Graham named all-state, conference MVP
Colton Graham goes to the rim against Frenchtown. (Courtesy of Bob Gunderson)
Grace Simonich takes a shot against Frenchtown. (Courtesy of Bob Gunderson)
Ronan's Marlo Tonasket Jr. looks for a shot during the Chiefs' district play-in game at Columbia Falls. (Chris Peterson/Hungry Horse News)
Elijah Tonasket. (Courtesy of Niki Graham)
Xavier Fisher drives for a layup against Whitefish. (Courtesy of Niki Graham)
Dani Coffman looks for a shot in the paint against Columbia Falls. (Scot Heisel/Lake County Leader)
Olivia Heiner leads the way upcourt against Columbia Falls. (Scot Heisel/Lake County Leader)
The Chiefs' Payton Cates puts up a jumper in front of Mission's Zoran LaFrombois (24) and Justin Brown (32) as teammate Elijah Tonasket watches in the background. (Scot Heisel/Lake County Leader)
Ronan's LaReina Cordova snags a rebound in front of Mission's Cedar Hunt. (Scot Heisel/Lake County Leader)
Jarrett Wilson drives against Havre at Dahlberg Arena in Missoula. (Courtesy of Niki Graham)
Polson senior Colton Graham was named to the class A all-state boys basketball team following the Pirates’ third-place finish at the state tournament in Missoula last weekend.
Graham, a 6-3 guard/forward, averaged about 19 points per game this season and logged five double-doubles. It’s the third all-state designation for Graham and second MVP honor.
The Northwest A postseason honors list also included two other Polson players and three from Ronan. Polson junior Jarrett Wilson was named to the all-conference first team and the all-state team for the second straight year.
Wilson and Graham also were named all-state in football last fall.
Ronan senior Payton Cates was named to the all-conference second team, while honorable mentions went to Elijah and Marlo Tonasket of Ronan, and Polson senior Xavier Fisher.
Polson head coach Randy Kelley was named the Northwest A Coach of the Year for the second straight season.
Four Ronan Maidens and a Lady Pirate made the girls all-conference list.
Ronan senior LaReina Cordova made the first team, with teammates and fellow seniors Dani Coffman and Olivia Heiner landing on the second team.
Honorable mentions went to Ronan junior Margaret Cordova, the Maidens’ main ball handler, and Polson junior Grace Simonich.
Northwest A postseason honors
Boys first team
Colton Graham, Sr., Polson (all-state, conf. MVP)
Caden Williams, Sr., Libby (all-state)
Jace Hill, So., Columbia Falls (all-state)
Jarrett Wilson, Jr., Polson (all-state)
Maurice Red Horn III, So., Browning
Boys second team
Payton Cates, Sr., Ronan
Bodie Smith, Sr., Whitefish
Tommy Running Rabbit, So., Browning
T.J. Andersen, Sr., Libby
Talon Holmquist, Sr., Whitefish
Boys honorable mention
Xavier Fisher, Sr., Polson
Elijah Tonasket, Jr., Ronan
Marlo Tonasket, So., Ronan
Joseph Bull Shoe, Sr., Browning
Justice Johnson, Sr., Browning
Alihn Anderson, So., Columbia Falls
Girls first team
Maddie Robison, Sr., Columbia Falls (all-state, co-MVP)
Mecca Bull Child, Jr., Browning (all-state, co-MVP)
Hope McAtee, So., Columbia Falls
LaReina Cordova, Sr., Ronan
Jerel White Grass, So., Browning
Girls second team
Dani Coffman, Sr., Ronan
Olivia Heiner, Sr., Ronan
Grace Gedlaman, Sr., Columbia Falls
Amari Calfrope-Thomas, Sr., Browning
Erin Wilde, Sr., Whitefish
Girls honorable mention
Margaret Cordova, Jr., Ronan
Grace Simonich, Jr., Polson
Lish Spoonhunter, Jr., Browning
Bailey Smith, So., Whitefish
Brailey Racine, Sr., Browning
Alexis Green, Sr., Columbia Falls
