Ronan AAU takes Lolo Creek

POLSON — Ronan’s Seventh Grade AAU team picked up a 33-25 victory over Lolo Creek last weekend at the Polson AAU tournament before losing in a close one to Frenchtown and falling to Polson.

“We’ve been doing really well this season and we’ve gone 7-3 in our last 10 games,” coach Jack Duffey said.

Seventh grade AAU squad uses size to get past Missoula area school

POLSON — Ronan’s Seventh Grade AAU team picked up a 33-25 victory over Lolo Creek last weekend at the Polson AAU tournament before losing in a close one to Frenchtown and falling to Polson.

“We’ve been doing really well this season and we’ve gone 7-3 in our last 10 games,” coach Jack Duffey said.

In the Lolo Creek game, Duffey said his squad’s two post players proved to be the difference. Lolo didn’t have an answer for them and Ronan was able to pick up the eight point victory.

In a 32-24 loss to Frenchtown, Ronan had one of its key players go down with an ankle injury.

“Frenchtown also played a zone and that’s the first time we’ve seen a zone,” Duffey said.

Then Ronan matched up against the 10-4 Polson Pirates Purple team, and while they fell 47-11, they gave Polson some defensive looks they hadn’t seen before despite being short-handed.

Ronan will take this weekend off and then play in its home gym for the Ronan AAU Tournament next weekend. Duffey said that the parents and fans really do enjoy the tournaments closer to home.

“I prefer that and I think the parents get frustrated sometimes with the away events,” Duffey said. “Even when we go down to Missoula, that’s a long day for a seventh grade kid — and for the parents — there goes their day too. It can be taxing economically as well.”

Ronan should wow the home crowd. While they’re still learning the fundamentals, they’ve shown plenty of promise.

“They’re a lot of fun,” Duffey said. “They’re a good group and they try hard. This home tournament will be special for them, and since their families will be there, they’ll be excited.”