First title for PHS boys in 13 years

By Trent Makela / Leader Staff

Polson's first divisional title in 13 years was slow in coming, but all good things seem to move at that pace for the Pirates.

Polson (7-3, 10-8) used their trademark turtle-speed offense to get baskets when they needed them most and hurdled Columbia Falls (7-3, 12-6) atop Northwestern A with a 61-52 home win last Thursday.

The Pirates then stormed into Libby's raucous Loggers' Senior Night last Saturday before barely escaping town with their fifth-straight win, 59-55, and the conference title.

Polson's win against Columbia Falls on Thursday pulled the teams even in terms of conference records and the season series. It was Polson's nine-point margin of victory, though, that gave them the tiebreaker over the Wildcats' earlier six-point win. The win against Libby provided the icing on the Pirates' championship cake with their seventh conference win.

"A lot of credit goes to our kids for how they played over the last five games — which we've won. Everybody's contributed a team effort always," Tait said. "We depend on 8 or 9 kids and they've come up big for us. What has made this season special is probably how the kids have bought into the philosophy."

Both Polson and Columbia Falls will receive a bye in this week's Western A Divisional Tournament in Kalispell. Action will begin on Thursday, but the Pirates will not play until Friday when they take on the Whitefish - Libby victor at 4 p.m. at Glacier High School.

" We'll put in a few wrinkles, but what we've been doing will carry us into divisionals and through it," Tait said. "We just don't want our kids to get content to win the conference championship. We want to go into divisionals and beat whoever we face."

Polson 61, Columbia Falls 52

The Pirates fell behind 9-0 early, but their patient offensive attack eventually left the Wildcats tired and foul-ridden as a full Senior Night crowd gave them a push to victory.

"Our kids knew going in that we had to beat them by seven points to win the conference championship," Tait said. "They played hard to get there and we controlled the tempo to do it. It's a battle of wills to not let them get up and down the court."

Polson also benefitted from a big edge at the free-throw line. The Pirates went 20-of-27 from the stripe in the game, and the usually-proficient Wildcats attempted just three free shots of their own.

Columbia Falls picked Polson up full-court for most of the game, but by the second half their press had lost it's starch.

"We were able to break it consistently in the fourth and get open shots and layups. Their press has been very good over the years, and it's a little better at home," Tait said. "We're a little better at breaking it when we're at home so maybe it's a mental thing."

Polson 14 14 11 19 — 61

C. Falls 17 8 6 19 — 52

Polson — Ryan Kelley 15, Zach Langston 14, John Rausch 13, Craig Bagnell 7, Tim Rausch 7, Cody Doyle 3, Aaron Clarimont 2.

C. Falls — Chase Fairbank 2, Cody Bowman 7, Zane Ridings 3, Mackey Nolan 15, Austin Robbins 1, Chase Grilley 11, Mitchell Wassam 6, Grant Getts 7.

Polson 59, Libby 55

The Pirates were never outscored in a quarter and managed to match the Loggers' intensity on their Senior Night to clinch the conference title.

"Our kids overcame a long drive and their senior night - it was a real credit to them," Tait said. "They played hard, they played smart and I hope they continue it."

A trio of 3-pointers, two from Craig Bagnell and one from John Rausch, helped the Pirates maintain a slim lead after a tense second quarter. The rest of the game literally could not have been played more evenly, as both teams scored 14 points in the third and fourth quarters.

"Offensively and defensively our patience and discipline helped us keep that lead," Tait said. "We played very hard defensively - that's been the biggest factor over the last five games."

Polson also maintained the lead despite hitting just 6 of 10 free-throws in the fourth quarter.

Polson 12 19 14 14 - 59

Libby 11 16 14 14 - 55

POLSON - Craig Bagnell 14, John Rausch 13, Ryan Kelley 5, Zach Langston 10, Tim Rausch 8, Aaron Clairmont 7, Waylon Michel 2.

LIBBY - Zack Rowan 12, Jim Mee 26, Joel Fuller 7, Bryan Cooper 4, Jordan Gragert 4, Conner Benson 2.