By Rob Everingham
The Chinook Sugarbeeters hosted Poplar Friday night in a District 2-B match-up. The Beeters left the Poplar Indians at the gate and won, 61-26.
Chinooks defense was great in the first eight minutes, as it held Poplar to just two points. Chinooks offense picked up 17 points to lead by 15 after one quarter of play.
It was more Chinook in the second quarter, as the Beeters jumped out to a 33-10 halftime lead.
Chinook outscored the Indians 17-4 in the third quarter. Poplar had a slight scoring advantage in the fourth quarter, but was down too far for the comeback.
Katie Hoffman led a balanced Chinook scoring attack with 13 points.
Chinook picked up its second win of the weekend as it traveled to Fort Benton and scored 20 points in the fourth quarter to come from behind and edge the Longhorns 61-59.
The Beeters jumped out to a 12-7 lead in the first quarter. The Longhorns bulled their way back into the game in the second, but Chinook still led 29-27 at the half.
Fort Benton outscored Chinook 19-12 in the third to take a 46-41 lead.
In the fourth, the Beeters came out and got the job done, scoring 20 points and holding Fort Benton to just 13 to get the win.
Erskine led the way for Chinook with 15 points. Hoffman was also in double figures for the Beeters with 13 points.
Chinook head coach Bill Keller said that in the Poplar game he was able to play all his players and give some a much-needed rest.
Against Fort Benton, Keller said, it was a tough place to play. It was a tough, physical game but, Keller said, he was happy with how his team stuck it out and made free throws down the stretch.
That was a great way to top off the weekend, Keller said
On tap for the Beeters is a clash with Central A leader Havre Blue Ponies Tuesday night. They then meet Simms at home Saturday night.
