Hays/Lodge Pole Thumps Turner 84-64 to Pick up First Conference Win

The Hays/Lodge Pole Thunderbirds celebrated their seniors before the games started and ended it by celebrating a dominating win over the visiting Turner Tornadoes. In the first meeting between the two teams in Turner on January 13 it was Turner that cruised to a 78-33 blow out of the Thunderbirds. This time around it was Hays/Lodge Pole that cruised to victory.

The Thunderbirds were without a couple key players in the first contest and their presence was felt early on. Senior William Has Eagle dropped in a pair from beyond the arc in the first quarter helping the Thunderbirds take a 15-9 lead. Junior Trent Billmayer provided the offense for the Tornadoes, scoring all nine points.

Senior Cash Messerly scored inside to put Hays/LP up 17-11. Sophomore Tate Beck dropped in a three ball for the Tornadoes and junior Ryan Doyle followed with a steal and easy layup to bring Turner back within one, 17-16. The teams continued to match each other point for point for the next several possessions.

Senior Davontae Sullivan grabbed a rebound underneath, spun and connected, Junior Jacoby Ball added another put back moments later to give the Thunderbirds a slim 27-24 lead. Turner closed out the half with a bit of a flurry. Senior Charlie Calvert drew a charge which immediately fired up the offense. Sophomore Caleb Zellmer hit a corner three to even the score a 27-27.

Hays/Lodge Pole got another bucket inside from Ball to start and then he closed out the half with an old fashioned three point play to put Hays/LP on top 33-27 at the break. The Thunderbirds were fired up coming out to start the second half and wasted little time getting the offense going. Senior Daniel Henry connected twice from long range and 13 in the third quarter. Has Eagle was money from distance as well dropping in a couple long threes and adding 10 points leading the Thunderbirds to a 26 point outburst to take a 59-33 lead into the fourth quarter.

Hays/Lodge Pole cruised down the stretch and walked away with their first conference win of the season, 84-64 over the Tornadoes. The Thunderbirds were led on the night by Henry with 23 points. Messerly added 18 and Has Eagle tossed in 23. Turner was paced offensively by Doyle with 19, 14 of which came in the fourth quarter.

The Thunderbirds will close out the regular season on Saturday in Box Elder. Turner will host the Big Sandy Pioneers on Friday and then head to Gildford on Saturday to take on the North Star Knights.