Maidens knock Polson, Whitefish out of Postseason

Ronan ended Polson’s season with a 46-36 victory during the play-in round of the Western A Divisional Tournament on Saturday, Feb. 17, in Polson. The Maidens also knocked Whitefish out of the fray by a score of 49-37 on Thursday, Feb. 15

The Maidens outscored Polson 17-3 in the second quarter of Saturday’s game for a 27-12 lead and then weathered a two-point third quarter to pick up the win and keep their season alive.

Ronan was led by Kailyn Marengo’s 21 points, while Arianna Zepeda added nine points. Polson’s McKenna Hanson had 12 points. Polson ended their season 10-10 overall.

Ronan opened up its hunt for a Divisional berth with a play-in victory over Whitefish last Thursday. Marengo scored 12 points for the Maidens, who notched their seventh win of the season.

Ronan led 26-16 at the half and maintained its lead in the second half.

Zailee Hewankorn notched 11 points for the Maidens, while Neveah Perez had nine points.

Ronan moves on to the Western A Divisional Tournament at the Butte Civic Center this weekend, where they will face Frenchtown at 1:30 p.m. on Thursday, Feb. 22.

At Polson

RONAN 46, POLSON 36

Ronan - 10 - 17 - 2 - 17 - 46

Polson - 9 - 3 - 6 - 18 - 36

POLSON SCORING - McKenna Hanson 12, Rylee Taylor-Jefferson 6, Julia Barnard 5, Ahrianna Rushing 4, Samantha Rensvold 4, Hinkley Moss 3, Aleysia Black 2

RONAN SCORING - Kailyn Marengo 21, Arianna Zepeda 9, Neveah Perez 6, Maddy Illig 5, Lauryn Buhr 4, Zailee Hewankorn 1

At Whitefish

RONAN 49, WHITEFISH 37

Ronan - 11 - 15 - 11 - 12 - 49

W-Fish - 6 - 10 - 13 - 8 - 37

WHITEFISH SCORING - Camry Kelch 9, Bailey Smith 7, Jude Perry 6, Ainsley Scott 6, Yoli Krastev 3, Madi Gordon 2, Carmella Alfieri 3, Charlize Ullrich 1

RONAN SCORING - Kailyn Marengo 12, Zailee Hewankorn 11, Neveah Perez 9, Maddy Illig 5, Lauryn Buhr 4, Arianna Zepeda 4, Kylee Kelch 4

Lady Pirates defeat Libby for third time

Rylee Taylor-Jefferson scored 20 points, and Polson defeated Libby 39-32 during their first play-in game of the week last Thursday.

The Lady Pirates led 18-14 at halftime and fended off Libby in the second half.

McKenna Hanson added nine points to their efforts. The Lady Pirates defeated Libby all three times they faced the Lady Loggers this season.

At Polson

POLSON 39, LIBBY 32

Libby - 5 - 9 - 8 - 10 - 32

Polson - 9 - 9 - 9 - 12 - 39

POLSON SCORING - Rylee Taylor-Jefferson 20, McKenna Hanson 9, Aleysia Black 3, Samantha Rensvold 3 Julia Barnard 2, Ahrianna Rushing 2

Polson takes down Whitefish

Playing in a makeup game, Polson’s offense surged in the middle quarters on its way to a 49-33 Northwestern A Conference victory over Whitefish on Tuesday, Feb. 13.

Rylee Taylor-Jefferson led the Lady Pirates with 15 points, while Samantha Rensvold had 10.

Polson trailed 6-5 after the first quarter but went on a 14-7 run in the second quarter for a 19-13 halftime lead. In the third quarter, the Lady Pirates went on an 18-9 run to gain full control of the game.

Aleysia Black added seven points to Polson’s efforts. Polson finished the regular season 6-6 in conference play and 9-9 overall before advancing to the divisional tournament.

At Whitefish

POLSON 49, WHITEFISH 33

Polson - 5 - 14 - 18 - 12 - 49

W-Fish - 6 - 7 - 9 - 11 - 33

POLSON SCORING - Rylee Taylor-Jefferson 15, Samantha Rensvold 10, Aleysia Black 7, McKenna Hanson 5, Julia Barnard 4, Jaja Nichols 1

WHITEFISH SCORING - Bailey Smith 12, Ainsley Scott 8, Charlize Ullrich 4, Yoli Krastev 4, Charlize Ullrich 4, Madi Gordon 2, Carmella Alfieri 2, Camry Kelch 1

    Maiden Neveah Perez puts up two points during Saturday's rematch with the Lady Pirates. (Susan Lake photo)
  

    Polson's Rylee Taylor-Jefferson makes a layup during last week's game against Libby. (Bob Gunderson photo)