The Blaine County Journal News-Opinion - We've Got The County Covered

Another High School Basketball season is in the books for our Blaine County High School teams and with that comes the release of the All-Conference and All State teams. This year Chinook junior Hallie Neibauer and Turner junior Ryan Doyle each found themselves on the Northern C All-State and District 9C 1st Team All-Conference lists. Sugarbeeter Head Girls Basketball Coach Mike Jones was also named Co-Coach of the Year for the District 9C.

Chinook senior Bree Swanson was named to the 1st Team All-Conference list for the District 9C while teammate, sophomore Alexus Seymour was named 2nd Team District 9C All-Conference. Hays/Lodge Pole junior Alliya Pretty Paint and Turner senior Dakota Krass were also named 2nd Team District 9C All-Conference. Harlem Lady Cat junior Emma Billmayer was named 2nd Team District 2B All-Conference.

Chinook senior Brenden Fetter was named to the boys 2nd Team District 9C All-Conference while Harlem senior Marley Stewart was named 2nd Team District 2B All-Conference.

Chinook Head Coach Mike Jones had high praise for his three award winners, "Bree, Hallie, and Alexus had a great year for us. They really bought into the team concept and just did what was best for the team in whatever capacity they were asked to do."

Jones commented on is All-State selection, "Hallie is a great player on all sides of the ball. She is the definition of unselfish. She is the hardest worker on the floor. She makes everyone on our team better each and everyday."

Jones added, "Bree and her pure athleticism was a great thing to have on our side, plus her defensive abilities. Often times she had to guard the first or second best player and she sold out on defense and it translated to some transition buckets for her. Her leadership was also something that was instrumental for our post season run."

"Alexus had a great season as well. She works extremely hard on her game as well as her basketball IQ. As a sophomore I think she was one of the best underclassmen. Her ability to score and her anticipation on defense was great for our postseason run."

Jones attributes a ton of the success to his seniors, "I also want to shout out these seniors as a whole that really stepped up my first year. What they did for this program has really worked to get not only themselves but the program as a whole out from the bottom of the District. They were great leaders and truly left this program better than when they got here.

Jones was humble in his Coach of the Year award, "Having a great team really helps. Having a crew of girls like we did sure makes me look like a good coach. Also the coaching staff that is around me contributes immensely and that award is really something that I would attribute to a team effort. I am extremely proud of these girls and coaching staff this year because they accomplished something that hasn't been done in quite a long time."

Turner Head Boys Coach Darci Ammen was not surprised by the recognition Doyle received, "Ryan had a great season and grew as a player and a leader of the team. He made first team all conference and all state selection based upon playing both ends of the floor and really putting in a ton of work on his own on the off season. He's got great basketball IQ and he demonstrates it on the floor." Ammen added, "Many of the coaches in 9-C have verbally complimented his ability and I'm glad he's being recognized. I am looking forward to having him and the rest of the boys back next season." Doyle averaged 18 points, five rebounds, four assists three steals and a block per game for the season.

Turner Head Girls basketball Coach Julie Welsh said of her All-Conference selection, "Dakota has always been a level headed player and easy to coach. She is going to be missed as she was both a threat inside the paint and out front. The only thing I won't miss is her choice of music! She will know what I mean." Krass recorded 12.1 points per game this season.

Lady Cat junior Emma Billmayer has been a three year starter and Head Coach Brandon Trottier is happy to see her get recognized, "Emma is coming off a season where she had to become our leader of the team and I know it was tough at times. I thought she accepted that role very well."

Coach Trottier adds, "Emma is the type of player that doesn't look to be in the spot light or anything like that. She is a very hard worker and a very humble kid, she likes to involve her teammates. What stood out to me this season about Emma's game was when things weren't going our way. She kept on going and pushing until the end of each practice and each game. She didn't give up and quit. I know she was frustrated at times but for the season we had this year. I believe she will come back next season a better player for her team.

Hays/Lodge Pole Head Coach Cody Shambo had plenty of good things to say about his All-Conference selection, "Alliya is a very talented player. Apart from being naturally athletic, she works very hard to improve each year. Alliya is a great team player as well and looks to get her team involved. I am really proud she made the list of top players in the conference, she earned it."

Junior Ryan Doyle - Turner 1st Team 9C All-Conference Northern C All-State

Chinook Head Boys Basketball Coach Chad Jones talked about his senior selection, "Brendan had an awesome season. He put up over 260 points for us on the season averaging just under 19 points per gage. Brenden shot 64% from the free throw line, averaged 2.5 assists per game, and five rebounds. Brenden's stats speak for themselves as to why he was one of the top athletes in the conference. In addition, he absolutely out-hustles everyone on the floor all game long and was our defensive leader all season. I'm very proud of his effort and leadership for us this year."

The Harlem Wildcat boys team had probably the most to overcome at the start of the season but Head Coach Ben Carrywater and his Wildcats came a long way. Carrywater commented on his senior selection, "Marley had a great senior season for us, he had a few injuries that he battled through for the team, but he didn't let that slow him down. He lead the team in scoring, rebounds and blocks. Averaging a 12.5 points, 6 rebounds and 3.5 blocks per game. He posted a triple double where he had 21 points 11 rebounds and 10 blocks against Cut Bank. Marley was well deserving on getting All Conference second team.