Chiefs b-ballers results vary in tournament
THREE FORKS — The Ronan High School boys basketball team suffered a shock in its opening tip-off 74-38 loss to Big Timber Friday to start the Three Forks Tournament.
Chiefs’ Coach Mitchell Wassum was “OK” for his team to experience an early-season setback.
“Obviously, your intention was to win every game but you are going to have some hiccups in the season and our team saw the amount of effort, rebounding and communicating as a team we need to do,” Wassum said. “The Big Timber loss was just a wake up call. I told them after the game ‘this isn’t the end stop on your journey where you want to end up.’”
Wassum credits the play of Big Timber and said his team’s communication breakdowns were contributing factors to the lop-sided result.
“Big Timber just actually flat outplayed us and it was a mental lapse,” Wassum said. “Our team was not rebounding and refused to get a body on someone. It was one of those types of deals and we played a lot harder (against Boulder).”
Ezekiel Misa led the Chiefs in the loss with 22 points, Casey Mock had six, Jackson Duffey had five, Anthony Camel had three, and Isaiah Arrow Top Knot finished with two in the loss.
In the second game of the Three Forks Tournament, the Chiefs defeated what Wassum referred to as an “equally good” Boulder team 61-51 Saturday.
“There were a lot of different dynamics in that game,” Wassum said. “They were very guard-heavy dribble drive. Boulder was a little bit bigger athletically and both teams were very talented.”
The Chiefs’ depth was tested in the Boulder game because their starters found themselves in early foul trouble thought Wassum, who said prior to the start of the season, that Ronan boasted 14-deep.
“The tournament was huge experience wise and in the Boulder game, we got into foul trouble with four of our five starters picking up two fouls in the first quarter,” Wassum said. “Our players off the bench were able to give us some great minutes. It was a good experience all the way around to have 11 kids play in both games.”
Wassum said there was a substantial difference in play between Big Timber and Boulder.
Kobe Morigeau had four 3-point baskets in the game to lead the Chiefs with 19 points, Perry Panzetanga finished with 13, Duffey had four 3-point shots and finished with 12, Misa had seven, Casey Mock had six, Anthony Camel had two, and AJ Velasco finished with two.
“It was night and day between our Big Timber and Boulder games,” Wassum said. “The kids played way harder and the effort was there. The attitude was completely different and (losing by a large margin) was like a smack in the face. It woke them up and they realized that we are where we want to be right now.”
The Chiefs will play Mission High School Friday to open its conference schedule.
“Any time that you play someone that is 18 miles away, the kids know each other, they are friends and know their tendencies inside and out,” Wassum said. “This game is for bragging rights. I am very blessed to go out and show our district that we are here and ready to go.”
On Monday, they will play their second conference game against Loyola-Sacred Heart at 7 p.m. Friday in Missoula.
“They are talented, have a lot of tradition and have been good for a long time,” Wassum said.
The Chiefs will also play against Eureka in non-conference action for the second time this season at Eureka on Saturday. In the first game of the season, the Chiefs defeated them 52-39.
“It’s always tough to play someone twice and that is good for us personal wise,” Wassum said. “We knew they had a lot of seniors and could shoot the ball really good. Having seen them not once but now twice, we will guard the kids a little tighter.”
The Chiefs will follow this up with a highly anticipated match when they travel for their non-conference game Tuesday at Polson’s Linderman High School.
Wassum said his focus against the Pirates will be to shut down Matthew Rensvold, Tanner Wilson, and Jeremiah North Piegan.
“We are going to have to play some man to man and some zone,” Wassum said. “You aren’t going to stop a kid like Rensvold. You just have to limit him, make him work and play solid defense on him. He’s just a talented kid. This match up will be good for us. We will match up with a lot of kids offensively and keep our kids fresh. All three of those kids can score and are physical.”
Big Timber 74, Ronan 38
Ronan 15 7 9 7 – 38
Big Timber 24 17 22 11 – 74
RONAN – Ezekiel Misa 22, Kasey Mock 6, Jackson Duffy 5, Anthony Camel 3, Isaiah Arrow Top Knot 2.
BIG TIMBER – Kell Schwers 29, Blake Finn 19, Casey Gunlikson 9, Ethan Bullock 6, Jacob Roberts 5, Dennis Boshart 3, Cody Hathaway 2, Shayden King 1. (Fr09Dec16)
Ronan 61, Boulder 51
Ronan (2-1) as of this game
Ronan 19 7 21 14 – 61
Boulder 11 13 12 15 – 51
RONAN – Kobe Morigeau 19, Perry Panzetanga 13, Jackson Duffey 12, Zeke Misa 7, Kasey Mock 6, AJ Velasco 2, Anthony Camel 2.
BOULDER – Josh Eckmann 18, Noah Fader 10, B. Harrington 11, H. Gubsti 6, B. Peterson 5, Leary Lincoln 1
(Sa10Dec16)