Hi-Line Boys: Hi-Line boys teams off and running

As winter arrives on the Hi-Line, so too does the high school boys basketball season. Over the weekend, many Hi-Line schools started the year strong while some faltered out of the gate.

Thursday in Shelby, the Chinook Sugarbeeters opened their season with a 55-47 win over Cut Bank. The Sugarbeeters fell behind early as they trailed 15-8 at the end of the first quarter. But they got on the roll in the second quarter as they scored 22 points in the frame for a 30-20 lead at halftime. They maintained momentum in the third quarter and held off a surge by Cut Bank in the fourth quarter for the win. Oskar Pula led the Sugarbeeters with 22 points while Toby Niederegger and Brendan Fetter each scored 11.

The Hays-Lodge Pole Thunderbirds began the All-American Indian Shootout in Billings with a game against Plenty Coups. The Thunderbirds and Warriors battled, but Plenty Coups emerged with the 77-74 victory.

The Big Sandy Pioneers opened their season with a 52-51 overtime win over Sunburst on Friday. Sunburst got off to a strong start with a 14-7 lead at the end of the first quarter. The Pioneers came back but they still trailed 37-33 heading to the fourth. But the Pioneers were able to tie the game, 47-47 to force overtime. In overtime, they edged Sunburst by one point to win the game. Wylee Snapp led Big Sandy with 16 points while Brayden Cline scored 14 points for the Pioneers.

Chester-Joplin-Inverness opened the season with a 62-42 win over Helena Christian in Cascade. After trailing by three at the end of the first quarter, the Hawks dominated the rest of the way to win the game. Blake Harmon led the Hawks with 22 points while his brother Kyle scored 19 for the Hawks.

Defending District 9C and Northern C champion Fort Benton opened its season against Saco-Whitewater-Hinsdale in Lewistown Friday. The Longhorns wasted no time showing what they got as they jumped out to an early lead and cruised to a 46-22 win to start the year.

The North Star Knights opened their season with a 54-48 loss to White Sulphur Springs in Harlowton. The Hornets jumped out to a 17-7 lead at the end of the first quarter and while the Knights were able to climb their way back into the game, they could not complete the comeback.

In Lockwood, the Harlem Wildcats battled Lodge Grass on Friday. Despite their best efforts, the Wildcats suffered a 77-74 loss to the Indians.

Saturday, Chinook played again but suffered a 44-32 loss to Belt. The Huskies jumped the Sugarbeeters for a 16-6 lead at the end of the first quarter. Through the rest of the game, the Huskies held the Chinook offense at bay on their way to victory. Niederegger was the only Sugarbeeter to reach double digits in scoring as he led the team with 17 points.

The Big Sandy Pioneers played in another barn burner Saturday as they defeated Dutton-Brady, 42-41. The Pioneers held a slim lead through most of the first half and they led 23-19 at the half. Despite the Titans' best efforts, Big Sandy held them off to improve to 2-0. Cline led the Pioneers with 14 points in the game.

CJI also improved to 2-0 Saturday with a 57-44 win over Cascade. The Hawks jumped out to a 17-7 lead at the end of the first quarter and despite some runs by the Badgers, held on for the win. Blake Harmon again led the Hawks with 24 points while Kyle Harmon scored 14 points.

On the other end of the spectrum, the Fort Benton Longhorns suffered a 55-43 loss to Melstone to fall to 1-1 on the year. The Broncs took a 15-9 lead at the end of the first quarter and despite the Longhorns' best efforts, they could not fight their way back into the game.

The Harlem Wildcats were able to bounce back Saturday with a 49-45 win over Huntley Project. The Red Devils had the early advantage as they had an 18-10 lead at the end of the first quarter. But Harlem responded with a 19-point second quarter to take a 29-25 lead into halftime. The teams went back and forth through the second half but Harlem was able to pull out the win.

North Star also bounced back for a 51-36 win over Park City Saturday. After taking a 13-9 lead in the first quarter, the Knights scored 22 points in the second quarter for a 33-17 at the half. Despite the Panthers' best efforts in the second effort, the Knights held them off for their first win of the season.

The All-American Indian Shootout came to an end Saturday. Rocky Boy finished the weekend with a 74-36 win over White Shield.

Thursday

Chinook 55, Cut Bank 47

CHI - 8 22 15 10 - 55

CB - 15 5 8 19 - 47

CHI - Oskar Pula 22, Toby Niederegger 11, Brendan Fetter 11, Braden Eoff 6, Hunter Molyneaux 3, Levi Jensen 2.

CB - Robert Reagan 20, Jackson Black 8, Dawson Vasboe 6, Quinn Rides 6, Jaydas Running 2, Chevy Burdeau 2, Tate Monroe 2, Peyton St. 2.

Plenty Coups 77, Hays-Lodge Pole 74

Friday

Big Sandy 52, Sunburst 51

SUN - 14 9 14 10 4 - 51

BS - 7 11 15 14 5 - 52

SUN - Cade Hanson 16, Josh Kearns 12, Conlan Kerfoot 10, John Buckley 7, Connor Sullivan 2, Wyatt Manthey 2.

BS - Wylee Snapp 16, Brayden Cline 14, Lane Demontiney 9, Kody Strutz 5, Ryder Galbavy 4, Jake Darlington 2.

Chester-Joplin-Inverness 62, Helena Christian 42

CJI - 16 17 19 10 - 62

HC - 19 9 8 6 - 42

CJI - Blake Harmon 22, Kyle Harmon 19, Bryce Kammerzell 8, Braden Mattson 5, Karson Pulst 5, Nate Nelson 3.

Fort Benton 46, Saco-Whitewater-Hinsdale 22

SWH - 5 5 7 5 - 22

FB 18 9 10 9 - 46

White Sulphur Springs 54, North Star 48

WSS - 17 9 15 13 - 54

NS - 7 15 12 14 - 48

Saturday

Belt 44, Chinook 32

BEL - 16 2 14 12 - 44

CHI - 6 3 17 6 - 32

BEL - Bridger Vogl 14, Garett Metrione 13, Reece Paulson 10, Keaghn McDaniel 4, Aiden Bergstrom 2, Ryley Mapston 1.

CHI - Toby Niederegger 17, Oskar Pula 7, Braden Eoff 2, Jackson Nordboe 2, Levi Jensen 2, Brendan Fetter 2.

Big Sandy 43, Dutton-Brady 42

BS - 9 14 9 11 - 43

DB - 7 12 11 12 - 42

BS - Brayden Cline 14, Lane Demontiney 8, Wylee Snapp 8, Ryder Galbavy 7, Kody Strutz 6.

DB - Aidan Reeve 18, Kellan Doheny 9, Jake Feldmann 8, Tyson Hemry 5, John Baringer 2.

CJI 57, Cascade 44

CJI - 19 7 17 14 - 57

CAS - 7 10 7 20 - 44

CJI - Blake Harmon 24, Kyle Harmon 14, Braden Mattson 6, Karson Pulst 5, Nate Nelson 4, Bryce Kammerzell 4.

Melstone 55, Fort Benton 43

FB - 9 10 13 11 - 43

MEL - 15 13 14 13 - 55

Harlem 49, Huntley Project 45

HAR - 10 19 9 11 - 49

HP - 18 7 12 8 - 45

North Star 51, Park City 36

PC - 9 8 13 6 - 36

NS - 13 22 11 5 - 51