Lady Pirates battle through injuries

HAMILTON - Senior Breanne Kelley put in a 21-point performance

in two games over the weekend, but the Lady Pirates are still

trying to work out some kinks at the beginning of the season after

being hit with injuries before practices even started.

HAMILTON - Senior Breanne Kelley put in a 21-point performance in two games over the weekend, but the Lady Pirates are still trying to work out some kinks at the beginning of the season after being hit with injuries before practices even started.

"It's kind of a learning experience," Polson head coach Randy Kelley said. "We're still learning to play together."

With starting point guard Mariah Hamel out three more weeks with a dislocated elbow, Kelley has some fresh faces running the point and it will just be a matter of time before everyone clicks as a team.

However, there was no waiting for Riley Kenney, whose shoulder injury during volleyball had presented some questions going into the basketball season.

After pain in her shoulder on Friday night, Kenney still managed eight points in a 42-36 loss to Frenchtown.

Polson jumped out to a 16-12 lead at halftime but a 17-point fourth quarter by the Broncs gave them the win.

Kelley was the leading scorer with nine points, while Jonna Grant added 7.

Kenney had no pain in her shoulder on Saturday, but the 59-37 loss to Dillon probably hurt more. The Beavers shut out the Lady Pirates in the first quarter, 14-0 en route to the victory, but the formerly injured player again tallied eight points.

"Riley came in and she played pretty well considering her shoulder injury," Kenney said.

She wasn't the only one. Kelley added 12 and sophomore Heidi Rausch added five in the Dillon loss and Kelley thought that the young forward put in lots of good minutes for Polson.

Just two games in, Kelley is third in the conference in scoring with 21 total points. Kenney is sixth with 16. With weapons like that and players sure to heal up, an 0-2 start isn't much to get worried about.

"We're still a little banged up," Kelley said. With basketball having a long season; the Lady Pirates look to be playing their basketball at the end.

"We're not in a hurry," Kelley said about when his team should be peaking.

The Lady Pirates will now turn their attention to Class AA Big Sky, traveling down to Missoula on Thursday night. Last year, Polson pulled out the tremendous upset against the two-time defending AA state champions with a 50-45 victory after scoring 18 points in the fourth quarter. Kelley had 17 points in the epic win.

"I'm guessing they're going to try and get a little revenge," coach Kelley said.

The Lady Pirates plan on implementing the fullcourt press into practice this week, and Kelley also wants to focus on defense and rebounding.

"We got to get to work this week," Kelley said.

Polson will then host Whitefish, a team they beat 64-26 on the road and 67-30 at home last year.

Friday's game

Ftown - 8 - 4 - 13 - 17 - 42

Polson - 10 - 6 - 13 - 7 - 36

Lady Pirates scoring - Breanne Kelley 9, Riley Kenney 8, Jonna Grant 7, Marley Berry 3, Heidi Rausch 3, Mackenzie Banner 2, Jordan Quinn 2, Nina Orozco-Charlo 2

Saturday's game

Polson - 0 - 10 - 9 - 18 - 37

Dillon - 14 - 18 - 6 - 21 - 59

Lady Pirates scoring

- Breanne Kelley12, Riley Kenney 8, Heidi Rausch 5, Jonna Grant 4, Nina Orozco-Charlo 4, Mackenzie Banner 2, Marlee Berry 2