Lady Pirates ousted in return to postseason

Areanna Burke drives against a Hamilton defender. (Courtesy of Bob Gunderson)

Polson's Mckenna Hanson runs up against a Hamilton defender. (Courtesy of Bob Gunderson)

Polson's Nikki Kendall puts up a shot against Butte Central. (Courtesy of Bob Gunderson)

by Lake County Leader
| March 2, 2022 7:15 AM

After snapping a program losing streak earlier this season that spanned three years, the Polson girls returned to postseason play last weekend and nearly pulled out a win at the Western A divisional tournament at Hamilton.

Following a 58-19 loss to No. 1 seed and the host team Broncs (19-3) on Thursday, Polson gave Butte Central (15-9) a scare in consolation play Friday before falling 47-40 in their season finale.

Grace Simonich scored 10 points, Areanna Burke added nine and Lexi Wirz finished with eight points and six steals against Butte Central.

The Lady Pirates went into the half trailing by 10, but they cut the lead to five heading into the final period.

Burke hit three 3-pointers in her final high school game. Also wrapping up their careers were seniors Jaivin BadBear, Jazlyn Dalby, Gianna Fyant, Lexi Wirz and Turquoise Pierre.

Hamilton advanced to the championship game, where they lost 52-37 to Dillon. The Beavers claimed the No. 1 seed to state, with the Broncs taking the two seed. Browning earned the No. 3 seed, Columbia Falls is the No. 4 and Butte Central claimed the fifth and final spot from the tournament.

The class A state tournament runs March 9-12 at Missoula.

Butte Central 47, Polson 40

Polson 9 - 8 - 15 - 8 – 40

ButteC 17 - 10 - 10 - 10 – 47

POLSON – Grace Simonich 4 2-4 10(4r,1s), Areanna Burke 3 0-0 9(2r,3a,1s), Lexi Wirz 3 1-1 8(1r,4a,6s), Nikki Kendall 2 0-2 4(2r,1a,1s), Jazlyn Dalbey 3(2r,2a), McKenna Hanson 2(4r,2s), Ilysia Adams 2(1s,3b), Julia Barnard 1, Turquoise Pierre 1(1r,1a,2s). Team: 15 5-11 40 (19r,11a,15s,3b).

BUTTE CENTRAL – Sofee Thatcher 3 10-13 16(8r,3a,5s), Ella Moodry 2 11-12 15(5r), Brooke Badovinac 2 9-10 14(3s), Breanna Foley 2. Team: 8 30-35 47 (23r,4a,11s).

3FGs – Polson 5 (Burke 3-10, Dalbey 1-1, Wirz 1-3), BC (Badovinac 1-3).

Hamilton 58, Polson 19

Hamilton 14 - 20 - 13 - 11 – 58

Polson 6 - 3 - 3 - 7 – 19

HAMILTON – Layne Kearns 17(6r,4a,4s), Taylor McCarthy 9(3a,3s), Taryn Searle 8, Madi Nelson 6(7r), Ayda Griffin 6, Mya Winkler 5, Lavana Wetzel 4, Lexi Brenneman 2, Harley Hansen 1. 17 20-22 58(31r,13a,12s,2b)

POLSON – Areanna Burke 4 0-0 12(3r,1a,2s), Jazlyn Dalbey 3, Ilysia Adams 2(3r), Julia Barnard 0 1-4 1(2r,1s), Grace Simonich 1(2r), Mckenna Hanson 0(6r,2a,2s), Turquoise Pierre 0(3r,1s), Nikki Kendall 0(1r,1s), Gianna Fyant 0(1r). Team: 6 2-8 19 (21r,3a,7s).

3FGs – Hamilton 4-11 (McCarthy 3-6, Kearns 1-1), Polson 5-20 (Burke 4-15, Dalbey 1-2).

Polson's Mckenna Hanson runs up against a Hamilton defender. (Courtesy of Bob Gunderson)

Polson's Nikki Kendall puts up a shot against Butte Central. (Courtesy of Bob Gunderson)