Sugarbeeters ready to compete at state

It's already been a special season for the Chinook girls basketball team. And in the Sugarbeeters' final season of Class C hoops, they're capping off that special run with a trip to the Class C state tournament.

"The state tournament has found the best eight teams in the state in our class, and it is going to be an extremely fun and difficult tournament, but one I think our girls are excited and ready for," Chinook head coach Mike Jones said. "I think they have earned their spot and I am excited to see what happens at the tournament."

The Beeters (24-1) indeed earned their way to state, first by winning the District 9C championship two weeks ago, then finishing second and winning a contentious challenge game against arch rival Fort Benton to punch their ticket to state two weeks ago in Great Falls.

Now, Chinook can take a big sigh of relief, and just focus on hoops as the Beeters square off against Eastern C champion Saco-Whitewater-Hinsdale in the first round of the state tourney Wednesday night in Billings.

And while North Country is loaded with talent after finishing third a year ago, and the tourney features many great teams overall, Jones said his team won't change what has worked so well thus far.

"Our expectations are still the same. Play each game with energy and effort and get after defensively," Jones said. "Offensively, just play and have fun. Take open shots and play for and with each other."

Chinook is really good on both ends of the floor.

Offensively, Hallie Neibauer averages over 20 points per game, while Alexus Seymour also scores in double figures. Mya Berreth and Bree Swanson are also veteran leaders for the Beeters, who have had one heck of a year, winning district championships and reaching the state tournament in both basketball and volleyball.

Of course, Chinook doesn't just want to play at state, the Beeters want to win.

North Country will be a stern test for Chinook in the opening round, while the winner of that game will face Southern C champion Roberts or Western C runner-up Manhattan Christian, another state tourney team from a year ago.

The top half of the bracket features yet another returning powerhouse in Western C champion Twin Bridges, which takes on Southern C runner-up Ekalaka in the opening game of the tournament Thursday afternoon.

The winner of that game will meet either defending state champion and Northern C winner Roy-Winifred or Eastern C runner-up Plentywood in the semifinals, which take place Thursday at 6:30 and 8 p.m. The consolation game is set for Saturday at 3 p.m. and the championship game will be held Saturday at 6 p.m.

And that's a game the talented Sugarbeeters are hoping to be a part of, in what will be their final weekend of Class C basketball for the foreseeable future.

"To make a run, I think we need to play loose offensively and then work extremely hard on defense as five girls on the floor and a loud engaged bench," Jones said.

Chinook opens the Class C state tournament Wednesday at 7:30 p.m. against North Country. All of the Class C girls and boys state tournament actions takes place Wednesday through Saturday at the First Interstate Bank Arena at Metra in Billings.