Just shy of one big win, the Maidens still searching

RONAN — The Maidens came a little closer to getting a much needed win this weekend, and did it in cancer awareness.

Ronan sold pink ribbons for its home game against Whitefish on Friday as part of a state-wide effort to raise cancer awareness. In addition, the coaches for Ronan and Whitefish wore sneakers and the Maidens wore pink shoe laces and came out in pink sweatshirts to commemorate the cause.

“There was a lot of recognition and the students participated,” Maidens head coach Jami Schall said. “It got the awareness out there.”

Against Whitefish, the Maidens held in until the last three minutes when they ran into some trouble, and the Bulldogs pulled just out of reach to win 54-49.

“If the turnovers were down and we had the confidence to hold the ball, then we might have been victorious,” Schall said.

Her team has started to make the right passes at the right time and is moving the ball better than earlier in the year, Schall said.

The leadership of senior guard Jordan Strozzi didn’t hurt either.

Strozzi found her stroke and stepped up to blast off enough treys and inside shots to finish with 21.

“She was taking her open shots and they were falling for her,” Schall said. “She played very smart basketball on Friday.”

At Valley Christian the night before, it was freshman Morgan Belgarde who took the reins, scoring 24 points to lead their team in a comeback attempt against the Eagles.

“This whole weekend we played better team basketball,” Schall said. “We’re taking strides in the right direction and we’re still hoping to put a whole game together.”

Ronan Chiefs head coach Steve Woll was involved in the effort to raise cancer awareness. He said a valley-wide day of recognition where all the teams get together for a game is something he would like to see come together next year, citing the Salish Kootenai College as a possible venue for the event. The idea is still in the works.

The Maidens host Polson at 6:30 p.m. on Friday night. If it’s anything like the last one, fans shouldn’t miss it.