The Chinook Sugarbeeters are once again District 9C Champions, in their final season before moving to the District 1B next fall. The 'Beeters claimed the title after defeating the Turner Tornadoes, Box Elder Bears and North Star Knights in succession to improve to 21-0 on the season.

Chinook will now head to the Northern C Divisional in Great Falls this week being played at the Four Seasons Arena. The 'Beeters will begin their tournament run Thursday morning against the District 10C No. 2 Seed Cascade Badgers at 9:30 am.

The winner of that contest will move on to face the winner between the District 8C No. 1 Seed Roy/Winifred Outlaws and the District 10C No. 3 Seed Augusta Elk Friday afternoon at 4:00 pm.

A week after going down to the wire to earn a hard fought 44-43 win over the No. 2 Seed North Star Knights just a week earlier, the 'Beeters were certainly prepared to face them once again, this time for the District 9C title.

The championship started with a flurry of action deserving of a title contest. Senior Bree Swanson connected from distance and scored five first quarter points to help Chinook take a 14-12 lead into the second quarter.

North Star continued to stay step for step with the 'Beeters. Junior Hallie Neibauer got free for a couple of buckets and a couple of three-point bombs by sophomore Alexus Seymour allowed Chinook to push their lead to four by halftime, 27-23.

The 'Beeters continued to play solid team defense after the break getting solid contributions from sophomore Hannah Schoen, senior Torin Cecrle and junior Mya Berreth.

The third quarter was a defensive battle with Chinook totaling seven points with four coming from Berreth. The 'Beeter defense limited the Knights to just six in the frame giving Chinook a 34-29 lead heading into the fourth.

With a title on the line both teams maintained their composure and looked for the best opportunity to score, in the end the 'Beeters were able to stay the course while their pressure finally broke the Knights' will.

With time winding down the 'Beeters did what they do best, turn defense into offense. Seymour made back to back steals at half court leading directly to quick points and Chinook forced five straight North Star turnovers to push a 34-31 lead to double digits late in the contest.

The 'Beeters had all the momentum down the stretch and walked away with a 47-33 win over the Knights. Seymour led the offensive attack with 18 points on the night while also grabbing six rebounds. Neibauer scored eight for the 'Beeters and corralled 11 rebounds.

The 'Beeters began the District 9C Tournament with a comfortable 52-15 win over the Turner Tornadoes. Chinook took control right from the opening tip. Junior Hallie Neibauer knocked down a triple just :14 into the contest and then buried a 35' bomb as the buzzer sounded to end the first quarter with Chinook on top 13-3

Chinook would lead 34-2 at the break and coasted to a 52-15 win to advance to the semifinal Thursday night. Neibauer led four 'Beeters in double figures with 11 points. Swanson scored 10 and grabbed nine boards while Seymour and Schoen each added 10 to the 'Beeter tally.

In the semifinal the 'Beeters took on the No. 5 Seed Box Elder Bears. The Bears challenged the 'Beeter defense a bit early but Chinook still led 23-14 after one. The 'Beeters took control in the second to lead 40-19 at the break and coasted to another lopsided win, 68-27 over the Bears.

Seymour led the attack with 18 points and four steals. Neibauer added 13 points and nine rebounds while Swanson scored 12 and secured 6 rebounds.

Chinook Head Coach Mike Jones summarized his teams performance, "I thought the girls have worked really hard this summer and season to achieve some goals that we set forth for this season. We won the Conference and the District Tournament."

Junior Mya Berreth scores a big bucket late in the 'Beeters 47-33 win over the Knights in the Championship Friday night.

Jones talks about the Northern C Tournament, "We open with Cascade Thursday morning, we saw them last year at Divisionals too." He goes on to say, "I love coaching this bunch of girls, they work really hard, they are unselfish, and they are extremely mentally tough. The Northern C tournament is always extremely tough and we are excited to get to compete and represent Chinook next week."