Big Sandy Pioneers (Big Sandy, MT) backers were pleased Saturday as they saw their basketball squad knock off the host Hays-Lodge Pole Thunder Birds (Hays, MT), 53-40 in a league bout.

With the victory, Big Sandy upgrades its record to 6-0 on the campaign. The Pioneers host Box Elder (Box Elder, MT) to play the Bears in a C District 9 bout on Friday, January 6. The Bears come into the bout with a record of 2-0. Box Elder won 85-70 in their recent league bout against Chester-Joplin-Inverness (Chester, MT)

Next up, the Thunder Birds play the Fort Benton Longhorns (Fort Benton, MT) in a C District 9 bout, on Tuesday, December 20. Hays-Lodge Pole will attempt to upgrade on its 0-4 season record. The Longhorns come into the bout with a 1-2 record after their 48-45 league win over North Star (Rudyard, MT).