RONAN BB RECAP: Orange rush

RONAN - The Ronan Chiefs' up-and-down season had them heading

into this week coming off a pair of losses to Class B rivals

Florence and Eureka. Yet, that wouldn't stop Ronan from having one

of its most successful weeks of the year. The Chiefs earned two

wins in three games against a pair of Class A schools and a rematch

with a Loyola Rams team which defeated them in Ronan earlier in the

season.

RONAN - The Ronan Chiefs' up-and-down season had them heading into this week coming off a pair of losses to Class B rivals Florence and Eureka. Yet, that wouldn't stop Ronan from having one of its most successful weeks of the year. The Chiefs earned two wins in three games against a pair of Class A schools and a rematch with a Loyola Rams team which defeated them in Ronan earlier in the season.

On Tuesday, Jan. 24, the Chiefs got scoring from seven sources and battled strong for 32 minutes, but fell to Class A competitor Polson 54-41.

"After the game, we felt good," Ronan head coach Steve Woll said. "We missed a few opportunities because of their height, but it was a typical Ronan-Polson game. Both teams played extremely hard."

Marcus Hungerford scored nine points, Brady Oakland eight and Marley Tanner seven for the Chiefs, who found themselves down just 27-22 at halftime and stayed close throughout, but couldn't quite earn the win.

Robbie "Le Bourreau" Gauthier and Edmond Dupuis each added six points for Ronan, while Jalen Bell scored three and Carston Baertsch two for the Chiefs.

Three nights later, Hungerford exploded for 18 points, his second-highest output of the season, while Chris Clary scored 10 in his return from injury, as the Chiefs earned a 63-53 road win over the Class A Hamilton Bulldogs.

"I thought it was a big emotional lift," Woll said of Clary's return. "The kids were excited to have him back."

Gauthier contributed 14 points of his own and Oakland added seven in the victory.

Ronan bolted to a 20-7 lead after the first quarter and while the Bulldogs chipped away, they couldn't rally against the Chiefs.

"We hit shots and played good defense," Woll said. "When we make shots we can press and get into our comfort zone."

The visitors led by 10 at halftime and nine after three quarters while snapping a three-game losing streak.

On Saturday, Baertsch helped keep that going with 13 points, his highest total of the year and Ronan gave Loyola a taste of its own medicine, heading to their building and handing them a 50-48 loss.

"We're building confidence having everyone on the same page," Woll said. "We're running things offensively and defensively, are starting to jell, and rebound and play defense better."

After taking an 8-4 lead after the first, Ronan headed into the final stanza trailing the Rams 37-32, but refused to be denied, as an 18-11 fourth quarter would be enough to get the Chiefs over the hump and avenge their earlier defeat to Loyola.

Dupuis added nine points, while Hungerford and Gauthier continued their scorching weeks with eight points apiece as the Chiefs improved to 7-7.

"On Saturday, (Clary's) physicality helped us down low," Woll said. "He's smart and big with good hands. His return helped us with two different sources of energy."

Ronan will get to stay home this weekend, hosting Deer Lodge on Friday and Troy on Saturday.

RONAN @ LOYOLA

Ronan - 8 - 14 - 10 - 18 - 50

Loyola - 4 - 16 - 17 - 11 - 48

Chiefs scoring - Carston Baertsch 13, Edmond Dupuis 9, Marcus Hungerford 8, Robbie Gauthier 8, Chris Clary 4, Marley Tanner 3, Zach Wagner 3, Robert Faoa 1, Brady Oakland 1

POLSON @ RONAN

Polson - 11 - 16 - 15 - 12 - 54

Ronan - 8 - 14 - 9 - 10 - 41

Chiefs scoring - Marcus Hungerford 9, Brady Oakland 8, Marley Tanner 7, Robbie Gauthier 6, Edmond Dupuis 6, Jalen Bell 3, Carston Baertsch.

RONAN @ HAM.

Ronan - 20 - 13 - 13 - 17 - 63

Hamilton - 7 - 16 - 14 - 16 - 53

Chiefs scoring - Marcus Hungerford 18, Robbie Gauthier 14, Chris Clary 10, Brady Oakland 7, Robert Faoa 4, Marley Tanner 4, Zach Wagner 4, Carston Baertsch 2