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

The Chinook Sugarbeeters are 25-1 and heading to their first ever Class C State Girls Basketball Tournament. The 'Beeters are concluding their 18th and final season as a Class C school and achieving this opportunity is the perfect way to end. In the fall when the 2023-24 school year begins the 'Beeters will be a part of the District 1B for Volleyball and girls and boys basketball. They will compete in Northern B Cross Country, Golf, Track & Field a well as B/C Tennis and B/C Wrestling. The football program will remain a part of the Northern C Eight-man Football Division.

The 2023 Girls Class C State Basketball Tournament will take place in Billings at the Metra Park First Interstate Arena. Every team at the State Tournament is good and the 'Beeters will face 23-0 Saco/Whitewater/Hinsdale in their tournament opener Wednesday night at 7:30 pm. A win would have them playing the winner of 21-3 Manhattan Christian vs. 23-1 Roberts Thursday night at 8:00 pm.

Chinook Head, Coach Mike Jones looks forward to the opportunity in front of his team, "I am just proud of these girls and excited for them to showcase their abilities this tournament." Preparation for the week has been good, "Practice has been great, just getting healthy and fine tuning some stuff. It is awesome to really see the culture of this team and how they are all involved. I am a big team culture guy so it's awesome to see the girls have bought in and are able to experience this after many years of work on their part."

When local teams make it to the big stage it's always nice to hear what the players themselves think. In the past I have asked players a few questions heading into the state tournament and generally a handful respond. The Sugarbeeters responses were impressive. I asked three general questions to the team. 1) What are your thoughts on advancing to the State tournament and having the opportunity to represent the school, community and the Northern C? 2) Many of you remember the boys in Billings in 2019 and now you get to take the court, are you nervous? 3) Winning is the ultimate goal but having the opportunity to earn it on the court is something not many get to experience. What is your focus on as a member of the TEAM to help reach the goal. Here are their responses.

Bree Swanson, Senior #4 - 1) Advancing to the state tournament is something we've had on our goals since the beginning of the year. This opportunity is so surreal to me and it still hasn't quite sunk in yet. Representing the school, community, and the Northern C all in one sweep makes me grateful for my teammates, coaches, and this opportunity beyond explanation. 2) I was a part of the pep band when the boys went to state in my junior high years. I thought it was so cool to see them playing on that court and now it's our turn. 3) Right now I am more excited to go, but I'm sure my nerves will kick in once we step foot in the Metra. My focus as a member of the team is to stay calm and play our game and keep doing what we've been doing all year. Defense wins games and I think that's something we have focused on all year so I believe that can take us far.

Torin Cecrle, Senior #1 - 1) I'm so excited to be advancing to the state tournament this year, especially because it's my senior year and last year playing as a Sugarbeeter. It's going to be a great experience and it's so amazing that we get to represent our community, school and the Northern C! 2) I am not as nervous as I am excited but I know that right before we run out onto the court it will be a little nerve racking but once the game starts it will be like any normal game that we are playing and all the nerves will go away. 3) I will fulfill my role to help the team work to get the win! I want to help my team stay mentally tough through adversity, I also want to help make sure we work as a team and stay close through any obstacles that the state tournament throws at us.

Anna Terry, Senior #20 - 1) We are all so excited to have the opportunity to represent the school at the State tournament. The last four years definitely haven't been easy, but I couldn't be more proud of this team and all that we've accomplished this year! 2) Honestly, I'm not nervous at all. As a senior, this is my final chance to play basketball in this environment, so I couldn't be more excited to have made it to this point! 3) As we get ready to go into state week, my main goal is to bring a positive attitude to the team. This week is my last time playing with these girls and I want to make it count.

Hallie Neibauer, Junior #22 - 1) I'm really excited to play in the state tournament with the team. It's been a really long time since the girls basketball team has been there, so not only getting the opportunity to be there but show everyone how hard we have worked and how proud we are to represent the school and community at the state tournament. 2) More excited than nervous, this is a great opportunity. Been dreaming of this moment ever since I heard the stories of my dad's team winning state and getting the chance to watch the boys play in the same gym we will be playing at, it's crazy it's actually happening. With this being our last class C run we're ready to go and leave everything on the court. 3) Play like we have been all season, we've worked hard as a team to make it into the state tournament. Just having everyone play the best of their ability like they always do and working together.

Mya Berreth, Junior #12 - 1) It's very exciting and nerve-racking to have the opportunity to represent the Northern C at state. It's especially exciting to see all the hard work we put in during the season and in the off season pay off, giving us the chance to go to state. 2) I'm extremely nervous to take the court for the first time at a state basketball tournament. The start of any game makes me nervous but eventually the nerves go away as the game continues. 3) My focus is to just try and continue to do what I've done all season. By playing my role and trying my best, is how I plan to help the team reach our goals.

