Polson Pirates split tip-off games

At the NWA/SWA Tip-Off in Frenchtown, the Polson Pirates drew a split on their pair of season opener contests.

Friday against the Beavers, a sluggish start would leave the Pirates trailing by a double digit deficit they didn’t overcome.

Colton Graham led all scorers with 18, while Anton Lefthand and Trevor Lake collaborated on another 14 points apiece.

The following day against the Red Devils of Glendive, the Pirates placed a trio in double digits on the way to a 60-42 win.

The Pirates travel to Browning for their conference opener Saturday, Dec. 14.

Polson 60, Glendive 42

NWA Polson (1-1), NEA Glendive (1-1)

Glendive 5 12 6 19 – 42*

Polson 15 9 17 19 – 60

GLENDIVE – Taven Coon 14, Riley Basta 12, Michael Murphy 6, Max Eaton 5, Parker Buckley 3, Basil Cristafulli 2.

POLSON – Anton Lefthand 4 2-4 11, Gunnar Grisak 5 0-2 10, Colton Graham 4 2-3 10, Trevor Lake 2 3-5 7, Jarrett Wilson 3 0-0 6, *Bo Kelley 2 1-3 5, Xavier Fisher 0 3-4 3, Ryker Wenderoth 1 0-1 2, Braunson Henriksen 1 0-2 2, Sam Fisher 2, Alex Muzquiz 0 1-2 1, Jony Perez 0 1-2 1.

3FG – G7 (Coon 4, Basta 2, Barkley), P1 (Lefthand). (Sa07Dec19)

Asterisk (*) denotes stat variants where media coverage differs from original scorebooks: D.Rowsey FTs initially colored in for makes, but erased for misses. B.Kelley FTs 1-3 instead of 0-3

Dillon 61, Polson 44

NWA Polson (0-1) SWA Dillon (1-0)

Dillon 18 11 13 19 – 61

Polson 4 12 18 10 – 44

DILLON – Jace Fitzgerald 14, Conner Curnow 12, Braden Anderson 11, Justus Peterson 9, Cole Truman 8, Cole Johnston 7.

POLSON – Colton Graham 7 1-2 18, Anton Lefthand 2 2-4 7, Trevor Lake 3 1-5 7, Gunnar Grisak 2 0-0 4, Bo Kelley 3, Xavier Fisher 3, Braunson Henriksen 1 0-1 2, Ryker Wenderoth 0 0-2 0.

3FG – D9 (J.Fitzgerald 4, Curnow 2, Anderson, Peterson, Johnson), P6 (Graham 3, A.Lefthand, B.Kelley, X.Fisher) (Fr06Dec19)

Ronan splits at Frenchtown

At the NWA/SWA Tip-Off in Frenchtown, the Ronan Chiefs would forge a split with their pair of contests.

Against Stevenville, Ronan spent most of three periods of the game playing catchup with the pesky Yellowjackets, trailing by a half dozen entering the final frame. But then the Chiefs lit a match to the fuse of momentum as they exploded during the final frame by doubling up the scoring to surge ahead. Girma Detwiler and Leonard Burke both scored among the 20s.

The following day against Butte Central, there would be no comparable rally. Ronan matched the Maroons during the second frame, but were outscored in each of the remaining periods. Girma Detwiler and Leonard Burke would combine for 20 points, but would have need a comparable contest to that of the game prior to offset the 30s scored by Braden Harrington.

Ronan hosts the Bitterroot Broncs of Hamilton on Thursday, December 12, then travel to Arlee for a cross-classification clash with the 6B Warriors on Saturday, December 14.

Butte Central 64, Ronan 43

NWA Ronan (1-1), SWA Butte Central (2-0)

Ronan 7 12 13 11 – 43

Butte Central 16 11 21 16 – 64

RONAN – Girma Detwiler 3 3-4 11, Leonard Burke 3 2-2 9, Elijah Tonasket 4 0-0 8, Trey Don’t Mix 2 2-5 6, Zarec Couture 1 1-3 3, Payton Cates 1 0-2 2, Saul Blackweasel 1 0-0 2, Kuba Detwiler 1 0-0 2, Dillon PrettyOnTop 0 0-0 0, Franklin Zepada 0 0-0 0. Totals 16 8-16 43.

