Sugarbeeters excel at divisionals

This past weekend at the Northern B Divisional Basketball Tournament in Conrad, the Chinook girls basketball team looked to go on a run to clinch a spot in the Class B State Tournament. Despite some adversity, the Sugarbeeters earned themselves at least a third-place finish in the tournament to keep their season alive.

The Sugarbeeters began the tournament Thursday with a 50-29 win over Fairfield. The Sugarbeeters took a 9-5 lead to start the contest and then stretched their lead to 23-17 heading into halftime.

In the third quarter, the Sugarbeeters pulled away to take a 41-21 lead into the fourth. With the big lead, the Sugarbeeters coasted to victory to open the tournament. Hallie Neibauer led Chinook with 12 points against Fairfield.

On Friday, the Sugarbeeters suffered a 55-41 loss to Malta. The Sugarbeeters fell behind early as they trailed, 11-9, in the opening frame. By halftime, Chinook trailed 24-16.

The Sugarbeeters tried to keep pace as they trailed 43-33 heading to the fourth. But in the final frame, Malta pulled away to send Chinook to the loser-out bracket. Neibauer led Chinook with 19 points in the losing effort.

Needing to win, Chinook defeated Conrad, 61-26, in a loser-out game Saturday. The Sugarbeeters got rolling early as they jumped out to a 15-3 lead. They maintained momentum as they took a 30-9 lead into halftime. With the big lead, the Sugarbeeters pulled away in the second half to win and stay alive in the tournament.

In the consolation game Saturday, Chinook took care of business with a 55-35 win over Fairfield. The Sugarbeeters raced out to a 17-9 lead before stretching their lead to 28-18 heading into halftime. The Sugarbeeters then pulled away in the second half to secure the win and clinch at least third in the tournament.

After Chinook won its consolation game, Poplar lost to Malta in the Northern B Divisional championship game. With these results, the Sugarbeeters will now face Poplar in a challenge game to determine who will finish second in the tournament and clinch the final spot in the upcoming Class B State Tournament.

The Chinook girls basketball team will play Poplar in Glasgow tonight at 6 p.m. 

Thursday

Chinook 50, Fairview 29

FAI - 5 12 4 8 - 29

CHI - 9 14 18 9 - 50

FAI - Macy Tjelde 9, Brooklyn Anderson 6, Kallee Hopes 6, Brailey Anderson 5, Gracelynn Free 2, Emily Johnson 1.

CHI - Hallie Neibauer 12, Alexus Seymour 9, Hannah Schoen 8, Jenna Liddle 6, Brooke Fetter 5, Sidney Liddle 4, Neva Lowe 3, Addison Olsen 3.

Friday 

Malta 55, Chinook 41, Semifinal 

MAL - 11 13 19 12 - 55

CHI - 9 7 17 8 - 41

MAL - Denver Tuss 18, Elly Anderson 10, Emree Stuart 9, Neva Jacobson 7, Addison Ulrich 4, Giona Lamb 3, Kelbie Nelson 2, Kendall Clausen 2. 

CHI - Hallie Neiabuer 19, Brooke Fetter 8, Alexus Seymour 4, Neva Lowe 4, Sidney Liddle 2, Gracie Skoyen 2, Hannah Schoen 2. 

Saturday

Chinook 61, Conrad 26, LO

CHI - 15 15 19 12 - 61

CON - 3 6 7 10 - 26

Chinook 55, Fairfield 35

FAI - 9 9 10 7 - 35

CHI - 17 11 17 10 - 55