By Tiffany L. Rehbein
Quality team leadership and the team concept outline the District 9-C Blue Sky Eagles this winter.
Seniors Tyler Hutchinson, Brandon Anderson, and David Jurenka will provide the leadership.
"These guys understand the importance of the team concept," said first-year head coach Joe Horel. "Our goals will be achieved by working together as a team."
And, in the first two games of the 1999-2000 season, Hutchinson, Anderson, and Jurenka provided the offensive strength.
The Eagles (1-1 overall) blitzed the Brady Bulldogs 93-28 at the J-I/Blue Sky Invitational Friday, Dec. 10. Hutchinson poured in 20 points and Jurenka added 19 in the win.
Saturday against a tough Dutton Cardinals team, the Eagles fell 57-48. Hutchinson scored 23 points and Anderson chipped in 13 in the effort.
Sophomore Brent Petrick also scored 20 points against Brady Friday.
Juniors Dain Petersen, Matt McKinley, Ryan Schnitzmeier, Nathan Engenbright, and Jack McKinley, and sophomore Kevin Jurenka round out the Eagles' varsity team roster.
"Intense. In one word, that would be it," Horel said about the Blue Sky defense this winter. "Offensively, that is going to depend on what the defense puts toward us."
The 93-point opening-season offensive effort was credited to great shooting from the field, and the inexperienced Brady team.
Conversely, Dutton, the top-ranked team in the Associated Press Poll, shot the ball well Saturday, and posed a size threat inside.
The game, a two-to-three point fest until the final minutes, was a learning experience.
"Overall, we had a game plan, and the kids stuck through it throughout the game," Horel said.
Blue Sky will open its conference season Thursday, Dec. 16, at the home of the Big Sandy Pioneers.
The two-time defending State Class C champion KG KouGars will host the Eagles Friday, Dec. 17, in conference action.
The Eagles will close out their December schedule Monday, Dec. 20, against the District 10-C Sunburst Refiners in non-conference play.
"We will just continue to focus on execution, and zero in on some things we can do better," Horel said.
The Eagles will return to action at home Friday, Jan. 7, when they will face the Box Elder Bears in conference play.
Blue Sky Boys' Basketball Schedule
Dec.
16
Big Sandy
Away
7:30 p.m.
17
K-G
Away
7:30 p.m.
20
Sunburst
Away
7:30 p.m.
Jan.
7
Box Elder
Home
7:30 p.m.
8
Chester
Away
7:30 p.m.
13
Valier
Away
6:30 p.m.
14
Rocky Boy
Away
7:30 p.m.
20
Big Sandy
Home
7:30 p.m.
21
K-G
Home
7:30 p.m.
28
Sunburst
Home
7:30 p.m.
29
J-I
Away
7:30 p.m.
Feb.
4
Box Elder
Away
7:30 p.m.
5
Chester
Home
7:30 p.m.
10
Valier
Home
6:30 p.m.
11
Rocky Boy
Home
7:30 p.m.
19
J-I
Home
7:30 p.m.
24-26
Districts
Havre High
March
2-4
Divisional
Shelby
9-11
State
Butte
