The Blaine County Journal News-Opinion - We've Got The County Covered

The Chinook Sugarbeeters are headed to their first ever Class C State Girls Basketball Tournament after defeating the Fort Benton Longhorns in a Challenge Game Monday afternoon 49-38. Chinook will be the North No. 2 and will open their State Tournament on Wednesday, March 8 at 7:30 pm against the No. 1 East. Who that will be is yet to be decided as the Eastern C Divisional is being played this week. The 'Beeters won two Class B State titles in 1985 and 1986 and finished second to Great Falls High in the Class A title game in 1974

The Sugarbeeters had to take the long road to punch their ticket to state, needing five games to accomplish the feat. The Sugarbeeters began their Northern C tournament with a 62-39 thumping of the Cascade Badgers. In the semifinal the 'Beeters played a spirited contest but fell for the first time this season to the Roy/Winifred Outlaws 45-38. Chinook showed a lot of character bouncing back with a 48-40 win over the North Star Knights despite a quick turnaround and an 8:00 am start.

In the Consolation final the 'Beeters jumped out to a 20-4 lead over the Belt Huskies and never looked back, keeping their hopes alive with a 55-39 win to earn the right to challenge Fort Benton Monday afternoon. Chinook took full advantage of the opportunity presented and secured a spot in the State C Tournament with a 48-37 win over the Longhorns.

Chinook -- Fort Benton (Challenge 2nd)

The Sugarbeeters got the quick start they were looking for by turning defense into offense. Senior Bree Swanson made a nice steal on the Longhorn's opening possession eventually getting the ball to sophomore Alexus Seymour in the corner for a three point bucket. Junior Mya Berreth made a great play on the inbounds swiping the ball and finishing at the rim for a quick 5-0 'Beeter lead.

Sophomore Hannah Schoen soon scored off an offensive rebound and again taking a great drop pass from Berreth and finishing at the basket for a 9-2 lead and a Longhorn timeout. The Longhorns trimmed the lead to 10-8, but Neibauer attacked the basket on the baseline with authority to put Chinook up 12-8 at the end of the first quarter.

Chinook pushed the lead to 21-14 quickly in the second but the Longhorns stepped up the defensive pressure and cut the lead to 21-19. Berreth took a charge to ignite the 'Beeters and Swanson knocked down a long three. The Longhorns were called for a foul after the basket giving the ball back to Chinook with a 24-19 lead with :45 left in the half. Seymour beat the Longhorns to the basket with just one tick left on the clock for a 26-19 Chinook lead at the break.

The Longhorns came out firing to start the second half, turning defense into offense themselves to even the score at 26-26 leading to a 'Beeter timeout. Schoen set a good screen allowing Berreth to score to give the 'Beeters back the lead only to see Fort Benton answer with another triple to take a 29-28 lead. Swanson grabs the offensive rebound and is fouled on put back and hits both free throws to give Chinook back a 30-29 lead at the two minute mark of the third quarter.

The 'Beeter held the same 30-29 lead to start the fourth and looked to clean things up after a rather sloppy third quarter from both teams. Seymour battle for the loose ball under the basket and was fouled going up for a shot. Seymour calmly hit on both to push the lead to 32-29. Schoen scores off an offensive rebound on the 'Beeters next possession to extend the lead to five, 34-29. Berreth scores underneath with a strong move to keep the momentum going for the offense, Berreth fouled on the play and hit the free throw making the lead 37-29. Neibauer again comes up big on the defensive end with another steal. Swanson made the most of the possession scoring once again with 4:20 left on the clock and a 39-29 lead.

Schoen fouled on another offensive rebound and draws a foul heading back to the line where she connects on 1-2 to push the lead to nine, 41-32. Schoen fouled on another offensive rebound and draws a foul heading back to the line where she connects on 1-2 to push the lead to nine, 41-32. Schoen again collects the offensive rebound and hits from the charity stripe to push the lead back to 44-34 after hitting on both attempts. Seymour went 4-4 from the line late to extend the lead to 11 at 48-37, providing the final points of the contest. Seymour led the way with 15 points while Schoen added 11 and eight rebounds added, six on the offensive glass. Swanson finished with 10 points and eight rebounds on the night.