BUTTE CENTRAL – Braden Harrington 14 1-4 33, Luke Heaphy 4 0-1 10, Jared Simkins 2 1-1 5, Gator Yelenich 2 1-2 5, Bryan Holland 2 1-2 5, Trevor Neumann 1 0-0 3, Aaron Richards 1 1-1 3, Thomas McGree 0 0-2 0.

3FG – R3 (G.Detwiler 2, Burke), BC 7 (Harrington 4, Heaphy 2, Neumann) (Sa07Dec19)

Ronan 61, Stevensville 54*

NWA Ronan (1-0), SWA Stevi (0-1)

Stevensville 17 10 14 13 – 54

Ronan 11 12 12 26 – 61

STEVENSVILLE – Kellan Beller 5 10-18 22, Ethan Shobe 3 4-10 12, Tanner Pendergast 3 3-4 10, Sean Craft 6, Gavin Rahl 1 2-4 4.

RONAN – Girma Detwiler 8 5-6 21, Leonard Burke 7 4-5 20, Trey Don’t Mix 3 2-5 8, Zarec Couture 2 0-1 4, Elijah Tonasket 3, Payton Cates 2, Saul BlackWeasel 2, Franklin Zepeda 0 1-4 1, Dillon PrettyOnTop 0 0-2 0, Sage Coffman 0.

3FG – S5 (Bellar 2, Shobe 2, Pendergast), R3 (Burke 2, Tonasket). (Fr06Dec19)

Asterisk (*) denotes stat variant(s) where alternate data exists among media coverage: 406mtsports R63p (Burke 22p, G.Detwiler 20p, T.Dont’Mix 6p, S.Coffman 3p), S54 (Bellar 21p, Shobe 13p, Pendergast 8p, Rahl 6p). Unable to resolve discrepancies prior to deadline.

Warriors recalibrate,

electric as usual

At the Western C Tip-Off in Ronan, the Arlee Warriors would split their inaugural tournament openers.

The Warriors would tether the Blackhawks of Seeley-Swan with a collaborative effort of almost three dozen from Cody Tanner and Levi Fullerton to offset the two dozen by Owen Mercado.

Against the Darby Tigers, the Warriors were plagued by a sluggish start that found them trailing by a dozen after the first frame. During the second period, Arlee would start to find their grove as they erased the deficit to knot the contest at 27 apiece. Another big quarter would give them a two possession lead, but the Tigers refused to tuck their tails. The hot shooting hand of Arlee the Tigers to forge some headway as they would overtake the lead 51-50. The score would tie at 55 apiece as the game was winding down. Contest leading scorer Nelson Smith would net a triple to give the Tigers the lead. Foul troubled would come back to bite the Warriors as three starters would foul out over the course of the final minutes of crunch time. Arlee would make a pair of free throws to close the gap to within one, but too many weapons had been relegated to the bench for the Tigers to be overtaken.

Arlee hosts Ronan on Saturday, December 14.

Loyola 79, Arlee 54

(M09Dec19)

Darby 58, Arlee 57

6B Arlee (1-1), 13C Darby (2-0)

Arlee 5 22 23 7 – 57

Darby 17 10 19 12 – 58

ARLEE – Levi Fullerton 6 6-8 22, Cody Tanner 6 5-8 20, Mich Johnson 2 0-0 6, Zach RunningCrane 1 1-1 4, Joe Parisian 1 0-5 3, Sage Nicholai 2.

DARBY – Nelson Smith 27, Gabe Smith 12, Preston Smith 10, Tyler Davis 4, Jordan Anderson 4, Christian Humphrey 1.

3FG – A11 (Fullerton 4, C.Tanner 3, M.Johnson 2, Nicholai, RunningCrane), D7 (N.Smith 4, P.Smith 2, Davis). REB – A31 (Fullerton 9, RunningCrane 8, M.Johnson 5, Parisian 4, Nicholai 3, C.Tanner 2). AST – A3 (RunningCrane 3). STL – A13 (C.Tanner 5, Fullerton 4, Parisian 3, Nicholai). BLK – A4 (Fullerton 2, C.Tanner, RunningCrane). (Sa07Dec19)

Arlee 52, Seeley-Swan 46

6B Arlee (1-0), 13C Seeley (0-1)

Seeley 12 6 11 17 – 46

Arlee 9 13 13 17 – 52

SEELEY-SWAN – Owen Mercado 24, Dakota Wood 9, Quinlan Ream 6, Walker McDonald 4, Sawyer Shelmerdine 3.

