Chinook pulls away in 9C opener

The Chinook Sugarbeeters were rarely tested in District 9C regular season play this winter. But the start of the 2019 District 9C tournament was a different story because the Chester-Joplin-Inverness Hawks certainly put the Beeters to the test.

In the opening game of the 9C boys tournament, Chinook was able to pull away from eighth-seeded CJI, 60-33, Thursday in the HHS gymnasium. But it was by no means easy.

"Compliments to CJI," Chinook head coach Mike Seymour said. "They played really well. They played with enthusiasm and a lot of hustle. And I thought we came out really flat, we didn't have a lot of life in that first half."

The Hawks did play inspired basketball, with a 3-pointer from Spencer Richter keeping things close as Chinook led just 11-7 after the first quarter. CJI would continue to keep things tight in the second stanza, too, as Richter hit another three and Noah Bender gave the Hawks a spark off the bench, in what was just a 20-18 Chinook lead at halftime.

"I thought we just didn't have any enthusiasm to start the game," Seymour said. "And offensively, getting the ball into the post was non-existent. We were settling for our first perimeter shot, and that's not us. That's not who we are. So we addressed those things at halftime."

Indeed. Chinook's strength is on the inside, and in the final 16 minutes, that's where the Beeters went. Chinook started the third quarter on a 10-2 run, and Brendan Edwards would score points in the period, as Chinook grew its lead to 40-28.

The Beeters continued to pound the ball into their big men down the stretch, too, as Cord Schneider had a big fourth quarter, and Isaac Bell capped off a 20-5 run with a three, as the Beeters finally shook off a game effort from the Hawks.

"I thought we played a lot harder, and with a lot more hustle in the second half," Seymour said. "I was happy with the way our kids responded at halftime."

Chinook dominated the second half, outscoring the Hawks 40-15, and gaining a huge rebounding edge. Schneider finished with 15 points and seven rebounds, while Edwards had 12 and Isaac Bell added 10, as the Beeters improved to 19-0 and moved into today's semifinals, where they'll face the upstart Big Sandy Pioneers.

"I want to see us come out with a better sense of urgency," Seymour said of the semifinals. "We need to play with more enthusiasm. We were coming in here off a huge win over Fort Benton, but we have to realize, we have to be ready to play every game. At this point, we know we'll get everyone's best shot. They're gonna raise their level of play against us, and we have to be ready to do the same."

CJI (3-16) will look to raise its level of play in a loser-out game this morning against North Star. The Hawks gave a valiant effort against the Beeters, getting 12 points from Richter and six points and 10 boards from Tyler Wanken.

"I told coach Murphy to be very proud of his guys," Seymour said. "They played a really good game. They were very tough against us."

The Hawks were tough, but the Beeters are still in position to defend their 9C title. They play North Star today at 4, with the winner advancing to Saturday night's championship game.

Chinook 60, Chester-Joplin-Inverness 33

Chinook 11 9 20 20 - 66

Chester-Joplin-Inverness 7 11 10 5 - 33

CJI - Lane Fischer 1, Andrew Woods 3, Noah Bender 4, Spencer Richter 12, Evan Dahinden 5, Jarrett Green 2, Tyler Wanken 6. Totals: 10-46 10-18

Chinook - Isaac Bell 10, Ethan Bell 1, Hunter Neibauer 9, Trajan Hannum 2, Reese Elliot 7, Riley Kellam 4, Brendan Edwards 12, Cord Schneider 15. Totals: 10-46 10-18.

3-pointers: I. Bell 1, S. Richter 3. Fouls: Chinook 18, CJI 21. Fouled out: None.