Polson, Ronan end season at divisionals
RONAN - It was the timeout heard around Lake County. And it
wasn't a timeout at all.
RONAN - It was the timeout heard around Lake County. And it wasn't a timeout at all.
Trailing Libby 29-27 in their semi-finals matchup of the Northwestern A Divisional tournament with mere seconds left in the game, Polson pushed the ball up the court in an effort to get the tying field goal attempt from the paint.
The whistle blew, and the Lady Pirates' bench stood exasperated as nobody had made such a request for a time-stoppage. After some deliberation, Polson had to take the ball and try their last-gasp attempt against a Libby that was set back into their half-court defense.
The Lady Pirates couldn't convert and fell to the Lady Loggers in their bid to reach the divisional championship game.
Libby did force 22 turnovers in the game, and it was a close affair the entire way.
Both teams were tied 6-6 in the first quarter and Polson trailed 16-13 at halftime.
The Lady Pirates were able to turn things around and grab the 23-22 lead through three quarters.
In the fourth, things ground into an excruciating dogfight, with the ending not tipping in Polson's favor.
Libby saw some tremendous play from Jaime Gilden, who scored 13 points, many off of steals that she made.
The Lady Pirates were led by senior Breanne Kelley with nine points and they also got eight points from junior Riley Kenney.
Polson 56, Whitefish 32
The Lady Pirates made lemonade from lemons with their 56-32 victory over Whitefish on Saturday in the consolation final. Polson came out to play, jumping out to an 18-6 lead in the first quarter and going into halftime with a 28-14 advantage. Using their tremendous free throw shooting, the Lady Pirates scored 27 points from the charity stripe and pulled away further in the second half, outscoring the Lady Bulldogs 28-18.
In her the final Lady Pirates' basketball game of her career, senior Breanne Kelley led her team with 14 points while junior Mariah Hamel added 11.
By winning this game, Polson gave themselves a chance to play a challenge game if Libby defeated Columbia Falls in the Northwestern A Divisional finals.
However, the Lady Loggers lost to the Wildcats, 46-37, to end the Lady Pirates season.
Polson finished the year 13-8 and finished second in the Northwestern A regular season standings behind Columbia Falls with a 6-2 record.
Polson 56, Ronan 24
Things were playing out like your typical closely-fought Polson-Ronan matchup when the Lady Pirates scored 24 points in the fourth quarter to help advance the team to the consolation final on Saturday morning. Polson would win 56-24 thanks to 18 points from senior Breanne Kelley and 11 from junior Riley Kenney.
Things were tight in the first quarter, with Polson leading 8-4, they extended their lead to 20-10 by halftime but the Maidens were still within striking distance.
Through three quarters, everything was still very much up in the air with the Lady Pirates leading 32-19.
Then the fourth quarter sealed things up for Polson.
The Maidens were led by sophomore Courtney Clairmont, who scored nine points.
Whitefish 23, Ronan 22
This one went right down to the wire, as the Lady Bulldogs edged the Maidens in a close 23-22 opening round game in the Northwestern A tournament on Thursday.
In the first half, Maidens built a 13-10 lead over Whitefish but was outscored 9-2 in the third quarter before mounting a comeback in the fourth. Ronan had their chances at the end to get a game-winning bucket of tying free throw but couldn't convert.
Alice VanGunten led the team with seven points.
Libby 29, Polson 27
Polson - 6 - 7 - 10 - 4 - 27
Libby - 6 - 10 - 6 - 7 - 29
Lady Pirates scoring - Breanne Kelley 9, Riley Kenney 8, Mariah Hamel 6, Nina Orozco-Charlo 3, Mackenzie Banner 1
Polson 56, Ronan 24
Polson - 8 - 12 - 12 - 24 - 56
Ronan - 4 - 6 - 9 - 5 - 24
Lady Pirates scoring - Breanne Kelley 18, Riley Kenney 11, Jonna Grant 11, Mariah Hamel 9, Heidi Rausch 4, Anna DiGiallonardo 2, Nina Orozco-Charlo 1
Maidens scoring - Courtney Clairmont 9, Alice VanGunten 4, Ashleigh Lynch 3, Tailyr Irvine 3, Mariah Cheff, Trinity Rosenbaum 2, Ashley Grandchamp 1
Polson 56, Whitefish 32
Polson - 18 - 10 - 13 - 15 - 56
W-Fish - 6 - 8 - 11 - 7 - 32
Lady Pirates scoring - Breanne Kelley 14, Mariah Hamel 11, Riley Kenney 9, Mackenzie Banner 7, Nina Orozco-Charlo 6, Heidi Rausch 4, Anna DiGiallonardo 4, Jonna Grant 1
Whitefish 23, Ronan 22
Ronan - 6 - 7 - 2 - 7 - 22
W-Fish - 3 - 7 - 9 - 4 - 23
Maidens scoring - Alice Van Gunten 7, Tailyr Irvine 4,
Ashleigh Lynch 4, Courtney Clairmont 3, Ashley Grandchamp 3, Mariah Cheff 1