ARLEE – Cody Tanner 5 8-12 19, Levi Fullerton 6 3-4 16, Joseph Parisian 2 0-0 6, Micah Johnson 1 2-4 5, Zach RunningCrane 2 0-0 4, Sage Nicolai 2.

3FG – S (Mercado 2, Ream 2, Wood), A5 (Parisian 2, Fullerton, C.Tanner, M.Johnson). REB – (C.Tanner 9, RunningCrane 6, Fullerton 5, M.Johnson 4, Parisian 3, Nicholai 2, Larenz SmallBoy, Troy Tewawina). AST – A9 (C.Tanner 4, M.Johnson 2, Parisian, Fullerton, RunningCrane). STL – A (C.Tanner 6, M.Johnson). BLK – A2 (Fullerton, C.Tanner). (Fr06Dec19)

Mission startles Stars

At the Native American Classic held in Great Falls, the Mission Bulldogs would open their season schedule against

Against State C qualifier, Northern C runnerup Rocky Boy, the Mission Bulldogs were plagued by a sluggish start as the Northern Stars put a dozen on the scoreboard. Thereafter, the contest would be fairly evenly matched.

The Bulldogs would outscore Rocky Boy in the final frame, but couldn’t carve deep enough into the deficit to extend the contest.

The Bulldogs host Mission Valley rival Charlo in a cross-classification clash on Friday the 13th for their home opener.

Rocky Boy 60, Mission 57

7B Mission (0-2), 1B Rocky Boy (2-0)

Rocky Boy 12 21 18 10 – 61

Mission 4 20 17 16 – 57

ROCKY BOY – Ben Crebs 20, Jojo StandingRock 9, J. Demontiney 9, Sean Gibson 8, Blake Cantrell 7, Sarinas Mithlo 6, Kitipskaw Baker 2.

MISSION ST. IGNATIUS – Jedi Christy 28, Isaiah Nasewytewa 8, Ayden Rosenbaum 6, Zoran LaFrombois 5, Adams 4, John Komotios 2, Ross McPherson 2, Layne Spidel 2

3FG – MSI 3 (Christy 2, ( Nasewytewa), RB7 (Standing Rock 3, Demontiney 2, Crebs 2).

(Sa07Dec19gm11)

Harlem 72, Mission 58

7B Mission (0-1), 2B Harlem

Harlem 22 12 15 23 – 72

Mission 9 19 18 12 – 58

HARLEM – RJ Ramone 22, Brad Cichosz 17, Tyler Cichosz 12, Trent Main 8, Daniel Lawrence 7, Jehton LongFox 4, Cassuis Johnson 2.

MISSION ST. IGNATIUS – Jedi Christy 28, Isaiah Nasewytewa 10, Layne Spidel 7, John Komotios 4, Ayden Rosenbaum 3, Kellen McClure 3, Ross McPherson 2, Kolten Gardipee 1.

3FG – MSI (Christy 3, Nasewytewa 2, Komotios, McClure), H8 (Ramone 3, T. Cichosz 2, B. Cichosz 2, Lawrence). (Fr06Dec19gm6)

Vikings reforging

new identity

At the Western C Tip-Off held at Ronan, the Charlo Vikings split their weekend fare.

The Vikings travel to St. Ignatius for a rivalry wrangle with the 7B Mission Bulldogs Friday, Dec. 13, then host Clark Fork Saturday.

Charlo 62, Lincoln 40

14C Charlo (1-1), 13C Lincoln (0-2)

Charlo 8 12 21 21 – 62

Lincoln 8 12 18 8 – 46

CHARLO – *Roper Edwards 6 2-5 19, *Dawson Dumont 6 1-1 14, Coyle Nagy 4 1-1 9, Phil Marquez 2 3-6 8, Levi Gaustad 3 0-0 6, Keaton Piedalue 2 0-3 4, Nate Clark 2.

LINCOLN – Ryan Greenwood 16, Nathan Brown 15, Brodi Henderson 11, Trenton Grontier 4.

