Pirates now 1-1 in conference

The Polson Pirates are now 1-1 in conference play after getting a big win over Whitefish and dropping a tough one to Ronan over the past week. They will look to bounce back on Friday night against Eureka before heading into the break.

The team was led against Whitefish by John Rausch, who had 13 points and some key 3-pointers, including a buzzer beater from way behind the line at halftime. Rausch got the team on the board with a trey to start the game, and Polson had no problems maintaining the lead throughout the night.

But Rausch had plenty of help, with Chris Ogle having a great night with 11 points, and Ryan Kelley adding 10. The team had great support from Craig Bagnell with five, Tyler Gordon and Spenser Sias with four, and Zach Langston with two.

"We finally shot a little better. Chris Ogle had a heck of a game with seven or eight rebounds and two or three assists — his usual strong self," said head coach Karl Tait. "Ryan Kelley came off the bench to contribute 10, so that was big, and Bagnell handled the pressure really well up front."

Tait noted that Gordon and Sias were able to do well at the post positions, which kept the Polson guards open, too.

It seemed like every time Polson needed a spark, they got it from someone. Ogle drove the lane to start the second to hit the jumper before Bagnell was awarded an intentional foul later in the quarter, sinking both free throws to make it 16-10.

Rausch had his second of three 3-pointers to make it 19-10, before bringing the ball upcourt and sinking a bomb as time expired at the half to make it 24-16.

Whitefish tried the press late in the game, but Bagnell and the rest of the team handled it well. Another trey by Ogle in the third made it 34-25, and he added another one in the fourth. Forced to foul, the Bulldogs sent Rausch to the line and his final two free throws made it 49-43.

It was a different story against Ronan on Tuesday. The game was a tight early on and the teams were tied 20-20 at halftime. The second half was a difficult one for the Pirates, however, as they were outscored by 19 points and lost by a final score of 61-42.

Chris Ogle led the Pirates with 12 points and was followed by Tyler Gordon who had nine points and John Rausch who had eight. Craig Bagnell added five points and Ryan Kelley contributed four. Zach Langston had two points.

The Pirates will travel to Eureka Friday night before taking the next week off.