Davey leads Pirates in tournament

HAMILTON - Polson senior Nicole Davey decided to end her basketball career with a bang.

During the Class A Girls State Basketball Tournament, Davey turned in 33 points and 22 total rebounds while playing all 64 minutes of Polson's two games. The Pirates went two-and-out in Hamilton last weekend. Davey was awarded first team all-conference honors after the divisional tournament.

Head coach Randy Kelley said after the first loss, he thought his team had a good chance to play for third place.

"We would've liked a different outcome," he said. "We had a good chance."

The Pirates were also playing without junior Sierra Pete, who injured herself during the divisional tournament where she made first team all conference.

"Anytime you lose a player, it has an affect on the team," Kelley said. "She's looking forward to coming back, she's very competitive."

In its opening game against Sidney, Polson worked to a tie after the first quarter before a two-point second quarter delayed the Pirates, making three field goals during the first 16 minutes.

"That was a difference in the game," Kelley said.

Polson battled in the second half, outscoring the Eagles 27-22, but the efforts weren't enough in the 44-40 loss. Sidney used its defense to put the pressure on Polson before moving on to take second in the tournament. Kelley said Sidney played a man defense, but used switching to throw off the Pirates, who hadn't seen that type of defense all year.

"It took awhile for us to adjust," he said.

Junior Breanne Kelley, a Class A state tournament honorable mention and first team all conference member, led with 13 points and sophomore Riley Kenney, a second tem all conference member, added 11 and went 5-for-5 at the free throw line. Davey had 10 points and grabbed six defensive rebounds.

In its second game, a loser-out contest, Polson started with a 12-8 lead after the first quarter, but like its first game, shot poorly during the second quarter.

"We just got in a lull and ran out of gas," Kelley said.

This led to a 27-20 deficit at the half. A 15-point fourth quarter wasn't enough as the Lady Pirates lost 52-44. Havre went on to take fourth in the tournament.

In the last game of her career, Davey led in most categories on the stat sheet. She earned a double-double of 23 points and 14 rebounds. She made three free throws and played all 32 minutes. Sophomore Riley Kenney added 10 points and five rebounds. Sophomore Mariah Hamel, an all conference honorable mention, dished out four assists and added four points.

Defensively, Polson played well, Kelley said, using man defense.

"Going in, after watching film, we used that because a lot of teams had success against the teams we played," he said.

In both games, Polson nabbed more defensive rebounds but Havre drained a few 3-point shots.

"That kind of burned us," Kelley said.

Overall, Kelley said his team had a lot of success. Polson ended with a 14-8 record that included an underdog win over Missoula Big Sky and second place in the Northwestern A division.

The Pirates graduate one senior, Davey, who showed a lot of leadership this year.

"What she did for us is awesome," Kelley said. "She had a huge role and did well for us. She's definitely not a selfish player, though. We're going to miss her a lot."

Next year, Kelley said he believes the Pirates can make a repeat performance at state, giving Pete a chance to play instead of watch.

"We will definitely have her to make another run," he said.