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

The Chinook Lady Sugarbeeters concluded their incredible season this past weekend at the 2024 Class B State Tournament. The Beeters went undefeated during the regular season and lost four games in the postseason. Every team's goal is to make it to the State tournament, or win the Championship game, but only one team can win it all. Chinook wasn't that team this year, but they were one of 8 Class B teams that could say they made it to the State tournament, and that is something to be proud of. They had a special season that made the younger generations, their classmates, parents, grandparents and the entire community of Chinook proud.

The 'Beeters first game of the tournament was against the Baker Spartans, who would later become the 2024 Class B State Champions. The 'Beeters got off to a rough start against the Spartans, only scoring 2 points in the opening quarter, off of a couple of free throws from senior Hallie Neibauer, while the Spartans scored 12. The 'Beeters only added four more points to their total in the second quarter, with the Spartans scoring eight, sending the teams to the locker rooms with a score of 19-6 in favor of the Spartans. Coming out to start the second half, the 'Beeters were ready to play ball. The 'Beeters outscored the Spartans 18-9 in the third quarter, with Neibauer scoring 14 of the team's 18 points. Junior Alexus Seymour scored three in the frame and junior Gracie Skoyen added a free-throw. Entering the final quarter of the game, the 'Beeters fought hard, but were unable to keep up with the Spartans as they were outscored 17-6, taking their first loss of the tournament 46-30. Neibauer led the 'Beeters with 19 points, while Seymour added 8 of her own.

The 'Beeters had little time to look back on the Baker game as they had to be ready by 10:30 the following morning to take on the Anaconda Copperheads. The 'Beeters got out to a fast start as they took quarter one with a 17-9 lead. Junior Addison Olsen scored the opening points of the game. Neibauer dropped two bombs for six, Seymour added a three of her own, and Skoyen added 4 points, going 2-2 from the free-throw line. Anaconda outscored the 'Beeters by one in the second quarter, but thanks to some big defensive stops, they were able to maintain a seven-point lead going into the halftime locker room with a score of 28-21.

Coming back onto the court, the 'Beeters struggled to get shots to fall against the Copperheads. Anaconda would win quarter three 18-12, but the 'Beeters still held on to a one point lead going into the fourth quarter, 40-39.

The final quarter of the game saw plenty of action, as there were three tied-up scores with five lead changes. With 6:51 left in the fourth quarter, Anaconda tied up the game with a free throw, making it the first tied score of the contest, 40-40. A short time later, the Copperheads were at the line again where they went 1-2, giving them their first lead of the game, 41-40. With a hard drive down the middle, Neibauer took back a one-point lead, giving the 'Beeters a 42-41 advantage. The Copperheads took the lead back with a 2 point bucket under the basket. They then followed with another basket, giving them their largest lead of the game over the 'Beeters, 45-42. Seymour tied the game back up, for the second time in the quarter, with a long three from the right corner to make the game 45-45. Neibauer then got an offensive rebound and put back to give the 'Beeters back a two-point lead. Anaconda went on a short run where they gained a four point lead over the 'Beeters, but junior Hannah Schoen drew an AND1, making a three-point play, cutting the Copperheads' lead down to one, 51-50. With 1:24 left in the game, Sophomore Brooke Fetter launched a long two to cut into the Copperheads' 3 point lead. Neibauer got a steal and traveled across the court to earn a hard-fought layup to keep the 'Beeters within one point over the Copperheads. Anaconda followed up with another two of their own, but with :18 left in the game, Schoen got an offensive rebound and put back to score the 'Beeters final points of the contest. The 'Beeters fought hard until the last second, but it was the Anaconda Copperheads who would end the 'Beeters' season with a 59-56 loss.

Jenna Liddle - #24

While the season may not have ended how they would have liked, they have a lot to be proud of. We say goodbye to our senior 'Beeters, Hallie Neibauer and Jenna Liddle. Neibauer had an incredible career and final season. She became the school's new All-Time Scoring Leader, while also breaking the record for most points scored in a game. She will continue her basketball career at Montana Tech in Butte, where she will major in Civil Engineering. Jenna Liddle has been fun to watch grow the last four years, and has been a valuable asset to the team and their success. She plans to attend college in Butte and become either a Registered Nurse or a Radiologist. We wish both girls the best in their future endeavor. The Lady Sugarbeeters have some big shoes to fill, but with the success and experience the younger players got this year, we have no doubt they will find success on the court and continue to make their community proud. Congratulations, ladies, on a great season!