Jenna Liddle, Junior #24 - 1) I find it pretty awesome that we get to play in the state tournament. We have worked hard from summer through the season to get this far. This community is a huge supporter for us girls. The crowd gets us going and we build from there. 2) I am so happy that we have this opportunity. Yes, I am very nervous. Talking about the opportunity is always different than taking the opportunity. We just have to go into the tournament with our heads high, with the same chip on our shoulders, and the grit that we have had this season. 3) The ultimate goal is to win, yes. However, there are many different goals you want to reach every game. As for me, I want to focus on giving my all on the court. You never know when your name or number is going to get called on the bench. Always give 110% effort because your team needs you and the coaches are counting on you

Alexus Seymour, Sophomore #5 - 1) I've been dreaming about playing at the state tournament since I first ever started playing basketball. It's really awesome that we have the opportunity to represent our school by going to state and it says a lot about our girls sports programs because we also went to state in Volleyball as well. 2) When the boys made it to state in 2019 and I was a manager I thought that was closest I'd ever get to participating in a state tournament. 3) I'm not nervous at all, but more excited because I've been in the Metra multiple times and I've seen it packed in there, so it's really exciting knowing there is an opportunity for it to be filled. We've really just stuck together and we do a lot of team bonding. We're a really tight knit circle of girls that help each other no matter the occasion and I feel like not very many other teams have the chemistry we do. It's also helped playing with some of these girls since 2nd and 3rd grade.

Hannah Schoen, Sophomore #50 - 1) I have dreamed about going to the state basketball tournament since I was a little girl. The fact that I now get to live out that dream is surreal. Representing the school and community is such an honor. It's such an exciting opportunity and I can't wait to see what happens. 2) I am honestly very nervous, but also not at all worried. Experiencing new thing is always a little nerve racking, but I trust my team and my coaches. We deserve to be at state and I think that's an important thing to know. We have worked everyday to get to where we are now. I know that we will play like we have all season and continue to do great things. 3) My focus is to play like I have all season and just have fun. I trust that the work that I put in is going to carry me through this tournament with success. The team has worked so hard to get to where we are now. We just need to trust our training and relax. We play best when we are having fun and enjoying ourselves.

Addison Olsen, Sophomore #10 - 1) I think it's a wonderful opportunity to be able to go to the state tournament and represent an amazing community and school, as well as some good, hard Northern C basketball. Having the supportive community that we do behind us really helps us build that confidence we need going into the tournament and it's crazy to see so many people come together to watch some Lady Sugarbeeter Basketball. 2) Yes, I think everyone has a little bit of the jitters but, we just need to remember that we EARNED a spot at this tournament and we belong there. I think we're a confident and strong enough team that we'll come out dominant and show these other teams what Northern C basketball looks like. 3) My focus going into this tournament is to soak up all the information and experience I can. I also want to be very supportive of my team no matter the situation and be ready to adapt for anything that gets thrown at us this upcoming weekend.

Sami Malsam, Sophomore #2 - 1) I think that having the opportunity to go to state is amazing. There aren't very many other teams that are getting this opportunity so it makes it very exciting to be able to represent our community, school and the Northern C. 2) I am a little nervous but I think that once we're there and get a feel for the court and stuff we'll be okay. 3) My focus is to support the team and help where I can help. I want to play my role for the team..

Falyn Cecrle, Freshman #14 Alt. - 1) Ever since I was a young girl the first time I stepped on a court I was so excited to get into my future of basketball representing my town and the Northern C because back then and now I love my hometown and love doing anything to represent it and making it to state just made my dreams of basketball grow and I don't think I could be anymore happy with this team and the amazing things we've achieved and accomplished together. 2) When I watched the boys make it to state I knew from then on I would want the same thing since they all seemed so proud and they were truly the biggest role models and now that I get to feel that and be put into their shoes I am so excited to see where else this team will take us on the years to come and through state this year. 3) Being on one of the few teams to play in state is such an honor alone and getting to cheer them on and be along side them for the ride makes me so happy and just makes everything about this whole season seem so amazing.

Carson Kelly, Freshman Mgr. - 1) I'm very proud of the team for putting in the work and effort so we could go to state. I am honored to be part of the team and to represent my school. I know the girls will go far and I'll try my best to support them! 2) Although state has a lot of competition I'm positive the girls will hold their own. Overall I'm more excited than nervous but I bet I'll be nervous right before the game starts. 3) I will do everything I can to support the team as much as possible! I'll make sure everyone is hydrated, feeling excited, and sure of themselves for their game.

Ashlyn Hofeldt, Freshman JV - 1) My thoughts about going to state is that I'm very proud of all of them and I also think its a once in a lifetime opportunity for us to be going to state. I think it's a great way to represent our school and community. We worked hard and we all deserve this opportunity. 2) I won't be playing at all when we go to state, but I'll definitely be nervous watching them. I love watching the girls and how they play hard every time they go out on the floor. 3) My focus is to try to improve and help others improve too. I'm not the best at basketball, but I really love the game and I love the team. I also focus on cheering up the players on the court on the bench.