Beeters back in the Northern C semis

GREAT FALLS — In your first game of the divisional tournament, slow starts and jangled nerves aren't uncommon. But for the first time in years, tournament experience played a key role in a Chinook boys basketball victory.

The 9C champion Sugarbeeters shrugged off early shooting woes and wound up with a comfortable 59-48 Northern C opening-round win over Stanford-Geyser on Thursday afternoon at the Four Seasons Arena in Great Falls.

The Beeters used torrid shooting in the second and third quarters to win going away. But more importantly, it was their experience which played a crucial role...