Chinook set to move back to Class B in 2023-24
'Beeters tentatively set to join the District 1B for Volleyball, Basketball and Track & Field, Remain in Northern C for Football
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The Montana High School Association recently held their spring meeting and made their decision regarding school reclassification, realignment and a number of other topics. The Chinook Sugarbeeters were amongst those schools designated for reclassification following the conclusion of the meetings.
The Sugarbeeters along with Darby, Ennis, Fairview, Lone Peek and Superior will move from Class C to Class B for basketball, volleyball, track and field and golf.
Chinook would remain in the Eastern B/C division for Wrestling as well as the Northern B/C for Tennis. All six school designated to move to Class B will remain in their current 8-player Class C Football Divisions.
The Sugarbeeters are tentatively slated to join the District 1B for Basketball, Volleyball and Track & Field. The District 1B currently includes teams from Fairfield, Choteau, Conrad, Cut Bank, Rocky Boy and Shelby. Choteau, Shelby and Rocky Boy are also members of the 8-Player Northern C Football Division.
On the surface, the biggest change for the school will be mileage. Currently the Sugarbeeters farthest conference trip is less than 90 miles (Fort Benton) one way, with most just an hour away. Trips to Choteau, Fairfield, Shelby, Conrad and Cut Bank all surpass 120 miles. The closest would be Rocky Boy and there would be one less road conference game.
Competitively the 'Beeters have performed exceptionally well against current
Class B teams from Malta, Shelby, Wolf Point, Harlem, Conrad, Cut Bank and Glasgow in Volleyball as they play them each year in round robin tournaments. In Basketball the Northern C and Northern B have been evenly competitive through the years.
The MHSA also extended the Tennis season by one week to have its State Championship played the same weekend as other sports. Changes/clarifications were also made to the addition of a Shot Clock and to Girls Wrestling. Information can be found on the MHSA website.
As more information becomes available the Blaine County Journal will inform our readers.
