By Rob Everingham
The Chinook Sugarbeeters (12-10) are set for the North-East B Divisional tournament this weekend in Cut Bank.
The 'Beeters finished fourth in the District 2-B tournament in Wolf Point this last weekend to advance.
The 'Beeters fell to Glasgow 48-45 in the consolation finals on Saturday evening.
In the first round of the divisional tournament on Thursday Chinook will square off against Conrad (19-2).
Conrad comes in after claiming the District 1-B title last weekend. Conrad is also currently ranked No. 2 in the state.
Chinook head coach Bill Keller said he has not seen Conrad play this year but knows they are a very quick and a very fast team.
Keller did say that Conrad has all five starters returning from last year's team, which made it to the Class B State tournament.
As far as playing Conrad in the first round, Keller said, if you want to make it to the next level, you'll eventually have to play them.
"We're looking at it as an opportunity and a challenge," Keller said.
Keller said that he knows all his team needs to do is to go in and give themselves a chance to win the game.
Junior Renda Birky leads the Sugarbeeters offensively. She notched a season-high 28 points against Cut Bank on Oct. 19.
Katie Hoffman and Kelsie Whitney are tough on the perimeter, including nailing the 3-pointer, for Chinook.
Tip-off is slated for 1 p.m., to open the divisional tournament.
