Loggers sink late three, Pirates lose heartbreaker
<p>Will Davey splits two defenders on his way to the basket. </p>
LIBBY — A tight and grueling game found the Pirates up by two in the final minute of the fourth quarter. But then, with just a flick of the wrist, Polson found their two-point lead transform into a one-point deficit as Libby’s Jared Winslow’s game winning 3-pointer with just over five seconds to play sent the Pirates home in defeat.
Winslow - who leads the conference in 3-point field goals made (22) and who is second in points per game (17.1) - didn’t surprise anyone by taking the last shot. In fact, it was expected he would.
“Winslow, we know he’s a good shooter, he leads our league in 3-pointers,” said Polson head coach Brad Pluff. “He got a good look and he made it.”
With just over five seconds remaining in the game, the Pirates had one last shot to win. But as the shot was hoisted and the final buzzer sounded, Polson’s attempt was missed and the Loggers secured the win.
“We drew up a play, didn’t execute it that well, got a decent look and just missed it,” said coach Pluff.
Winslow finished the game with 15 points and Barak Lapka chipped in with 13 as the Loggers fought back after trailing by five at halftime.
The Pirates had plenty of opportunities to take their halftime lead and produce it into a victory. Unfortunately, the Pirates went 6-18 from the charity strip, something coach Pluff simply addressed.
“You have to shoot better than that from the free-throw line to win basketball games.”
Although the Pirates feel they left a winnable game out there on the free-throw line, they are encouraged by the solid play by Will Davey. In the absence of injured starting point guard Cedric Smith, Davey has taken over as the floor general and has been impressive, especially since his natural position is forward.
Davey finished the game with 11 points, seven rebounds and three assists. Riley Sampson also finished with 11 points and Cedric Earthboy contributed 10 points.
The loss puts Polson (0-2 in league, 3-5 overall) into last place in the Northwestern A standings. Up next for the Pirates, back-to-back home games Friday and Saturday night when they host Flathead and Whitefish.