Last Dance: 'Beeters Bid Adieu to the Northern C After 18 Years and Much Success

 

March 15, 2023

The Chinook Sugarbeeters just completed another journey to the Northern C Divisional in Great Falls this past season. After many years of watching the 'Beeter boys and girls take the court at the Four Seasons Arena the time has come for the Sugarbeeters to make their return to the Class B ranks. The 'Beeters will compete the Golf and Track and Field, seasons in the Class C. Tennis will remain a part of the Northern B/C Division.

This coming fall when the new school year begins they will still play eight-man football in the Northern C Division, but they will compete in Class B for Cross Country and the District 1B for Volleyball. The 'Beeters will be part of the District 1B for boys and girls basketball as well. The wrestling team will still compete in the Northern B/C Division but will compete just for the Class B team title.

The 'Beeters had plenty of success will competing in the Class C ranks claiming multiple District Championships along the way and making a number of state tournament appearances along the way including winning the Class C Volleyball title their very first year. Chinook defeated Hysham in the championship coming back from being down two sets to win it in five. Chinook returned to the Class C State Volleyball Tournament again in 2013, 2015 and 2022.

The 'Beeter volleyball team advanced to the Northern C Divisional every year except 2011 and 2012 and won the District tournament in 2005, 06, 07, 08, 09, 10, 13, 14, 15, 19, 20, 21 and 22.

The Northern C Divisional Boys and Girls Basketball Tournament is one of a kind and fans will certainly miss it. 18 teams from all over North Central Montana and basketball all day for four straight days. It was an annual gathering each year, sort of an end of winter, let's get ready for spring celebration. Great games were had, tears of joy and tears of defeat were shared between players, coaches and fans alike.

The ups and downs of competition were celebrated in every way. Whatever the end result was, it was always worth it and better to have been there than not. It takes a good team to get there and not every team does, but the Sugarbeeters got to experience it nearly every year, several with both the boys and girls in the tournament field.

Chinook was represented by the girls at the Northern C in 2011, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 22 and 23. The boys took part in 2010, 11, 12, 14, 15, 17, 18, 19, 20 and 21. Chinook won the Northern C in 2019 advancing to their only Class C Boys State Tournament.

The Girls played in six straight District 9C Championships form 2011-2016 winning four. The boys won three District 9C titles in 2011, 18 and 19.

The camaraderie in the stands extended to the hotel rooms as well as restaurants, watering holes, the mall or whatever entertainment was to be had. It was a shared experience that made the weekend so much more than just a basketball tournament.

 
 

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