This week begins the junior high basketball season. Returning as the Pioneers girls coach is Travis Baumann and new to our boys program this year is Katie Nicholson. This season will prove to look differently than those of years past. There will be no district tournament and many of the games will be played as double-headers to reduce the amount of travel by the teams. Scheduling junior high basketball games around varsity volleyball and football always proves to be challenging, so check the Big Sandy High School web site often for scheduling updates. The Pioneers take on the Turner Tornados at home in double-header action on Friday, the 23rd, beginning at 3:00 p.m.
The Pioneer volleyball team plays their last week of regular season games this week. They were due to play Box Elder on Thursday, but the lockdown of the Rocky Boy Reservation has led to the cancellation of this game. They will face the CJI Hi-Line Hawks in their final home game on Saturday, the 24th at 6:00 p.m.
Pioneer football also continues this week with first round playoff action. The Pioneers cinched the northern division championship last week with their win over Power-Dutton0Brady. They play the east’s fourth seed Wibaux Longhorns on Saturday, the 24th at 1:00 p.m. The Montana High School Association recently announced changes regarding spectator number due to the rapidly increasing number of Covid-19 cases across the state. Each player will be allowed only six tickets, with managers receiving four and coaches two. This will mean that not all of our Pioneer supporters will be able to attend the game in-person. The game will be broadcast via the NFHS network in the school auditorium and at local establishments.
The MHSA also announced changes for the start of varsity basketball and wrestling. Originally slated to begin November 16th, this season’s practices will not start until December 7th, with the first competition starting on January 4th. According to the association, “the delay will allow time for schools and communities to assist in flattening the curve and to get through two holiday seasons within their own teams and within their own communities before contests begin”.
