District title time for Polson boys, C-Falls girls
WHITEFISH — Polson turned in a dominating performance to knock off second-seed Whitefish 57-40 on Friday night in semifinal play at the Northwest A District boys basketball tournament at Whitefish High School.
The victory sends third-seed Polson (9-11) to the district championship game tonight at 6:30 versus top-seed Browning (18-1). Whitefish (13-6) will now face Ronan (5-14) today at 9:30 a.m. in loser-out play.
Tied at 10-all after the opening quarter, Polson outscored Whitefish 39-19 in the next two quarters to take charge. That put the Pirates on top 49-29.
“I think we ran our motion offense as well as we have all year,” Polson coach Randy Kelley said of those middle quarters. “We were patient, and of course, we hit shots, shots we’ve been struggling with for over a month.”
Trevor Schultz and Micah Askan led a balanced Polson attack with 15 points each.
Whitefish’s Lee Walburn led all scorers with 17 points.
Polson 10 19 20 8 — 57
Whitefish 10 10 9 11 — 40
POLSON — Ryker Wenderoth 4, Robin Erickson 7, Trevor Schultz 15, Parker Toth 2, Bo Kelley 3, Colton Graham 11, Micah Askan 15.
WHITEFISH — Jayce Cripe 1, Bodie Smith 2, Justin Conklin 6, Jack Schweaiger 3, Ryan Kemm 2, Lee Walburn 17, Dillon Botner 9.
Girls
Columbia Falls 74,
Ronan 34
WHITEFISH — Second-seed Columbia Falls (18-1) moved a step closer to claiming the district tournament title with a 40-point semifinal triumph over Ronan (9-11).
The Wildkats, winners of eight straight, will face top-seed Browning (15-4) tonight at 8 in the championship game.
Ryley Kehr scored 13 of her game high 25 points in a 27-point second quarter for the Wildkats. Columbia Falls held a 45-21 lead at the half. Trista Cowan netted 17 points for Columbia Falls and Josie Windauer followed with 11.
Regan Clairmont topped Ronan with 10.
Ronan has a loser-out game today at 11 a.m. versus Whitefish (4-15).
Ronan 11 10 6 7 — 34
Columbia Falls 18 27 9 20 — 74
RONAN — Analeta Yellowbird 2, Lareina Cordova 1, Lexi Wirz 4, Tiana Ulutoa 4, Madison Clairmont 6, Regan Clairmont 10, Areanna Burke 5, Jaylea Lunceford 2.
COLUMBIA FALLS — Maddie Robison 2, Kimberly Peacock 2, Savvy Ellis 6, Lakia Hill 2, Josie Windauer 11, Hannah Schweikert 7, Ryley Kehr 25, Lauren Falkner 2, Trista Cowan 17.
Late Thursday
First-Round Game
Polson 7 11 11 5 — 34
Ronan 16 12 22 22 — 72
POLSON — Berkley Ellis 2, Megan Rost 2, Misty Tenas 1, Mahda Buffalo 4, Alex Pierre 7, Kawh Lawson 6, Natasha Gravelle 3, Olivia Perez 5, Mossy Kauley 4.
RONAN — Laveina Cordova 2, Lexi Wirz 3, Aslyn Baker 4, Tiana Ulutoa 9, Regan Clairmont 6, Kieauna DeRoche 5, Ari Burke 20, Madeline McCrea 4, Macao Jackson 6, Jaylea Lunceford 13.