3FG – C7-15 (Edwards 5-9, Dumont 1-2, Marquez 1-2). REB – C23 (Marquez 7, Gaustad 5, Nate Clark 3, Nagy 2, Dumont 2, Piedalue 2, Edwards, Braydon Zempel). AST – C6 (Marquez 2, Nagy, Dumont, Edwards, Gaustad). STL – C15 (Marquez 5, Edwards 3, Nagy 2, Dumont 2, Piedalue, Clark, Gaustad). BLK – C1 (*Gaustad). (Sa07Dec19)

Asterisk (*) denotes stat variant(s) where unofficial JH tally differs from media coverage: Edwards (6x3FG, 1x2FG, 2xFT)22p, Dumont (5x2FG, 1xFT)11p. CVspecs: C13r (Marquez 5r, Piedalue 2r, Clark 2r, Gaustad 2r, Nagy 1r, Edwards 1r), Marquez 4a, C15s (Dumont 4s, Marquez 3s, Edwards 3s, Piedalue 2, Gaustad 2, Nagy), C1b (Edwards). discrepancy in steal credits attributed to differences between crediting instigator or benefactor.

Philipsburg 66, Charlo 47

Charlo (0-1), 13C Granite (1-0)

Philipsburg 18 23 14 11 – 66

Charlo 9 10 6 18 – 43

PHILIPSBURG – Kade Cutler 20, Bryce Parret 14, Brian Ward 10, Preston Metesh 9, Daniel Brabender 9, Kai O’Donnell 4.

CHARLO – Keaton Piedalue 5 1-5 11, Phil Marquez 5 0-2 10, Roper Edwards 3 1-1 10, Levi Gaustad 3 1-3 8, Coyle Nagy 2, Dawson Dumont 2.

3FG – P (Cutler 2), C4 (Edwards 3, Gaustad). REB – C25 (Gaustad 5, Nagy 5, Edwards 5, Piedaleu 3, Marquez 3, Dumont 2, Nate Clark, Colt Hovet). AST – C10 (Edwards 4, Gaustad 3, Dumont, Tucker Love). STL – C11 (Edwards 3, Marquez 2, Piedalue 2, Gaustad 2, Nagy, Clark). BLK – C1 (Piedalue). (Fr06Dec19) Tally of expanded stat specs may not be comprehensive. Philipsburg = Granite, P-burg

Two Eagle River

drops two games

At the Native American Classic held in Great Falls this past weekend, the Two Eagle River Eagles opened their new season schedule with a pair of losses, but showed measurable improvement over team performance the preceding year by more than doubling their point productivity.

Both Michael Brown and Anthony Charlo scored among double figures in both contests. Sheadyn Croft netted eleven over the course of both games on the weekend.

Browning JV 83, Two Eagle 41

Two Eagle (0-2)

Browning 19 19 19 27 – 83*

Two Eagle 7 15 13 6 – 41

TWO EAGLE RIVER – Michael Brown 7 4-10 19, Anthony Charlo 4 2-4 11, Nate Gates 2 2-4 6, Sheadyn Croft 2 0-0 5.

BROWNING JV – Justice Johnson 8 3-6 19, Dale LePlant 15, Riley Reevis 12, Tayron Burdeau 11, Randon White 8, Riley Cromwell 8, Lance EagleFeathers 4, Thunder Smith 3, Tyshay BearMedicine 2, Joseph Murray 2.

3FG – TER3 (Brown, Charlo, Croft) Bjv 0. (Sa07Dec19)

Asterisk (*) denotes stat variant(s) where scorebook individual tallies do not align with final score.

Kainai 66, Two Eagle River 42

Two Eagle (0-1)

KAINAI – Cam ChiefMoon 17, Franklin CrazyBull 12, Zack EagleBear 9, Aapina’kos CryingHead 8, Jett BlackWater 8, Justin Shouting 5, Jacob BlackWater 5, Kazz BigSorrelHorse 2.

TWO EAGLE RIVER – Anthony Charlo 11, Michael Brown 11, Sheadyn Croft 6, Elias Adams 6, Cailan Burke 4, Nate Gates 4.

3FG – K7 (CrazyBull 3, CryingHead 2, ChiefMoon 2), TER2 (Burke, Brown).