The Hays/Lodge Pole boys and girls' basketball teams each played just one game this past week. On Friday, February 2, the Thunderbirds welcomed the Big Sandy Pioneers to town in a classic District 9C contest. The boys turned in a valiant effort, matching the Pioneers step for step before falling 44-40. In the girl's game, the Thunderbirds never really got going in a tough 63-24 set back.

The Thunderbird girls got a three point bucket from sophomore Chynelle McConnell and a two point bucket from sophomore Kelcie Mount as the Thunderbirds scored just five first quarter points while Big Sandy scored 19 to take a 14 point lead going into the second quarter. The offense wasn't much better in the second, as Mount scored five of the team's nine points. The Pioneers held a 40-14 halftime advantage. Eighth grader Hadley Not Afraid knocked down the only three-point bucket for the only points scored in the third quarter for the Thunderbirds. Entering the fourth quarter, the Pioneers had a 51-17 advantage and closed out the contest with a 63-24 win. Mount led the Thunderbird attack with 12 points.

The Hays Lodgepole boys have had plenty of ups and downs during the season, but the past couple of weeks the Thunderbirds have been finding their way. Friday night against the Big Sandy Pioneers, they showed that they can compete by taking the Pioneers to the closest game they've played all season. The Pioneers scored the opening points of the contest to give them a two-point lead to start the game. Senior William Hughes Jr. got the Thunderbirds on the scoreboard following a beautiful pass from junior Chaske Cliff. Hughes Jr. followed again with a layup, tying the score at 4-4 with 4:55 left in the first quarter. Senior Avery Boe made a timely pass to junior Kendall Brockie for two to give the Thunderbirds their first lead at 6-5. The thunderbirds trailed 14-8 at the end of the first quarter.

Hughes Jr. tried to ignite the Thunderbirds in the second quarter, scoring six points while Senior Jay Ball scored four in the frame, but it wasn't quite enough to make a dent in the Pioneer's lead. The Thunderbirds trailed 33-16 at the break.

Hughes Jr. found his mark from distance, knocking down three threes and scoring 13 points in the stanza. The Thunderbirds got buckets from Cliff and Ball in the frame, sending the teams to the fourth quarter with the Pioneers up 36-35. The Thunderbirds trailed late in the fourth quarter 42-40 with 46 seconds remaining. Two free throws from the Pioneers would end the game with the Pioneers coming out ahead 44-40.

The Thunderbirds will play next on February 9th against the Turner Tornadoes. The following night, the Thunderbirds will return home to take on the Fort Benton Longhorns as they close out the regular season and celebrate their seniors. The team will then head to the District 9C Tournament in Havre February 14-17.