HDN Athlete Profile: Tyler Molyneaux

Chinook senior Tyler Molyneaux has been a force in Chinook athletics over the last four years. But as his career winds down, Molyneaux is coming off of a football season where he was able to add a Class C state football championship to his list of accomplishments. Molyneaux also recently signed with Minot University as a running back, will play in both the Montana East/West Shrine Game and Badlands Bowl this summer, as well as earned all kinds of football accolades.

But now the Chinook center is preparing to take on the rest of the conference in the 9C basketball tournament this week in Havre, and after helping the Beeters to a great run last February and March, he's hoping to finish his basketball career on a similar note.

HDN: What kind of accomplishment would following a state football championship with a state basketball championship be?

Molyneaux: "That would be huge. Chinook hasn't won a state basketball tournament for a few years. It would just another huge accomplishment for our class and for our school."

HDN: What do you think it is that has made the Sugarbeeters so successful this year?

Molyneaux: "We have played together since we were little and it has just come down to the fact that we really play well as a team. We just play really unselfish ball."

HDN: Which opponent do you look forward to playing most at the 9C tournament?

Molyneaux: "I am looking forward to playing Box Elder again. They Have (Jacob) Parker back and they have a lot of good athletes. They are definitely going to be a tough team to play and they are always tough during tournaments."

HDN: What were the goals at the beginning of the season, and have they changed?

Molyneaux: "Our goals at the beginning of the season were to play to the best of our ability at the end of the season. And we have always been shooting for the state tournament, and after getting third at the divisional tournament last year, we just want to take the next step."

HDN: What is it going to take to stay successful at the 9C tournament this weekend?

Molyneaux: "It's going to take a lot of hard work and focus. We just need to stick together as a team and outwork everybody else."

Note: Basketball fans can follow the District 9C boys and girls basketball tournaments all weekend with up-to-the-minute scores at http://www.havredailynews.com, as well as full coverage in Thursday, Friday and Monday's Havre Daily News.