Chiefs edge Libby, fall to Bigfork
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The Ronan Chiefs basketball team took to the court during the opening weekend at the Tip Off Tournament in Columbia Falls and Whitefish, winning a nailbiter on Friday against Libby before falling to No. 1 Bigfork the following day. Ronan head coach Steve Woll says he thought his team played well, and was glad to get some of his younger players more playing time, as four Ronan starters and injured teammate Chris Clary were absent against Bigfork, due to taking the ACT.
“With only two kids with varsity experience, it was a good weekend for them to prepare for playing at the next level,” Woll said. “I thought they kept their composure on Friday when Libby couldn’t miss in the third quarter. They kept plugging away, and I’m pretty happy.”
Against Libby, Edmond Dupuis scored 13 points, while Brady Oakland added 12. The Chiefs shot out to an early 14-8 lead in the first quarter, but Libby kept themselves close, only down three points at the half. Ronan outscored the Loggers 16-13 in the fourth quarter, coming away with a 55-54 win.
Libby’s Jared Winslow was on fire from the arc, shooting six 3-pointers, finishing the game with 20 points.
On Saturday, the Chiefs headed to Whitefish, where they fell to Bigfork 66-37. Oakland led the Chiefs with eight points, while Zach Wagner added six.
“We had a good first quarter and in the second, it started to get away from us,” Woll said. “They’re number one for a reason.”
The absence of four players and one injured allowed Ronan’s bench to get valuable playing experience against the talented Vikings.
“It was a good chance for the younger guys to play, and I’m happy with their effort,” Woll noted.
The Chiefs host No. 2 conference ranked Florence on Friday, and Woll says it won’t be an easy game.
“They are well-disciplined and play good defense,” Woll said. “They have a good coach and do things quite well. It will be a challenge for us.”
This week the Chiefs will work on their rebounding and offensive execution, and take a look at film from their first two games of the season.
“We will see what we did and didn’t do well,” Woll said.
SUMMARY
Bigfork 66, Ronan 37
Ronan 10 9 6 12 - 37
Bigfork 14 18 16 18 - 66
RONAN - Carston Baertsch 4, Dallas Jore 4, Timmy Woll 5, Robert Faoa 6, Brady Oakland 8, Jalen Bell 4, Zach Wagner 6.
BIGFORK - Austin Jordt 15, Ian Lorang 10, Cody Dopps 9, Jackson Boes 9, Dillon Fraley 5, Matt Killian 3, Ryan Hayes 5, Connor Cleman 4, Tyler Kirby 4, Chris Evans 2.
Ronan 55, Libby 54
Ronan 14 8 17 16 - 55
Libby 8 11 22 13 - 54
RONAN - Dallas Jore 2, Robbie Gauthier 3, Marcus Hungerford 9, Robert Faoa 6, Zach Wagner 4, Marley Tanner 6, Edmond Dupuis 13, Brady Oakland 12.
LIBBY - C. Hubbard 4, Phil Nelson 1, Micah Germany 7, Elias Lapka 10, Jared Winslow 20, Nolan Braden 2, Kraig Nelson 8, Sawyer Zimmerman 2.
