Lady Pirates run into tough defense at state

The Polson Lady Pirates ran up against something they hadn't faced for most of the year - quality defense - and ended up going two-and-out at the state tourney, a frustrating end to a great season, but one that will be remembered as one of the best in recent memory.

The tourney started off rough with a 44-30 loss to Dillon, after Polson shot under 30 percent from the field and was held to one of their lowest scoring games all year. To their credit, though, Dillon had held a lot of teams to about 30 ppg, and their tenacious defense was just too much for the Lady Pirates.

Jenn Orchard had the lone spark, getting several 3-pointers in the second half and scoring 13 overall, but the team struggled on offense.

"Going in we were concerned about not having any tough games [during the regular season]. We were hoping to produce enough offense to win, but it just didn't happen," said head coach Bruce Thomas.

Thomas noted that Big Sky was the only team that gave the Lady Pirates fits on offense — and their only loss during the regular season. As a result, the girls had a hard time playing at the level they needed to at the state tourney, he said.

"We didn't have the intensity we needed. By the time we adjusted in the second half it was too late," he said.

Gracie Sartori had seven points, including a 3-pointer, while power forward Kara Huyser was held to just three. Jessica Buckless also had a trey, while Marilee Mowbray and Angela Shuman both had two points each.

Against Livingston, the girls managed only 26 points, led by Sartori with 10. Orchard had eight, Jaelin Vandeberg had four, Huyser had two, and Lindsay Rafter had two. The team fell 54-26.

"Gracie was our most consistent player at the tournament. Her devotion to the weight room really paid off," Thomas said. "She was able to handle the physical defense we faced."

Although going two-and-out was frustrating for a team that went into the tourney 17-1, Thomas said he had no complaints.

"I have nothing but praise for these young ladies — their work ethic, how they competed as a team, and represented the school," Thomas said. "19-3 is the best record I've ever had."

The team will lose Huyser, Orchard and Emily Fors to graduation. While Huyser and Orchard were two of the league's leading scorers, Fors was one of the most consistent players on defense and played great heads-up ball on the court.