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2013-2014
WINTER SPORTS
December 2013
www.havredailynews.com
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2013-2014
December 2013
WINTER SPORTS
www.havredailynews.com
HLP boys know they T-Birds have a new coach Chinook boys have talent, but a new style can contend in the 9C George Ferguson
Havre Daily News sports editor gferguson@havredailynews.com
Daniel Horton
Havre Daily News sports writer gferguson@havredailynews.com Hays-Lodge Pole continues to stay relevant in the District 9C boys basketball ranks, but the Thunderbirds are still looking for the edge necessary to take the program back to the next level. Last season, a 5-5 conference record left the Thunderbirds in the middle of the district pack, but they failed to advance to the Northern C tournament for yet another season. But playing the 20132014 season with a group of very good returning players, the Thunderbirds will look to build off of what they were able to accomplish last season. And while Box Elder is getting all of the talk as an early 9c favorite, the Thunderbirds
know they too will be tough. “We are going to be very competitive this year in the 9C,” Head coach Charlie Ereaux said. “We will be right up there with Box Elder, you can’t count us out.” A year ago, Hays-Lodge Pole returned just one varsity starter. But this year HLP has four returning players that could lead the way to a very solid season. Jaylyn Brockie graduated and took his 6-8 size with him, but returning guards Evan Horn, Sterling White Cow, Cody Kirkaldie, and Darnell Parisian give the team a lot of quickness and athleticism outside and on defense. The rest of the 9C also lacks a lot of size this season, setting the stage for the Thunderbirds to have a big advantage. Keenan Stiffarm and Nate Doney will give the Thunderbirds a pres-
ence inside on both sides of the court, and that could lead a standout season. “Our size is definitely going to be and advantage and probably our biggest strength,” Ereaux said. “But everybody still has to play, bigs and guards. We have to crash the boards and box out hard. We are looking to limit teams to one opportunity on offense and that is it. With this talented group of returning varsity players the Thunderbirds could break through to the next level and extend their post season past the 9C tournament in Havre. Hays-Lodge Pole will start the regular season at the annual Native American Classic at the MSU-N Armory Gymnasium in Havre. The Thunderbirds will face Kainia (Canada) and Harlem to open the new season.
Havre Daily News/Daniel Horton Hays-Lodge Pole's Sterling White Cow, left, is one of many talented players on this year's Thunderbird squad, which is led by veteran head coach Charlie Ereaux.
Last season, the HaysLodge Pole girls were a basketball team on the verge. HLP was stacked with talent and size, but the Thunderbirds came up just short at the District 9C tournament. Now, with a new head coach, and having to replace its two leading scorers, including a Class C All-State standout, HLP might be in for a rebuilding season. Shakayla White Cow, who led the 9C in scoring the last two seasons, graduated, along with Kallie Martin, and that leaves some big holes to fill for new head coach Charla Brown. However, HLP does return a few key parts from last year’s team, including 6-1 forward Chasanna Doney and 5-9 forward Brandie Kirkaldie. Pauline Siers, a 5-5 senior guard is also back for the T-Birds, and she was HLP’s third-leading scorer a year ago. And while the T-Birds have some talent and they do have size, which is a big advantage in the 9C, they will still have to contend with a rigorous schedule, which includes 9C stalwarts Chinook, North Star and Big Sandy. Still, HLP always seems to
Beeters should be right in the mix in the 9C race this winter Daniel Horton Havre Daily News sports writer gferguson@havredailynews.com
peak come tournament time, and don’t be surprised if the T-Birds are ready to make some noise come February in Havre. The T-Birds open the season with two games at this weekend’s Native American Classic in Havre.
Havre Daily News/Daniel Horton Hays-Lodge Pole's Pauline Siers, right, looks to shoot during a District 9C girls loser-out game last February in Havre. The Thunderbirds will have size and athleticism for new head coach Charla Brown.
Losing players to graduation is something most teams have to deal with every year. But in the District 9C ranks, a true post player has been hard to come by in recent years, and the Chinook Sugarbeeters may feel the effects of those graduated players, invluding a dominat post, more than some. The Beeters have been near the top of the District 9C basketball ranks for some time now. And size down low has been a strength for the Beeters for the last half of a decade. But with Grant Tilleman now out of the Beeters’ lineup, the Chinook inside-out style may take a hit. Chinook also lost a key scorer in Dylan Surber from last year's team, as well as a few other key members of a team which played in several dramatic games at the 9C tournament last February in Havre. “That definitely changes what we do,” Head coach Mike Seymour said. “One way or the other, the ball still has to go inside, but without that height and without Grant’s strength and brute size, we have to play a little different. I think everybody has to step up this year, just one kid can’t step up, everybody and every area of our game has to improve. “This is a new year,” Seymour added. “A new season, and we have new players. That is what we are focused on, and we have to take this season game by game. We don’t have an easy schedule and every game is going to be a tough game for us, but that is what we need before the post season.” Last year, the Beeters finished the regular season 10-8 overall and 5-5 in the district ranks. And after an up-and-down 9C tournament, the Beeters’, who were an early favorite, ended the season with a heartbreaking loss to Big Sandy in a challenge game. Returning guards Zach Molyneaux and Lane Seymour will highlight the team this season, and both return after All-Conference honors a year ago. But Ty Simonson also saw decent minutes last year, and will join Jake Diemert and Jacob McLain as returning players. But without Tilleman’s size inside, the Chinook guards know they have quite the load to carry, especially facing a balanced field.
Havre Daily News/Daniel Horton Chinook senior Zach Molyneaux looks to shoot during the 2013 District 9C boys basketball tournament last February in Havre. The Sugarbeeters have been in the top three in the 9C for the last four years, but they lost several key components from last year's team, which finished one win shy of reaching the Northern C Divisional tournament in Great Falls.
“I think Box Elder is the frontrunner and after that it is wide open,” Coach Seymour said. “The other teams are fairly close, and it is going to be a great season in the 9C.” Chinook will open the new season with two games at the Big Sandy Tournament. As always, the Beeters play a tough nonconference schedule.