Hi-Line Athlete Profile: Chanal Standing Rock, Rocky Boy Girls Basketball

Rocky Boy's Chanal Standing Rock has become one of the best players on the Hi-Line

Chanal Standing Rock has been making shots on the hardwood all along the Hi-Line for the last several years, and in her senior season with the Class B Rocky Boy Morning Stars basketball team, Standing Rock has continues to tickle the twines.

The Morning Stars are known for their fast-paced style of play and Standing Rock is a key component. A leader of the offense, she has taken control of a fairly young squad, averaging over 20 points per game almost midway through the season. Standing Rock also posted 40 points against Hi-Line rival, the Harlem Wildcats just before the holiday break as she continues to have a solid senior season.

Standing Rock is a four-year varsity player. But she has also played for two area schools.

As a freshman Standing Rock took on a varsity role with the Stars, but transferred to Havre High for her sophomore season, where she also played varsity for the Class A Blue Ponies. But the last two years Standing Rock has been back in maroon and gold, playing for the Stars. She was awarded the teams’ most improved award as a freshman and junior in Rocky Boy, as well as earning Central A All-Conference Honorable Mention with her efforts as an HHS Blue Pony.

Chanal also ran varsity cross country for three years, but is known more for her skills on the hardwood, where she is a deadly shooter, and an excellent ball handler.

After her short stint with the Ponies, one of Standing Rock’s next games has growing intrigue. A schedule change taking effect this season will have the Morning Stars and Ponies facing off this weekend in Havre. It is the first of two meetings this season and already has the makings of a nice local rivalry.

When she’s not playing at a high level for the Morning Stars, Standing Rock can also be found watching hoops. She’s become a big MSU-Northern fan as her older brother, Anfernee, a former Rocky Boy and Havre High standout, is now a sophomore on the MSU-N men’s basketball team.

Here are five questions with one of the areas deadliest 3-point shooters as she prepares to return to the Havre High gymnasium

HDN: How have you been able to find early success with your offensive game this season?

Standing Rock: “We are looking to score more as a team, and I have been trying to play more confident. I am also trying to be a team leader and I think that has helped me play more consistent. It is good that I am scoring, but it makes it even better if I know that I am getting my teammates an assist.”

HDN: I see you and your family at a lot of the Northern Lights basketball games watching your brother, Anfernee. Do you see yourself playing college ball, too, in the future?

Standing Rock: “I do want to play (college basketball). I am mainly looking at local colleges, and I can hopefully play for one of them. And it is fun to watch (Anfernee), and getting to be around that atmosphere, it is pretty fun and exciting and it gets you into it.”

HDN: What do you think about getting to play the Havre High Blue Ponies this weekend, and what kind of game do you see yourself having?

Standing Rock: “I am just preparing for them like I would prepare for any other game, but I think I kind of know what to expect out of them, I have been paying attention to them still. But I think it will be a fun game and a unique experience. I just want to keep working hard, but that is every game, and we are always looking to get better and keep improving as a team.”

HDN: How is the competition different playing Class B basketball compared to Class A?

Standing Rock: “I thank Class A may be faster, but I think more Class B teams we play focus more on fundamentals and try to slow it down a bit. Class A has a lot of smaller guards that are quick and fast, but I think I transitioned back into Class B OK. And I think Rocky Boy has a really tough schedule, playing Fairfield, Malta, Cut Bank, Choteau and Conrad, they are all tough teams.”

HDN: You can score from all over the floor, but where is your favorite spot to pull up and hit a jump shot?

Standing Rock: “I have been taking quite a few 3-point shots, but I have been trying to just take what the defense gives me. The most important thing is to just play well for the team. We are young — we have two freshmen and the rest are pretty much sophomores. I think they look up to me, so I am just trying to be the best leader I can.”