Ronan, Polson boys off to rough start
<p>Polson freshman Tanner Wilson (in purple) draws a blocking foul late in the Pirates’ 70-34 loss to Dillon.</p>
Both Polson and Ronan’s boys basketball teams took the court for the first time over the weekend in the Northwest A/Southwest A Tip-Off, co-hosted by the two schools.
For the Pirates, the tournament served as a sneak peak of the talent in the rest of Class A.
The Chiefs got a taste of Class A basketball, taking a 64-55 win over Libby on Friday night thanks to 20-point efforts from Tim Woll and Alex Quequesah.
Ronan fell to fellow Class B opponent Bigfork, 70-37, on Saturday afternoon. The Vikings are expected to compete for a Class B state title.
Polson’s team didn’t fare so well, either. The Pirates dropped a 74-30 decision to Dillon on Friday and fell again, 60-54, to Anaconda in overtime in Saturday’s nightcap.
“We knew going in that Dillon is very good, and we’re playing a lot of young kids,” Brad Pluff, the Pirates’ coach said. “We knew there would be some growing pains early. We saw that against Dillon. It was kind of the perfect storm.”
Saturday’s effort was more inspired, Pluff said.
“I really liked the kids’ effort the second game,” he said. “We came out and played much harder. We were competitive. We were scrappy. That’s really how I want them to play all year.”
Senior forward Andrew Weltz stepped up against Anaconda, collecting a team-high 24 points and 11 rebounds in the overtime loss.
“He’s a strong leader on and off the floor,” Pluff said. “He’s doing a good job filling that role for us as a leader.”
Joe Gallatin added eight points and seven boards for Polson on Saturday.
The Pirates led by four at halftime, but were unable to secure the lead or get many buckets to fall in the extra frame.
Polson continues its non-conference schedule this week, taking on Flathead tonight in Kalispell before hosting Hamilton on Saturday afternoon.
The Chiefs begin District 6-B competition on Friday, when they will host Florence. They will also see home-court action on Saturday when non-district opponent Eureka comes to the Mission Valley.
Northwestern A/Southwestern A Tip-off tournament
Friday, Dec. 13
Dillon 74, Polson 30
Score by Quarter
Dillon 26 23 19 6 – 74
Polson 6 11 9 4 – 30
Scoring Summary
DILLON – Troy Scott 24, Trae Williams 16, JD Ferris 7, Brady Richardson 6, Jason Ferris 6, Travis Ackerson 4, Chance Kluesner 4, Justin Ferris 2.
POLSON – Cedrick Smith 10, Joe Gallatin 6, Andrew Curley 5, Chris McDonald 4, Andrew Weltz 2, Hudson Smith 2, Tanner Wilson 1.
Ronan 64, Libby 55
Score by Quarter
Libby 11 14 18 12 – 55
Ronan 8 24 20 12 – 64
Scoring Summary
LIBBY – Jared Winslow 33, Michael Curtiss 6, Johnny Cielak 5, Quinn Sullivan 3, Colin Johnson 3, Isaak Jones 3, Erik Laver 2.
RONAN – Tim Woll 20, Alex Quequesah 20, Jeremiah North Piegan 8, Bryce Cullen 6, Jarred Dupuis 6, Daniel Aylesworth 3, Colton McCrea 1.
Saturday, Dec. 14
Bigfork 70, Ronan 37
Score by Quarter
Ronan 11 14 7 5 – 37
Bigfork 25 25 17 3 – 70
Scoring Summary
RONAN – Colton McCrea 5, Bryce Cullen 5, Jarred Dupuis 5, Tim Woll 8, Alex Quequesah 3, Jeremiah North Piegan 2, Rhett Duffey 7, Daniel Aylesworth 2.
BIGFORK – Adam Jordt 4, Tyler Piazolla 3, Jon Landon 11, Josh Sandry 8, Ryder Trent 12, Cam Nissen 13, Christian Evans 19.
Anaconda 60, Polson 54, Overtime
Score by Quarter
Anaconda 10 17 11 10 12 – 60
Polson 16 13 10 9 6 – 54
Scoring Summary
ANACONDA – Caleb Stetzner 18, Drew Conrady 7, Dennis Stanberry 3, Cory Stanberry 10, Jackson Wagner 9, Ethan Blume 4, Brandon Fode 9.
POLSON – Hudson Smith 2, Cedrick Smith 5, Chris McDonald 4, Andrew Weltz 24, Zaden Bautista 2, Peyton Lefthand 5, Andrew Curley 4, Joe Gallatin 8.