By Rob Everingham
It was a great preview weekend for next weekends District 9-C tournament.
No. 1 Big Sandy almost fell for the first time this season as the KG KouGars played tough at home.
The Pioneers were fortunate to come out with the 48-47 win. KG led at the end of one, 7-6. By halftime, the KouGars had built a 16-12 lead. In the third, Big Sandy came roaring back and took a 31-29 lead. KG battled hard in the fourth, but could not get the needed points for the win.
Katherine Bitz led the way for Big Sandy with 16 points while the KouGars were led by Jen Siefert who had 13.
The Blue Sky Eagles flew over Rocky Boy on Friday night 70-41.
Blue Sky opened up a 16-6 lead after one and never looked back. By the midway point, the Eagles had lifted themselves to a 37-16 lead. Rocky Boy had the scoring edge in the third, but could not come up with enough to pull themselves back into the game.
Katie Spicher led the way for Blue Sky with 14 points, while the Morning Stars were led by Rose Crebs who had a game-high 18.
Box Elder clawed their way past Hays-Lodgepole on Friday night, 58-45.
The Bears opened up big as they jumped out to a 19-7 lead. By halftime, Box Elder had built a 31-17 lead. Box Elder had the scoring edge in the third, but the Thunderbirds came back and outscored the Bears 20-14 in the fourth, but it was too little too late.
Josie Rosette and Rose Burns led the way for Box Elder with 13 points each. Ray-Lyn Shambo led Hays-Lodgepole with 17 points.
On Saturday night, it was KG getting the 60-47 win over Rocky Boy.
The KouGars took a 15-13 lead at the end of one. The Morning Stars cut the led down to 25-24 at the half. Both teams scored 18 points in the third quarter, leaving KG up by one. The KouGars outscored Rocky Boy 17-5 in the fourth to come away with the win.
Big Sandy ended the season perfect on Saturday night with an 83-48 win over Geraldine.
The Pioneers leaped out to a 29-18 lead after one quarter of play. It was more of the same in the second quarter, as Big Sandy pushed their lead out to 50-28 at the half. The Pioneers rolled through the second half en route to a perfect regular season record of 18-0.
Sasha Ritter had 17 points for the Pioneers while Bitz and Celeste Darlington each had 16.
Hays-Lodgepole fell to Dodson on Saturday night, 53-30.
Dodson took an 18-5 lead after one. By halftime, Dodson had taken a 34-7 lead. The T-Birds did get the scoring edge in the fourth, as they outscored Dodson 15-9, but it was too late.
The T-Birds were led in scoring by Shambo who had 13.
All six teams will battle it out for the District 9-C crown this weekend at Havre High School.
Games will start Thursday night with Box Elder facing Hays-Lodgepole and Blue Sky facing Rocky Boy. Both Big Sandy and KG will get a first-round bye and will play Thursday night winners on Friday night.
