By Rob Everingham
The Sugarbeeters of Chinook blew past Cut Bank on Friday night 54-40.
The two teams battled to a 6-6 tie at the end of the first quarter. In the second, the Beeters came alive and outscored the Wolves 23-14 to take a 29-20 halftime lead.
It was more of the same in the third as Chinook extended its lead to 43-26. Cut Bank got the slight advantage in the fourth, but it was too late for a come back.
Renda Birky drilled 19 points for Chinook to lead the way in scoring.
On Saturday night the Sugarbeeters traveled to Wolf Point to take on the Wolves. Wolf Point was able to come from behind to capture a 58-53 win over Chinook.
The Beeters took an 18-12 lead at the end of the first quarter. Chinook added to its lead in the second quarter and was up 34-26 at the half.
Wolf Point came out of the locker room on fire and outscored Chinook 13-8 to cut the Chinook lead to 42-39. The Wolves kept their comeback alive in the fourth and pulled out the win late in the quarter.
Katie Hoffman led the way for Chinook in scoring with 13, while Birky had 12 and Kelsie Whitney had 11.
Chinook head coach Bill Keller said even though they put 800 miles under their belts this weekend he was pleased with how his team performed.
Keller said it was nice to see his team get out and be able to play an actual opponent.
The one area were Keller said his team needs work is in the turnover category. Keller said both nights his team committed too many turnovers.
As far as the loss on Saturday night, Keller said he was sure that fatigue played a role. Keller said his team shot 50 percent in the first half and under 30 percent in the second half.
This weekend the Beeters have just one game as they travel to Simms.
Chinook
6
23
14
11
54
Cut Bank
6
14
8
12
40
Chinook L. Erskine, 0 0-2 0; K. Whitney, 3 0-0 8; J. Shepperd, 0 0-2 0; K. Malsam, 2 0-0 6; K. Hoffman, 2 1-4 5; R. Birkly, 6 7-10 19; A. Schoen, 2 6-6 8; C. Moores, 2 0-1 4; K. Acra, 2 0-0 4; Totals: 20 10-1 21
Cut Bank Erin Guith, 2 1-2 5; Brooke Widhalm, 2 1-1 5; Jackie Bird, 2 2-2 7; Aileen McKenty, 4 0-0 8; Andrea McDivitt 1 1-2 3; Marie Shanks, 3 4-6 10; Maren Rice, 0 2-2 2; Totals: 14 11-15
Total fouls: Chinook 16; Cut Bank 15. Fouled out: Tricha Smith. 3-pointers: Whitney, 2; Malsom, 2; Bird.
Wolf Point
58
Chinook
53
Chinook
18
16
8
11
53
Wolf Point
12
14
13
19
58
Chinook K. Whitney, 4 2-2 11; K. Malsam, 2 0-0 4; K. Hoffman, 5 3-3 13; R. Birky, 3 6-8 12; A. Schoen, 3 3-7 9; K. Acra, 2 0-0 4. Totals: 19 14-21 53.
Wolf Point Danna Hanks, 3 1-2 9; Lori Jo Neubauer, 3 4-7 10; Julie Wall, 0 0-1 0; Katie Zikoski, 7 0-9 25; Lindsey Hintz, 1 0-0 2; Nicole Clatyon, 2 0-0 4; Heather Granhois, 4 0-0 8; Totals: 20 14-21 58.
Total fouls: Chinook, 17; Wolf Point, 18. 3-pointers: Hanks, 2; Zilkoski, 2; Whitney. Fouled out: Whitney.
