POLSON BB RECAP: Back on track

POLSON - The Pirates got back to their winning ways with a 69-46

Northwestern A victory over Libby on Saturday night, thanks to a

balanced attack that saw four different players reach double

digits.

"After two losses, it was important for us to get back into the

win column," Polson coach Brad Pluff said.

POLSON - The Pirates got back to their winning ways with a 69-46 Northwestern A victory over Libby on Saturday night, thanks to a balanced attack that saw four different players reach double digits.

"After two losses, it was important for us to get back into the win column," Polson coach Brad Pluff said.

Polson got rolling to a 16-2 lead to begin the game and pushed it to 19-6 heading into the second. That's when Vince DiGiallonardo took the game over, scoring Polson's next 10 points as the Pirates would eventually go into halftime with a 33-19 lead. Ian Laimbeer took over the third quarter for the Pirates, scoring eight of Polson's points and pushing the lead to 52-37 headed into the fourth. The Pirates continued to score in bunches and were able to finish the Loggers off in the fourth.

"I like how we put them away at the end," Pluff said. "It was good to see the team finish strong. Earlier in the year we would have a team down by 20 and they would end up cutting it to 12 so this is good to see."

Tyler Krell finished the game with 13 points and continued to look strong as one of the best big men in the conference.

"He definitely brings a lot more confidence this year and we try to take advantage of his size because not many people can match up with him," Pluff said.

Laimbeer finished the game with 10 points and hauled in nine rebounds. The top-ranked rebounder in the conference heading into this week continued to attack the glass for the Pirates as did Krell. Polson outrebounded Libby 27-13.

Zack Camel also scored 12 points for the Pirates and they improved to 5-3 on the season and 2-1 in the conference. It was a nice win to bounce back from a 60-43 loss to Corvallis on Friday. Polson had a rough night, shooting 26 percent from the field, was 3-of-24 from three-point range and 8-of-18 from the line.

"Against Corvallis we missed a lot of open shots," Pluff said. "It was just one of those nights."

DiGiallonardo put on perhaps the best defensive performance of the season, holding down Corvallis star Riley Bradshaw to just 10 points.

"I think Corvallis was our best defensive game," Pluff said. "Vince did a good job on Bradshaw. He was frustrated a bit with the shooting but we told him that as hard as he worked on the other end of the floor it's going to affect his shot. Then he carried us in the second quarter of the Corvallis game, it was good to see him do that."

It was a close game for much of the way, with Corvallis leading 26-18 at halftime and only ahead 38-31 going into the fourth. However, Corvallis went on a 22-12 run in the fourth quarter to pull away. Krell led the team with 14 points.

Now, Polson turns its attention to Class AA Flathead on Friday. Pluff said that it will be a test of physical play since AA teams tend to try and use their size.

"It's going to be a big challenge for us," Pluff said. "All of the bigger schools like to rip you up a little bit but I think we match up."

Then it's a big conference matchup against 5-4 Whitefish on Saturday, where Pluff wants his team to shutdown Northwestern A leading scorer Gage Vasquez and three-point specialist Cooper Olson.

"I think that we can score and go inside on them," Pluff said. "We need to keep those two in check."

Both Polson and Whitefish are tied for second in the conference behind Columbia Falls.

CORVALLIS 60, POLSON 43

Corvallis - 12 - 14 - 12 - 22 - 60

Polson - 6 - 12 - 13 - 12 - 43

Pirates scoring - Tyler Krell 14, Vince DiGiallonardo 2, Will Davey 4, Ian Laimbeer 7, Zach 7, Cody Fischer 7, Riley Sampson 2

POLSON 69, LIBBY 46

Libby - 6 - 13 - 18 - 9 - 46

Polson - 19 - 14 - 19 - 17 - 69

Pirates scoring - Tyler Krell 13, Vince DiGiallonardo 10, Will Davey 5, Ian Laimbeer 12, Zach Camel 12, Cody Fischer 8, Brady Hislop 3, Riley Sampson 6