By Tiffany L. Rehbein
The Chinook Sugarbeeters have found the way to win.
The 'Beeters (1-1, 2-4) defeated the Harlem Wildcats 69-65 in District 2-B action Tuesday at Chinook.
"We started out very strong," head coach Glenn Smith said. "We pushed the ball up the floor quickly, and we played great pressure defense."
That tough defense led to an early 21-point lead for the 'Beeters.
Justin Friede, who has been playing solid offensively of late, tallied a team-high 17 points.
Balanced offensive scoring has defined the Sugarbeeters in the early season.
Kalled Jaha scored 15 points, Adam Gibson added 16 points, and Troy Omsberg chipped in 10 in the game.
The Sugarbeeters shot 50 percent from the field in the matchup.
"I really give the players credit for a great team effort," Smith said. "Omsberg, Roseberry, Friede, Gibson, they all had their best game of the season. Ty Oehmcke, he just continued to come off the bench well for us."
Up by five points heading into the locker room, Chinook held on to win by five.
"We just took them out of the game," Smith said. "In the last four minutes of the second half, they got back within five points, and our defense just broke down. I take the blame for that."
Jaha grabbed a game-high 13 rebounds in the contest. Against Simms Saturday, he snatched 20 boards to lead the Sugarbeeters.
Tonight, Chinook travels to Malta to take on the Mustangs in conference play. The 'Beeters return to action Friday, Jan. 7, at Glasgow in conference play.
