December 24, 2009
Chiefs collar Dogs after getting bucked by Broncs
By Jim Blow
Valley Journal
The Ronan Chiefs displayed a lot of their potential last week in earning a win over Mission 49-43 Saturday night after a close 66-62 loss in Hamilton on Thursday.
With a ton of hustle and positive attitude, the athletic Chiefs showed they can play hard and fast. But there was also ample display of how much there is left to learn.
“In both games we were outscored in free throws and layups by 20 points each game. We’re giving up too many easy buckets and we’re not getting enough of them,” Ronan head coach Steve Woll said.
Ronan opened the game in Hamilton by scoring just three points to the Broncs’ 17. The Chiefs spent the rest of the game trying to catch up ... and they almost did, coming up just short in a 23-16 fourth-quarter run with Hamilton escaping with the 66-62 win.
Kevin Woblewski had a solid night with 19 points, six rebounds and three steals. Lucus Black also netted 13, plus added three steals and three assists.
Justin Dusty Bull put up 12 points, five steals, six assists and three rebounds, while Jerod Tanner finished with 10 points.
“We had just 11 turnovers against Hamilton ... quite an improvement. We won the last three quarters, but we just got buried in the first quarter,” Woll explained.
Still, it was a weird night for the Chiefs, who did a lot of right things, only to come up short.
“We cut it to two a couple times. JJ (Tanner) shot a three that went in and out with 1:30 left ... I mean it was down. Then we had a three and a layup go off the rim ... just weird stuff. I asked the kids in the locker room ‘Who broke the mirror?’” coach Woll said. “We couldn’t get a break, but we sure worked hard and had a chance to win, even though we dug ourselves a hole. We played with a lot of heart down the stretch. It was just us giving up too many and not getting enough easy baskets.”
After a good night of only 11 turnovers, the Chiefs doubled that in their narrow win in Mission Saturday night. Plus, Ronan was minus 20 on the free throws and bunnies.
“They scored 34 of their 43 points on free throws and bunnies,” Woll said.
Ronan had a good start, using a smothering full-court defense to go up 27-14 through the first 13 minutes. They weren’t running much of their half-court offense, but they capitalized on a lot of steals and fast-break opportunities. But instead of closing out the Dogs in the first half, the Chiefs let them back in door.
Mission’s Jake Durglo scored on a press-buster with 2:52 remaining in the half, then Austin McDonald hit a three with 1:20 left to cut Ronan’s lead to eight (27-19) at the half.
“We have a chance to put them away, but got nothing out of the last five possessions of the second quarter. They scored to make it an eight-point game, instead of us being up 16 or 18,” Woll said.
But, the bad news wasn’t over as Mission cut the lead to four (27-23) first thing in the third quarter.
“In the locker room I told the kids that the first two minutes were crucial. But (Mission) scored twice and then it was game on,” Woll said.
Mission eventually took the lead (30-29) when Jorren Gies hit a short jumper off an offensive rebound and the game really was on. Mission took a 34-32 lead before Wroblewski hit a driving, pull-up jumper, then made his foul shot to tie the game at 34-34 with 34 seconds remaining in the third.
Mission continued to work the ball inside in the fourth quarter, but Ronan started to hit the three-ball, including a trey by Black with 2:15 left that put Ronan up 45-42. Another Wroblewski three at the 1:30 mark put the Chiefs up 48-42 and Ronan held on for the 49-43 win.
Wroblewski bagged 19 for the Chiefs, plus led his team with eight rebounds. Black and Dusty Bull had eight apiece, while Dusty Bull racked up five steals and five assists.
“We missed a lot of shots and (Mission) did a good job of making adjustments. We’d overplay, or we wouldn’t weak-side help or box out. They did a good job of taking us out of our rhythm, Fortunately we had a big fourth quarter,” coach Woll explained. “It was ugly, but the kids are playing hard. We’re just not playing smart yet. We don’t have the basketball savvy yet. We just have to keep practicing and learning by fire.”
Woll credited Mission for playing hard.
“Josh Durglo played like a senior in the fourth quarter,” Woll said, noting his team was once again out-sized. “The size difference is big, night in and night out. We just have to make sure we do all the right things. The kids are playing hard and it’s all fixable.”
Each week adds a new level of experience level to the Chiefs, who are getting a little smarter with each game.
“These nonconference games have been important. We saw lots of traps and presses and zones and size and speed ... that should help us get ready for Jan. 2,” when the Chiefs open conference play with a trip to Whitefish, Woll said. On Tuesday, Jan. 5, Ronan hosts Polson for a doubleheader with the girls, with the boys going at 6 p.m. and the girls playing at 7:30.
Woll knows his players still have plenty to learn, but he’s confident they’ll get better every week.
“They all play hard. It’s a process. It’s coming. Their attitude is good. They want to get better and they are sincere,” Woll explained. “Kevin (Wroblewski) had a great weekend. Justin (Dusty Bull) had a great weekend. Jackson (Jore) did some great things for us. It was a team effort and everybody worked hard. Good things will happen when you work that hard. We just have to get it into a controlled frenzy.”
Summary
Hamilton 66, Ronan 62
Ronan 3 18 18 23 – 62
Hamilton 17 13 18 16 – 66
RONAN - Jerod Tanner 10, Marcus Hungerford 2, Gordon North Piegan 2, Lucus Black 13, Kevin Wroblewski 19, Jackson Jore 2, Jordan Franklin 2, Justin Dusty Bull 12.
HAMILTON - Brad Pazini 13, Jeremy Powell 7, Beau Maus 8, Tyrel Exner 4, Graham Silcher 18, Tyler Pigman 8, Jeff Embree 6.
Ronan 49, St. Ignatius 43
Ronan 14 13 7 15 – 49
Mission 10 9 15 9 – 43
RONAN - Jerod Tanner 6, Gordon North Piegan 6, Lucus Black 8, Justin Dusty Bull 8, Kevin Wroblewski 19, Jackson Jore 2, Colten Cheff 2.
MISSION - Riley Whitworth-Charlo 4, Jorren Gies 15, Austin McDonald 5, Gui Silva 6, Jake Durglo 8, Josh Durglo 5.
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