We've Got The County Covered
We've Got The County Covered
Chinook senior Levi Jensen scores a fourth quarter basket as the 'Beeters made a late run against the Shelby Coyotes Saturday night. The 'Beeter fell just short, falling 57-51. Chinook will start District 9C play this Friday in Big sandy and will welcome the Box Elder Bears to town Saturday night for their home opener.
The Chinook Sugarbeeters took to the court for the first time this season at the Coyote Class Preseason Tip Off Tournament in Shelby this past weekend. Thursday afternoon the 'Beeters fell to the Cut Bank Wolves 75-47. In the tournaments final game Saturday night the 'Beeters turned in a valiant effort against the host Shelby Coyotes before falling 57-51 to start the season 0-2.
The Sugarbeeters took the court Thursday afternoon with a lineup that featured two returning starters from a season ago, one with quality varsity experience and two new starters seeing their first significant varsity action. Despite their youth the 'Beeters did their best to stay with the Wolves early on.
Cut Bank took an early lead but the Sugarbeeters got four points from sophomore Carson Nissen and four from junior Jackson Nordboe to stay within Striking distance, trailing 19-12 heading into the second quarter.
The Wolves started to build on the lead in the second quarter taking a seven point lead and turning it into an 18 point, 44-26 advantage by intermission. Chinook fought hard in the third and fourth quarters but were unable to cut into the Cut Bank lead. The Wolves kept attacking and earned a 75-45 win over the 'Beeters to start the season.
Chinook was led in the contest by senior Brenden Fetter with 11 points. Nordboe added nine and Nissen and senior Braxton Inman each finished with six. In all eight players found the scoring column.
Saturday the 'Beeters returned to the court to take on the hometown Shelby Coyotes in the final game of the Coyote Classic. Head coach, Chad Jones had his team prepared to challenge the Coyotes and early on they did just that.
Chinook stormed out to a quick 8-0 lead getting a couple of baskets from Nissen to start the game. Following a timeout the Coyotes responded with a run of their own to take a 12-8 lead heading into the second quarter. Shelby would push the lead to 12 before the 'Beeters started battling back. Senior Levi Jenson scored on a pair of baskets before the half and senior Flint Annis added three points to keep Chinook close, trailing 26-21 at the break.
The second half was a steady back and forth contest with neither team able to change the flow of the game. Both defenses played well while the Sugarbeeters crashed the boards effectively. The Coyotes were able to answer mini runs made by the 'Beeters with a long three or a cut down the lane.
The Sugarbeeters outscored the Coyotes 12-11 in the third quarter to trail 37-33 with eight minutes left on the clock. The 'Beeters kept coming at the Coyotes and again just when it looked like they were about to turn the corner and take the lead, Shelby found a way to score a basket or draw a foul. After closing the gap to 53-51 late the Coyotes were able to convert from the charity stripe and secure a 57-51 win to hand the 'Beeters their second loss to start the season.
Annis and Nissen each scored 10 points to lead the 'Beeter attack. Nordboe scored nine and Fetter added eight to the 'Beeter total. Coach Jones said afterwords, "The Shelby tournament is always a good test of where we're at. Thursdays game was tough and showed us some weak spots in our defense and issues in our offensives sets. We cleaned some of that up on Friday at practice and it showed in our Saturday night game. We still have some things to clean up but will be ready for conference play next weekend."
Chinook will open their conference schedule this Friday with a road trip to Big Sandy to take on the Pioneers. The 'Beeters will host the Box Elder Bears on Saturday in their home opener. Chinook will close out 2022 with a road contest in Hays against the Thunderbirds on Wednesday, December 21.
