Chiefs win in OT

RONAN — Hitting three shots at the end of regulation to send a game into overtime is one way to break out of a mid-season scoring slump.

That is exactly how Ronan junior Kevin Wroblewski did it.

Against Bigfork last Saturday, the Ronan boys’ basketball team found itself down by seven with a couple  minutes left in the game.

Head coach Steve Woll took a time out and the Chiefs made a few slight adjustments to try and tie the game.

Enter Wroblewski.

He hit back-to-back shots, cutting the lead to two and with 16.4 seconds left, he hit a shot to send the contest into overtime.

The Chiefs kept the late-game momentum, scoring the first seven shots and holding on for the 62-56 win.

“It was a great game,” Woll said.

Five of the 12 points in overtime came from Wroblewski, who led the Chiefs with 19 points total. Junior Justin Dustybull had four in the extra time for a total of 12.

Woll said the coaches told Wroblewski to keep trying and eventually things would turn around.

“We told him to keep chucking the ball,” he said. “You don’t have to tell Kevin twice.”

In the middle of the game, juniors Lucas Black and Justin Dustybull encountered foul trouble and bench players helped keep the game within reach.

“Our bench was key,” Woll said.

Off the bench, junior Gordon North Piegan III scored eight points and sophomore Robbie Gauthier had two.

Previously in the week, Ronan dropped a game 61-49 to Columbia Falls, the conference leader.

“We played really well,” Woll said. “Anytime you go north, it’s tough.”

Fouls did hurt Ronan, as Columbia Falls shot 29 free throws while Ronan shot seven.

“There were some calls that didn’t go our way,” Woll said.

Wroblewski led with 14 points and junior Jarod Tanner added 10.

The Chiefs travel to Polson on Saturday in the last week of regular season action before the divisional tournament Feb. 26-27 in Kalispell.

“I expect a great atmosphere and game,” Woll said.