Polson starts season 2-0

A season isn’t made in two games, but it can be a nice start.

Polson scored a total of 110 points in its first two games, as it went 2-0 at the Western A Tip-Off Tournament in Frenchtown on Dec. 13-14. This equals its win total from all of last year.

The Pirates opened the season with a 59-31 victory over Stevensville. Polson went on a 15-2 run to begin the game and led 27-8 at halftime. Malakai Curley led all scorers with 16 points off seven field goals and five rebounds, while Jesse Vail hit three three-pointers and had 12 points, eight assists, four steals, and four rebounds.

Cody Haggard and Holden Emerson each added 10 points to Polson’s balanced attack against the Yellowjackets. Emerson co-led the team with six rebounds, while Maddox Bird also had six rebounds.

On Saturday, Polson fought off a challenge from Fergus and defeated the Golden Eagles 61-43. While the game started out even with Fergus and the Pirates tied 14-14, the Pirates then went on a 14-6 run in the second quarter to lead 28-20 at halftime. They finished the game on a 16-6 run in the fourth quarter.

Haggard had a big game on the glass with seven rebounds and 13 pounds, while Emerson had five boards and 10 points. The rebounding continued down the lineup as Kyson Michel had seven rebounds and eight points, and Cason Graham also notched eight points, along with five rebounds.

Kyson Michel hit two three-points and finished with seven points. The Pirates out-rebounded Fergus 31-18.

At Frenchtown

POLSON 61, FERGUS 43

Fergus - 14 - 6 - 17 - 6 - 43

Polson - 14 - 14 - 17 - 16 - 61

POLSON SCORING: Cody Haggard 13, Holden Emerson 10, Kyson Michel 8, Cason Graham 8, Shaedon Perry 7, Maddox Bird 7, Malakai Curley 6, Jesse Vail 2.

POLSON 59, STEVENSVILLE 31

St-ville - 2 - 6 - 11 - 12 - 31

Polson - 15 - 12 - 13 - 17 - 59

POLSON SCORING: Malakai Curley 16, Jesse Vail 12, Cody Haggard 10, Holden Emerson 10, Cason Graham 4, Kyson Michel 3, Maddox Bird 2, Brayson DuMont 2

Chiefs split at Tip-Off Tournament

After opening the season with a loss, Ronan powered back with a 67-54 victory over Timberlake in the Western A Tip-Off Tournament in Frenchtown on December 13-14.

Kolby Finley hit eight field goals and led the Chiefs with 17 points. Ronan led the Tigers 26-21 at halftime and then exploded for 26 points in the third quarter for a 52-36 lead.

Laurance Lozeau had 13 points, including a 5-for-7 performance from the free-throw line, while Jhett McDonald had 10 points.

The day before, Hamilton fended off Ronan for a 57-55 victory, hitting three three-pointers and seven free throws in the third quarter for a 23-point outburst.

At halftime, Ronan led 29-26, but the Broncs pulled ahead 49-42 going into the final frame. While the Chiefs outscored Hamilton by five points in the fourth quarter, they couldn’t quite pull off the comeback.

Laurance Lozeau led the team with 19 points off seven field goals, while Kolby Finley added 12 points. Lozeau hit four three-pointers during the contest, but Hamilton finished the game with nine total as a team.

At Frenchtown

HAMILTON 57, RONAN 55

Ronan - 20 - 9 - 13 - 13 - 55

Hamilton - 11 - 15 - 23 - 8 - 57

RONAN SCORING: Laurance Lozeau 19, Kolby Finley 12, Chad Higgins 6, Wade Qualtier 5, Tayen Edmo 4, Sean Small 4, Connor Durglo 3, Trey Samsel 2

RONAN 67, TIMBERLAKE 54

T-lake - 10 - 11 - 15 - 18 - 54

Ronan - 13 - 13 - 26 - 15 - 67

RONAN SCORING: Kolby Finley 17, Laurance Lozeau 13, Jhett McDonald 10, Sean Small 7, Wade Qualtier 6, Tayen Edmo 4, Chad Higgins 4, Connor Durglo 3, Siouxpixm Qualtier 3

    Polson's Malakai Curley makes a jump shot during Saturday's game against Fergus, helping the Pirates earn their second victory in the Frenchtown Tip-Off Tournament. (Bob Gunderson photo)
  

    Ronan's Laurance Lozeau goes up for a lay-up during Saturday's game against Timberlake during the Frenchtown Tip-off Tournament. His 13 points helped the team win 67-54. (Bob Gunderson photo)
  

    Polson's Cason Graham goes up for a basket during last Friday's game against Stevensville. The Pirates won 59-31. (Niki Graham photo)