Chinook 55 Belt 39 (3rd Place)

The 'Beeters started the consolation final on fire. Swanson got Chinook on the board with a bucket underneath off a great feed from Schoen. Neibauer quickly followed with a strong move to the basket and Seymour converted an offensive rebound into points for a quick 6-0 lead. The vaunted 'Beeter defense was in full lock down mode forcing the Huskies into turnovers nearly every trip down the court.

Seymour took a pass from Berreth and drained a right elbow three to keep the momentum going. Berreth found Seymour again on the 'Beeters next possession for a straight away three ball to extend the lead to 12-0 with 4:12 left in the opening quarter. Seymour added a bucket in the paint and then found Swanson on the baseline for a 16-1 Chinook lead. The 'Beeters took a 20-4 lead into the second quarter and were in complete control of the contest.

Berreth started the second with another dime, this time into Schoen on the low block for a bucket. The defense didn't allow the Huskies to inbound the ball forcing yet another turnover and further frustrating the Belt offense. Neibauer and Seymour both scored in the paint leading to another long ball from Seymour and a 29-13 'Beeter lead. Chinook closed out the half with a great pass from Neibauer to Swanson down low and a floater in the paint with time winding down for a 34-20 halftime lead.

Belt scored first to start the second half bringing them as close as they had been since the first quarter 34-22 but Chinook responded with a Neibauer score and Seymour's fourth triple to push the lead back to 17, 39-22.

Schoen converted an offensive rebound into points just before senior Torin Cecrle fought for an offensive rebound and delivered the ball to Neibauer to give Chinook their biggest lead of the contest 48-27. The 'Beeters coasted down the stretch and kept their hopes of earning a challenge game opportunity with a 55-39 win. Seymour led the way with 23 points on the night including five from beyond the arc to go along with seven rebounds. Neibauer finished with 16 points and secured nine boards while Swanson had 10 points and 11 rebounds. Berreth was efficient delivering the ball to the scorers with eight assists on the night.

Chinook 48 North Star 40 (Loser Out)

The Chinook Sugarbeeters and North Star Knights met bright and early Saturday morning with an 8:00 am start. Chinook entered with three wins against the Knights and were determined to make it four. North Star as always put up a fight and certainly made the 'Beeters earn everything they got.

Swanson started the scoring with a left elbow jumper and followed moments later with an offensive rebound and score to give Chinook a 4-0 lead early on. The Knights quickly answered with five straight points to take their first lead of the contest, 5-4. Berreth scored on a strong attack and knocked down a free throw to retake the lead 7-5. Swanson closed out the first with a pair of free throws to give Chinook a 9-8 lead at the end of one.

North Star scored seven straight to start the second quarter before Neibauer connected from distance to stem the tide. Neibauer added another triple moments later to cut the North Star lead to 17-15 with 4:54 left in the half. Chinook stayed with the Knights with time winding down in the half getting a basket from Berreth to cut the deficit to 25-24 heading into halftime.

The teams matched each other point for point in the third quarter with each scoring eight points in the frame. The Knights began the fourth quarter with a tenuous 33-32 lead. Chinook has shown the ability to answer the challenge late in contests this season and Saturday morning was a perfect example of the 'Beeters taking victory from their opponent.

Neibauer drained a long two point bucket, Schoen and Neibauer each converted offensive rebounds into points and suddenly Chinook held a 38-34 lead. North Star responded with a three of their own but Chinook was up for the challenge closing out the contest with a 10-3 run to secure a 48-40 win and advance to the consolation final. Neibauer paced the 'Beeter attack with 15 points while Seymour added 10 points and eight rebounds. Swanson finished with nine points and grabbed seven rebounds to help the 'Beeters pick up the win.

