Lady Pirates' season comes to an end

BUTTE - Polson's season came to an end with a 61-46 loss to Laurel on Saturday in the consolation semifinals of the Class A Girls Basketball State Tournament in Butte.

The Lady Locomotives heated up in the third quarter to pull away from the Lady Pirates but Riley Kenney finished her career on a high note, scoring 20 points and collecting nine rebounds.

FOR PHOTOS FROM THE GAME CLICK HERE.

BUTTE — Polson's season came to an end with a 61-46 loss to Laurel on Saturday in the consolation semifinals of the Class A Girls Basketball State Tournament in Butte.

The Lady Locomotives heated up in the third quarter to pull away from the Lady Pirates, but Riley Kenney finished her career on a high note, scoring 20 points and collecting nine rebounds.

Laurel was hot out of the gates, jumping out to a 21-9 lead after the first quarter. The Lady Pirate defense was able to clamp down though, and Polson went on a 12-7 run in the second quarter, including an NBA-range three-pointer by Kenney at the buzzer. It pulled Polson to within seven points of Laurel, 28-21 at the break.

Laurel made its move in the third quarter with a 21-13 run and led 49-34 heading into the final period. The Lady Locomotives never let up, and Polson finished the season with a 17-6 overall record.

Anna DiGiallonardo had 14 points for the Pirates and Mariah Hamel added seven.

Laurel won the turnover battle 15-13, with 10 steals.

LAUREL 61, POLSON 46

Polson - 9 - 12 - 13 - 12 – 46

Laurel - 21 - 7 - 21 - 12 – 61

POLSON (17-6) – Mackenzie Banner 0-4 0-0 0, Mariah Hamel 2-7 1-2 7, Anna DiGiallonardo 6-10 0-0 14, Riley Kenney 7-16 5-6 20, Heidi Rausch 0-1 5-6 6, McCall Banner 0-2 0-0 0, Jordan Quinn 0-0 0-0 0, Jessica Bagnell 0-1 0-0 0, Hallie Hovenkotter 0-1 0-0 0. Totals 15-42 11-14 46.

LAUREL (18-5) – McKenzie Webinger 5-11 0-0 14, Jayde LeFevre 1-8 2-2 5, Yahyle Gallegos 4-7 2-2 10, Hannah Weishoff 8-15 2-2 18, Bailey Love 0-1 3-4 3, Lexi Lewis 0-0 0-2 0, Kelcie Wood 0-0 0-0 0, Leslie Gappa 0-0 2-2 2, Emily Smarsh 2-4 0-0 5, Lexi Budge 1-1 0-0 3, Carlee Hart 0-0 1-2 1, Dalayna Christensen 0-0 0-0 0. Totals 21-47 12-16 61.

3-point goals – Polson 5-16 (Hamel 2-5, DiGiallonardo 2-4, Kenney 1-3, Mackenzie Banner 0-2, McCall Banner 0-2), Laurel 7-16 (Webinger 4-8, LeFevre 1-6, Smarsh 1-1, Budge 1-1). Rebounds – Polson 32 (Rausch 11, Kenney 9), Laurel 25 (Weishoff 6). Assists – Polson 10 (Hamel 4), Laurel 16 (Webinger 7). Steals – Polson 3 (Mackenzie Banner, DiGiallonardo, Rausch), Laurel 10 (Webinger 5). Blocks – Polson 0, Laurel 2 (Love 2). Turnovers – Polson 15, Laurel 7. Fouls – Polson 15, Laurel 13. Fouled out – none. Technicals – none.