Hawks win the 9C girls crown

The Chester-Joplin-Inverness Hawks can finally call themselves District 9C champions again.

On Saturday night at the Havre High gymansium, CJI knocked off Fort Benton 49-38 in the 9C girls championship game, as the Hawks claimed their first drastic championship in some time.

In a hard-fought championship outing, CJI trailed 14-12 at the end of the first quarter, and were down at half-time as well. But, the Hawks battled back in the second half, including a big run in the final stanza to pull away from Fort Benton, which was playing in its sixth title game in the last decade.

CJI had two players in double figures in the win, while Fort Benton got 13 points by Lilly Ferris in the tough loss.

To reach the championship game, the Hawks raced past Turner, 54-31, Friday afternoon, while Fort Benton shut down Big Sandy, 40-28 Friday as well.

The Pioneers bounced back, however.

Big Sandy reached Saturday night’s consolation game, where the Pioneers faced Turner in what turned out to be a great game for third place.

The game was a back and forth affair with Turner leading after one, but the Pioneers taking a 27-25 lead at the break. 

The Tornadoes led by five after three quarters, but the Pioneers rallied and wound up winning in overtime to advance to this week’s Northern C, as four players scored in double figures for the Pioneers.

Now, CJI, Fort Benton and Big Sandy will all play at the Northern C this week in Great Falls.