Roy/Winifred 45 Chinook 37 (Semifinal)

In the marquee game of the tournament the 8C No. 1 Seed Roy/Winifred Outlaws (21-1) and the 9C No. 1 Seed Chinook Sugarbeeters (22-0) met in a semifinal that many had circled on the calendar way back in December. The Outlaws entered with just one loss on the season a 43-37 setback Class C State No. 1 Saco/Whitewater on December 10, 2022. Chinook entered a perfect 22-0, having been seriously tested just once on the season, a 44-43 win over North Star in the final week of the regular season. The semifinal kept fans glued to the action from start to finish of a tough 45-37 'Beeter loss to the Outlaws. The Sugarbeeters played valiantly start to finish and overcame a slow start to get themselves back in the game.

The Outlaws jumped out to a quick 5-0 lead before Chinook got on the board with a pass from Berreth to Swanson for a mid range jumper. Roy/Winifred pushed the lead to 10-2 before the 'Beeter defense began to take over. Chinook scored the next 12 points of the contest getting a three ball from Swanson off a pass from Cecrle to go with a triple and nine points from Neibauer to take a 14-10 lead. The 'Beeter defense held the Outlaws scoreless for 6:04 before they scored on a couple of free throws with 6:28 left in the half.

The 'Beeters found themselves in some foul trouble before the break and turned to their bench to get some big minutes. Junior Jenna Liddle knocked down a pair from the charity stripe and Cecrle made some huge plays on the defensive end while securing loose balls and fighting for rebounds. Neibauer added her second triple of the contest midway through the quarter off a pass from Berreth to put Chinook up 19-14 with 4:12 left on the clock. The Outlaws closed out the quarter by scoring the final seven points too earn a 21-19 halftime advantage.

The teams traded buckets early in the third. Neibauer scored off an inbound from Swanson to answer a Roy/Winifred bucket and Seymour responded to another Outlaw score with a NBA three point bucket from the top of the arc to trim the deficit to 25-24. Roy/Winifred score six straight before Neibauer connected from 15' to bring Chinook within five 31-26 heading into the fourth quarter.

Swanson started the fourth with a strong finish to a 'Beeter fast break and Schoen added a couple of buckets inside to keep Chinook within a possession, trailing 33-32 with 6:21 remaining. Roy/Winifred slowly stretched the lead 43-35 before Neibauer hit from 30' late in the game. Roy Winifred added a couple from the free throw line in the final seconds to make the final score 45-38.

Chinook was led in the contest by Neibauer with 22 points on 9 for 14 shooting from the field. Swanson added seven points and eight rebounds to the 'Beeter effort.

Chinook 62 Cascade 39 (1st Round)

The Chinook Sugarbeeters kicked off their final Northern C Divisional Tournament bright and early Thursday morning with a 9:30 am tip off against the Cascade Badgers. The early start didn't deter the 'Beeters at all as they got off to the quick start they were looking for and cruised to an opening round 62-39 win.

Junior Mya Berreth got the 'Beeters on the board just moments into the contest and sophomore Alexus followed with a bucket in the paint for a quick 4-0 lead with 6:02 left in the opening frame. Junior Hallie Neibauer added a basket inside a few possessions later to keep the momentum going. Seymour then attacked the basket and made a nice pass down low to sophomore Hannah Schoen as she rolled to the basket to give Chinook an 8-0 advantage.

The Badgers finally got on the board with 4:30 left on the first quarter clock. Chinook answered moments later with Seymour connecting twice after being fouled hard going to the basket. Neibauer asserted herself down low collecting the offensive rebound and scoring to push the lead to double digits, 12-2. Senior Bree Swanson fought for the defensive rebound beneath the Badger basket turned and raced the distance of the court for a layup on the other end. Neibauer closed out the opening quarter with a pair of buckets to extend the lead to 18-2. Cascade scored just as the quarter came to a close to give the 'Beeters an 18-4 advantage heading into the second quarter.

The defense was dominate early on and never let up, the offense followed suit and the 'Beeters kept rolling. Chinook added 11 in the second quarter to extend their lead to 29-11 at the break. Neibauer came out firing to start the third quarter, scoring 11 in the frame including one from distance to help Chinook take a 47-27 lead into the fourth quarter.

