Lady Pirates State-bound after taking 2nd in division
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COLUMBIA FALLS – Life is good for the Polson Lady Pirate basketball program after the girls beat Columbia Falls to advance to the Northwestern A Divisional Championship game against No. 1-seeded Frenchtown in Columbia Falls last week. The No. 2-seeded Lady Pirates lost by only five points, and the second-place finish is good enough to advance to the Class A State Tournament in Butte beginning March 8.
In the championship match, Polson got its offense flowing early, taking an 11-7 lead at the beginning of the second quarter. Frenchtown rallied in the second, holding Polson to only three more points before the half. Frenchtown’s relentless defense lifted them to a halftime lead of 23-14.
Polson bounced back early in the second half, holding the Lady Broncs to eight points in the third and allowing Polson to pull within five at the top of the fourth frame. Frenchtown held on to its lead, beating Polson 40-35.
Riley Kenney led Polson with 19 points, while Anna DiGiallonardo and Heidi Rausch put up four points each.
Frenchtown was led by Sarah Lester’s 12 points, while Vanessa Stavish put up 11.
On Friday, the Lady Pirates took on Columbia Falls in the Wildkats’ home gym.The Lady Pirates set the tone early, taking a four-point lead in the second quarter. At the break, Polson led 23-18.
The Lady Pirates began to pull away in the third, outscoring Columbia Falls 14-7 to take a 37-25 lead into the final stanza.
Polson put up 13 additional points in the fourth, and held Columbia Falls to 12, winning 50-37.
Kenney led Polson once again with 15 points, while Mariah Hamel tacked on 14 points, six of which came from beyond the 3-point line. Hamel also shot six-for-seven from the free-throw line to pace Polson.
For the Wildkats, Hope Burlage led her team with 16 points, while Haley Belgarde finished with 11.
Polson will resume postseason play at the Class A State Tournament in Butte against Beaverhead County March 8 at 2 p.m.
SUMMARY
Semifinal
Polson 50, Columbia Falls 37
Polson 12 11 14 13 – 50
Columbia Falls 8 10 7 12 – 37
POLSON – Mackenzie Banner 4, Macall Banner 5, Mariah Hamel 14, Anna DiGiallonardo 10, Riley Kenney 15, Jordan Quinn 2.
COLUMBIA FALLS – Haley Belgarde 11, Winter Kemppainen 4, Cortney White 3, Madison Sandefer 1, Hope Burlage 16, Kaity Presnell 2.
3-point goals – Polson 4 (Hamel 2, Banner, Kenney), Columbia Falls 0.
Championship
Frenchtown 40, Polson 35
Frenchtown 7 16 8 9 – 40
Polson 11 3 12 9 – 35
FRENCHTOWN –Vanessa Stavish 11, Kayla Blood 4, Emma Oostdyk 5, Sarah Lester 12, Angel Lowry 6, Holly Jacobs 2.
POLSON – Mackenzie Banner 1, Mariah Hamel 5, Anna DiGiallonardo 4, Riley Kenney 19, Heidi Rausch 4, Hallie Hovenkotter 2.
3-point goals – Frenchtown 2 (Stavish, Lester), Polson 0. Total fouls – Frenchtown 15, Polson 12. Fouled out – Hamel.
