Lodge Pole didn't let up after the break and secured a 62-37 win. Chandler tallied 14 markers, Shambo added 12 and Pretty Paint finished with 10 on the night.
Against the Hawks Saturday, it was more of the same. Again Hays/Lodge Pole was balanced and steady in their attack, Chandler, Pretty Paint and Shambo each knocked down a triple to set the tone and their teammates did their part to follow the game plan. Hays/Lodge Pole secured a 54-36 win with Pretty Paint scoring 15, Chandler 11 and Shambo 10.
Thunderbird sophomore Alliya Pretty Paint glides in for an easy bucket Friday night. Hays/Lodge Pole defeated the Tornadoes 62-37 with Pretty Paint scoring 10.
Hays/Lodge Pole continues to climb the District 9C standings and with this weeks wins improve to 6-4 on conference play and 10-4 overall. The Thunderbirds will look to move up a spot in the final week of the season.
Monday the Thunderbirds hosted the Chinook Sugarbeeters and Tuesday they welcomed the Big Sandy Pioneers to the Thunderdome. The North Star Knights come to Hays Thursday in another huge conference clash and finally Hays/Lodge Pole closes out the regular season Saturday at home against the Box Elder Bears.
The busy week could see the Thunderbirds move up to at least the No.3 seed heading into the District 9C Tournament, and possibly the No. 2 if they catch a few breaks.
The District 9C Tournament will be played February 16-19 at the Havre High School Gymnasium. The top three teams will advance to the Northern C Divisional in Great Falls the following week.
