Bigfork has answer to Polson challenge

KALISPELL — One game away from a potential state berth, two Polson seniors were glowing with enthusiasm.

Sarah Newton and Rochelle Woods had just avenged a loss to Whitefish to win the consolation and earn a challenge match against either Columbia Falls or Bigfork, whoever finished second in championship.

“Honestly, I’d love to play either of them,” Newton said, still enjoying the win the Lady Pirates just secured.

The win over Whitefish was a big one, Newton said.

“It was exciting to come back from the loser bracket and beat the team that gave us a heartbreak in the first game,” Newton said. “We kind of predicted we’d play them again.”

Whitefish took the first round game from Polson by a score of 68-65.

Going into the final minute and a half with a 5-point lead, critical turnovers cost the Pirate girls, Polson head coach Randy Kelley said.

He said it was ironic, but maybe just what the girls needed to get going.

“It was probably a pretty good opening game to have to get the jitters out,” Randy said.

In that one, Polson allowed Whitefish’s star player 32 points. Next time she wouldn’t be so lucky.

Polson junior Nicole Davey scored 13 to lead her team.

The following game, Polson faced Libby for a real challenge.

Libby had beat Polson handily this season.

After being down 13 at half, Randy sent sophomore Breanne Kelley on the fly.

“We kind of extended Bre out a little bit and started causing headaches for them,” he said. “And we got some steals.”

There was that and something you can’t learn on the drawing board.

“We showed a lot more heart in the second half. That’s for sure,” Randy said.

Newton really came through on defense. After Libby’s best talent, Jackie Mee, had scored 14 in the first half, she was held to nothing when Polson threw on a new defense. It was a box plus one. Newton was the one and her job was to contain Mee. After she fouled out, Davey took over. Mee scored none – that’s contained.

The game was tied with 2.8 seconds left and Woods made her mark, scoring the final free throw to win the game and advance her team to the consolation final.

Not to be forgotten, Breanne put home 19 points to give Polson the advantage.

That same defense beat Klundt and Whitefish 39-34 on Saturday afternoon.

Klundt was held to only 13 points and Whitefish was held to half of the points scored in the first meeting. 

Randy said Newton’s man coverage made a big difference.

“My goal was to not let her touch the ball, and I put all my energy toward that,” Newton said.

Again Breanne had 14. Other players needed to step up after the loss of senior Cali Hislop and sophomore Sierra Pete to injuries in previous games.

Freshman Riley Kenney was one of the girls that answered the call, scoring nine in the critical game.

With the win, Polson earned a challenge. Bigfork took second and Monday night, it was time for the Pirates’ final battle.

Woods described what perseverance it took to get to that point.

“It’s going out to give it your all for your team and coaches and work everyone puts in each day,” she said.

Randy said his team matched Bigfork’s intensity, but suffered a bit when it came to ball handling. With Pete and Hislop out, new players were in new positions, and the big adjustments may have cost the team a few key possessions.

The team totaled 22 turnovers.

“At this point in the season, you can’t afford to do that against any team,” Randy said.

But the road wasn’t easy and Polson earned it’s third place finish.

“But a lot of credit to the girls,” Randy said. “They showed a lot of heart to come back and play in that challenge game.”

Turnovers may have cost this year’s team a trip to state, but coming back in the loser bracket spells hope for future Pirate teams armed with plenty of talented young shooters, Randy said.

“We definitely have a solid foundation for next year.”