Chinook coasted to the finish pushing the lead to 28 points before settling for a 62-39 opening round win over the badgers. Neibauer led the 'Beeter attack with 28 points on 12-20 shooting from the field. Neibauer also grabbed a team high 10 rebounds and recorded four steals in the win. Seymour finished with 11 points, three Assists and three steals. With the win the Sugarbeeters advanced to a semifinal contest with the Roy/Winifred Outlaws Friday night. Roy/Winifred earned a 57-20 win over the Augusta Elk.

Chinook 62 Cascade 39 (First Round)

Cascade 4 7 16 12 - 39

Chinook 18 11 18 15 - 62

Cascade - Sophia Mortag 6-18 3-5 16; Kyleigh Sivertson 1-3 1-2 1; Aubrey Hamlett 0-0 0-0 0; Braedyn Johnson 1-4 0-2 2; Ashlyn Korst 1-1 1-2 3; Lilou Giraudeau 2-5 0-0 5; Alaina Barger 2-4 0-0 4; Harlie Jackson 0-3 0-6 0; Kenzie Hauk 3-6 0-0 8; Audrey Rumney 0-0 0-0 0. Team Totals 15-44 5-17 39.

Chinook - Torin Cecrle 0-0 0-0 0; Sami Malsam 0-1 1-2 1; Bree Swanson 2-10 2-2 6; Alexus Seymour 3-14 5-7 11; Addison Olsen 0-1 0-0 0; Mya Berreth 1-2 0-1 2; Brooke Fetter 0-0 0-0 0; Anna Terry 0-0 0-0 0; Hallie Neibauer 12-20 3-8 28; Jenna Liddle 3-5 1-3 7; Gracie Skoyen 0-0 1-2 1; Hannah Schoen 2-4 2-3 6. Team Totals 23-57 15-28 62.

Three point Field Goals: Cascade 4 (Hauk 2, Mortag 1, Giraudeau 1), Chinook 1 (Neibauer 1); Total Rebounds: Cascade 33 (Mortag 6, Giraudeau 6), Chinook 42 (Neibauer 10); Turnovers: Cascade 25, Chinook 20; Total Fouls: Cascade 21, Chinook 20; Fouled Out: Cascade (Barger).

Roy/Winifred 45 Chinook 38 (Semifinal)

Roy/Winifred 10 11 10 14 - 45

Chinook 12 7 7 12 - 38

Roy/Winifred - Laynee Elness 3-9 2-3 8; Isabella Edwards 0-1 0-0 0; Lyla Ewen 1-3 0-2 2; Jayda Southworth 1-5 5-5 7; Hannah Ewen 4-6 0-0 9; Isabella Heggem 6-20 7-8 19. Team Totals 15-44 14-18 45.

Chinook - Torin Cecrle 1-2 0-0 2; Bree Swanson 3-8 0-0 7; Alexus Seymour 1-6 0-0 3; Mya Berreth 0-5 0-2 0; Anna Terry 0-0 0-0 0; Hallie Neibauer 9-14 1-2 22; Jenna Liddle 0-3 2-2 2; Hannah Schoen 1-2 0-0 2. Team Totals 15-40 3-6 38.

Three point Field Goals: Roy/Win 1 (Hannah Ewen 1), Chinook 5 (Neibauer 3, Seymour 1, Swanson 1); Total Rebounds: Roy/Win 31 (Heggem 10) Chinook 25 (Swanson 8); Turnovers: Roy/Win 15, Chinook 21; Total Fouls: Roy/Win 13, Chinook 20; Fouled Out: None.

Chinook 48 North Star 40 (Loser Out)

North Star 8 17 8 7 - 40

Chinook 9 15 8 16 - 48

North Star - Laynie Sattoriva 3-8 0-1 7; Kira King 4-8 0-0 11; Mackenzee Sargent 1-5 0-0 2; Madison Bjornstad 0-0 0-0 0; Kaitlyn Domire 3-6 2-3 8; Rainee Watson 4-16 3-6 12. Team Totals 15-44 5-10 40.

