Big Sandy boys take second at state, Chinook girls fall short

BILLINGS — The Big Sandy Pioneers finally won a state championship in football. That happened back in November. The Pioneeers also nearly did the same in basketball.

However, Saturday night at the Metro in Billings, Big Sandy’s magical ruin to a state championship in basketball came up just short as the Pioneers fell to Manhattan Christian, 74-65, in the Class C state championship game.

The loss to the Eagles ended a spectacular ride from the Pioneers, who finished only third at the District 9C tournament and second at the Northern C before reaching Saturday night’s chipper.

But, after their exciting win over Broadus on Friday night, it seemed as though the Pioneers' magic ran out. Against the Eagles, Big Sandy fell behind 19-14, and they could never catch up. The Eagles tacked on 20 points in the second stanza to lead 39-28 at intermission, and while the Pioneers cut the lead down to eight points late in the third quarter, the Eagles came right back to push the lead to as many as 15 points in the fourth stanza. But, the Pioneers didn’t quit fighting as Kody Strutz hit two key buckets to cut the lead back to single digits late in the game. And yet, Manhattan Christian held on for the win, denying the Pioneers the chance at the rare football-basketball double-double.

In the title game, Big Sandy got 17 points from Lane Demontiney, while Strutz scored 12.

Big Sandy (22-6) reached the state championship game with its 55-53 win over Broadus in the Class C state semifinals Friday night. In that game, the Pioneers got 22 points by Isaac Pedraza, while Braydon Cline added 13.

Chinook girls go 1-2

The Chinook Sugartbeeters added to the Hi-Line excitement by playing in the Class C girls state tournament this past weekend as well.

After a first-round loss in Billings, Chinook bounced back with a 76-61, loser-out win over Roberts on Thursday. Chinook scored 24 points in the second quarter to take the lead over Roberts, then finished the game on a 17-4 run to advance in the tournament. In the win, Alexus Seymour poured in 30 points, while Hallie Neibauer scored 28 in an incredible tandem performance.

The win pushed Chinook into Friday’s consolations semifinal, where the Beeters were ousted by a familiar foe. In a 49-40 loss to Northern C champions Roy-Winifred, Chinook’s season came to an end. Neibauer led the way for Chinook with 15 points, as the Sugarbeeters finished an oustanding 25-3 in their final season in Class C.

Chinook will now move back to Class B next season, and will play in the District 1B. Saco-Whitewater-Hinsdale captured the Class C girls state championship Saturday night with a 59-26 win over Twin Bridges. Roy-Wiinifred finished third.

Manhattan Christian 74, Big Sandy 65, 1st

BIG SANDY: Lane DeMontiney 17; Wylee Snapp 12; Kody Strutz 12; Isaac Pedraza 8; Braydon Cline 8; Cooper Taylor 5; Ryder Galbavy 3.

MANHATTAN CHRISTIAN: Seth Amunrud 29; Mason Venema 18; Tebarek Hill 17; Christian Triemstra 4; Austin Kriebel 2; Nathan Adams 2; Rance Hamilton 2.

Big Sandy 55, Broadus 53, SF

BIG SANDY: Isaac Pedraza 22; Braydon Cline 13; Kody Strutz 7; Lane DeMontiney 7; Wylee Snapp 6.

BROADUS: Marcus Mader 19; Dillon Gee 18; Eli Heacock 7; Cooper Zimmer 4; Jaxon Bilbrey 4; Josh Rasmussen 1.

Chinook 76, Roberts 61, LO

CHINOOK: Alexus Seymour 30; Hallie Neibauer 28; Bree Swanson 8; Hannah Schoen 6; Jenna Liddle 2; Anna Terry 2.

ROBERTS: Taylee Chirrick 30; TJ Chirrick 9; Hailey Croft 8; Bentley Bertolino 7; Laynee Holdbrook 7.

Roy-Winifred 49, Chinook 40, LO

CHINOOK: Hallie Neibauer 15; Bree Swanson 8; Mya Berreth 5; Jenna Liddle 4; Addison Olsen 3; Torin Cecrle 3; Hannah Schoen 2.

ROY-WINIFRED: Isabelle Heggem 26; Laynee Elness 13; Hannah Ewen 4; Lyla Ewen 4; Jayda Southworth 2.