Lady Pirates continue to bring the D

LIBBY - Since giving up 50 points in a loss to Flathead on Jan.

19, Polson's defense has put the clamps down. Pressing their

opponents and running the 1-2-2 diamond zone defense, the Lady

Pirates have given up just 26.7 points per contest in their last

seven games.

LIBBY - Since giving up 50 points in a loss to Flathead on Jan. 19, Polson's defense has put the clamps down. Pressing their opponents and running the 1-2-2 diamond zone defense, the Lady Pirates have given up just 26.7 points per contest in their last seven games.

That held true this week when Polson star Riley Kenney outscored Corvallis by herself on Friday night at home in a 60-18 victory. Kenney led all scorers with 24 points while the Lady Blue Devils couldn't crack double digits until well into the third quarter.

"They work hard," Polson head coach Randy Kelley said of his team's defense. "The girls have really bought into it and they scrap. They get after it. I like where the girls are defensively."

That defense has helped the offense, keying fast breaks and keeping a fast-paced style of offense that the girls seem to thrive on. That was evident when Polson went on a 10-0 run against Corvallis to start the game and the Lady Blue Devils didn't score points until midway through the period. The Lady Pirates would have another big run to start the second quarter and led 29-7 at halftime, thanks largely to 16 first-half points by Kenney.

Polson continued the intensity in the second half and finished the third quarter off with a 20-0 run to lead 54-12 going into the fourth quarter. The Lady Pirates cruised to victory and picked up their third win of the season where they held an opponent under 20 points.

Along with Kenney's 24, Heidi Rausch was solid in the post with 12 points and Anna DiGiallonardo had 10 points. DiGiallonardo also had six steals against Corvallis.

"She has done a really good job at point on defense," Kelley said. "She's kind of got a second wind when she gets a little tired or the team gets tired; she has an extra gear."

On Saturday, Polson faced off against Northwestern A rival Libby on their home floor and held them to just 12 first-half points en route to a 48-30 victory.

After an absolute explosion of points, including a 21-8 run in the second quarter, Polson dropped back in a half-court zone which wasn't its usual style of play and Libby was able to score 18 second-half points.

DiGiallonardo used her second wind to sink 10 points in the second half and finished with 13. Kenney was her usual brilliant self with 16 points and Mariah Hamel had nine.

"We've had some girls step up in the past three games," Kelley said.

Kelley said that Hamel has done a good job taking care of the basketball, while the Banner sisters, Macall and Mackenzie, have played great defensively. Junior Heidi Rausch has been doing plenty of hard work as well.

"We put her on the toughest player inside," Kelley said of Rausch. "She's pretty physical and she gets after it on defense."

The Lady Pirates will be turning their attention to the divisional tournament in Columbia Falls after an important matchup against Whitefish on Saturday.

After their loss to No. 1 ranked Frenchtown Tuesday, Polson wants to finish the season on a high note. And then it's tournament time.

"If we're going to make a run it's our defense that's going to be the difference for us," Kelley said. "Defense will be the key and our rebounding. Riley and Heidi have been doing a good job on the glass. We've just got to show up."

CORVALLIS @ POLSON

Corvallis - 4 - 3 - 5 - 6 - 18

Polson - 13 - 16 - 25 - 6 - 60

Lady Pirates scoring - Riley Kenney 24, Heidi Rausch 12, Anna DiGiallonardo 10, Macall Banner 3, Mariah Hamel 3, Jordan Quinn 3, Mackenzie Banner 2, Malia Hamel 2, Shelbi Mallon 1

POLSON @ LIBBY

Polson - 13 - 21 - 5 - 9 - 48

Libby - 4 - 8 - 10 - 8 - 30

Lady Pirates scoring - Mariah Hamel 9, Anna DiGiallonardo 13, Riley Kenney 16, Heidi Rausch 4, Macall Banner 1, Tegan Bauer 2, Hallie Hovenkotter 1, Shelbi Mallon 2