Chinook - Torin Cecrle 0-1 0-0 0; Bree Swanson 3-10 2-2 9; Alexus Seymour 3-12 4-8 10; Mya Berreth 2-6 1-2 5; Anna Terry 1-2 0-0 2; Hallie Neibauer 5-15 2-4 15; Jenna Liddle 1-3 0-0 2; Hannah Schoen 2-5 1-2 5. Team Totals 17-54 10-18 48.

Three point Field Goals: North Star 35 (King 3, Sattoriva 1, Watson 1), Chinook 4 (Neibauer 3, Seymour 1); Total Rebounds: North Star 33 (Sattoriva 8), Chinook 36 (Schoen 9, Seymour 8, Swanson 7); Turnovers: North Star 18, Chinook 10; Total Fouls: North Star 16, Chinook 12; Fouled Out: None.

Chinook 55 Belt 39 (3rd)

Chinook 20 14 16 5 - 55

Belt 4 16 14 5 - 39

Chinook - Torin Cecrle 0-1 0-0 0; Sami Malsam 0-0 0-0 0; Bree Swanson 5-9 0-0 10; Alexus Seymour 8-18 2-2 23; Mya Berreth 0-1 0-0 0; Anna Terry 1-1 0-0 2; Hallie Neibauer 7-17 2-7 16; Jenna Liddle 0-2 0-0 0; Hannah Schoen 2-3 0-0 4. Team Totals 23-52 4-9 55.

Belt - Addison Urick 4-13 1-2 12; Aaliyah Gaylord 0-5 0-0 0; Dezirae Goodman 0-4 2-2 2; Hattie Bamgarmer 6-10 2-4 15; Ella Pethel 0-3 0-2 0; Kyle Permann 0-2 2-2 2; Madison Feldman 1-1 2-2 4; Danika Lords 0-0 0-0 0; MacKenzie Pogany 1-2 1-2 4. Team Totals 12-40 10-16 39.

Three point Field Goals: Chinook 5 (Seymour 5), Belt 5 (Urick 3, Bumgarmer 1, Pogany 1); Total Rebounds: Chinook 39 (Swanson 11, Neibauer 9, Seymour 7), Belt 27 (Perman 7); Turnovers: Chinook 12, Belt 17; Total Fouls: Chinook 15, Belt 11; Fouled Out: None.

Chinook 48 Fort Benton 37 (Challenge - 2rd)

Chinook 12 14 4 18 - 48

Sophomore Alexus Seymour knocks down one of her five three-point bombs in a 23 point effort against Belt Saturday night.

Fort Benton 8 11 10 8 - 37

Chinook - Torin Cecrle 0-0 1-2 1; Bree Swanson 3-12 3-4 10; Alexus Seymour 3-8 7-10 15; Mya Berreth 3-4 1-1 7; Anna Terry 0-1 0-0 0; Hallie Neibauer 2-7 0-2 4; Jenna Liddle 0-0 0-0 0; Hannah Schoen 46 3-4 11. Team Totals 15-38 15-23 48.

Fort Benton - Casha Corder 1-6 4-6 7; Hailee Wang 4-10 1-2 10; Ang Riener 2-3 1-1 6; Kylynn Nack 3-7 0-2 8; Addison Reichelt 0-2 1-2 1; Emerson Geise 2-7 0-0 5; Kaydyn LeFurgey 0-1 0-0 0. Team Totals 12-34 7-13 37.

Three point Field Goals: Chinook 3 (Seymour 2, Swanson 1), Fort Benton 6 (Knack 2, Corder 1, Wang 1, Reiner 1, Giese 1); Total Rebounds: Chinook 28 (Schoen 8, Swanson 8), Fort Benton 20 (Wang 6); Turnovers: Chinook 16, Fort Benton 18; Total Fouls: Chinook 15, Fort Benton 22; Fouled Out: Fort Benton (Corder, LeFurgy).