POLSON GIRLS BASKETBALL: Standing tall

Polson stayed aggressive during the Tipoff Tournament in

Flathead County last weekend and won both of their games to start

the season 2-0.

"We felt pretty good about it, I think we did a really good

job," Polson head coach Randy Kelley said. "The effort was the best

I've seen at the Tip-off Tournament in the last five years."

Polson stayed aggressive during the Tipoff Tournament in Flathead County last weekend and won both of their games to start the season 2-0.

"We felt pretty good about it, I think we did a really good job," Polson head coach Randy Kelley said. "The effort was the best I've seen at the Tip-off Tournament in the last five years."

Polson's guards unleashed an impressive press defense and posts Heidi Rausch and Riley Kenney took care of business near the basket for the Lady Pirates.

In their first game against Anaconda on Friday in Whitefish, Polson posted two 20-point quarters and cruised to a 66-50 victory. Rausch, fresh off a volleyball season where she destroyed the confidence of her opponents with spine crushing spikes, was a catalyst in the first half.

"Heidi gave us a lift in the first half," Kelley said. "In the second half we kind of cruised with our girls out front and Riley kind of took over after that."

Kenney continued where she left off last year - being dominant - with 21 points while Rausch finished with 14 and Anna DiGiallonardo added 13. Kelley again was impressed with the way the posts utilized put-back opportunities.

Polson scored 21 in the second, and then scored another 20 out of halftime to give them a 54-31 lead going into the fourth quarter.

Against Dillon on Saturday in Columbia Falls, Polson's defense was on full display as they held Dillon to single digits into two quarters. The Lady Pirates led 12-4 in the first quarter but Dillon would go onto an 11-5 run to finish out the second quarter to pull within 22-19 at the half.

Dillon would lead in the third, but Polson kicked off the fourth quarter on an 11-0 run and had complete control of the fourth quarter.

"I have to credit my assistant coach on that, we decided to come out in man defense and I think the girls responded well," Kelley said. "That's something we worked on a great deal. I think we just wore them down and Heidi and Riley worked well in that 1-2-2 formation we use."

Kelley also liked the way his team forced turnovers but also said the team will work on things in practice and continue to improve.

"Turnovers are a big thing in girls basketball and we're going to get better," Kelley said. "I feel we can improve on our press."

Polson will travel to Hamilton on Saturday to face a team that was undefeated in the Tip-off Tournament, then next Thursday they'll travel to Frenchtown.

POLSON VS ANACONDA

Polson - 13 - 21 - 20 - 12 - 66

Anaconda - 6 - 11 - 14 - 19 - 50

Lady Pirates scoring - Mackenzie Banner 3, Nina Orozco-Charlo 5, Mariah Hamel 4, Macall Banner 5, Anna DiGiallonardo 13, Riley Kenney 21, Heidi Rausch 14, Shelbi Mallon 1.

POLSON VS DILLON

Polson - 12 - 10 - 11 - 16 - 49

Dillon - 4 - 15 - 13 - 4 - 36

Lady Pirates scoring - Mackenzie Banner 1, Nina Orozco-Charlo 6, Mariah Hamel 1, Macall Banner 2, Anna DiGiallonardo 6, Riley Kenney 22, Heidi Rausch 11.