Two out of three ain’t bad
Rob Zolman
Ronan Maiden Micalann McCrea glides to the hoop.
Rob Zolman
Polson Pirate Shade Main shoots a jumper over a defender.
Rob Zolman
Cameron Brown (Polson) vs. Eric Dolence (Ronan).
Rob Zolman
Ronan Maiden Reagan Clairmont slips past a defender.
Rob Zolman
Rob Zolman
Rob Zolman
Rob Zolman
Rob Zolman
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RONAN – This past week, Northwest A and cross-county rivals Ronan and Polson battled it out on the mat and court with the Ronan Maidens walking away with a 70-53 basketball victory over the Lady Pirates, the Chiefs out-muscling the Pirates 46-27 on the wrestling mats and the Pirates prevailing over the Chiefs on the court 62-49.
On Thursday evening, Ronan avenged a 36-34 loss to the Pirates during the Class A dual in Lewiston on Jan. 20 with a 46-27 victory on the Chiefs’ home mats.
“I thought we competed well,” Ronan wrestling head coach Dylan Kramer said. “We were able to avenge the loss that we had to them from last Saturday and be able to send our seniors out on a high note which was really special. Our team has been working really hard to be in shape to wrestle for six hard minutes and I felt like we are starting to get there. Also, Polson is a great measurement of where our program is and we are excited to get into the tournament season.”
Posting wins by pins for the Chiefs were Trapper McAllister (103), Hunter Peterson (138), Hap Cheff (160) and Wesley Pablo (205).
The Pirates had three grapplers, Bridger Wenzel (132), Cameron Brown (145) and Parker Adler (152) all win by pin.
On Friday, Micalann McCrea had a big night, erupting for 26 points and grabbing 10 rebounds to pace the Maidens in their 70-53 victory over the Lady Pirates.
Ronan jumped all over Polson in the first half, claiming leads of 23-15 after the opening quarter and 40-24 at the break.
Ronan cruised in the second half for the 17-point, 70-53 win.
Tiana Ulutoa and Regan Clairmont chipped in 10 points apiece for the Maidens.
Jaycee Frydelund led all Lady Pirate scorers with 15 points, while teammate Quinn Motichka closely followed with 14 points.
On the boys' side of the court, the Ronan Chiefs couldn’t pull off the trifecta, falling 62-49 to the Pirates.
Against Ronan, Polson stayed ahead for most of the contest and was up by 12 at one point before a run by the Chiefs in the middle of the fourth closed the gap to 47-42.
The Pirates led 16-12 after the first quarter and 35-28 at the half. In the third quarter, the Pirates led by as much as 12 points before closing out the third quarter with a 45-37 advantage.
Mid-way through the fourth quarter, a 3-point jumper by Ronan’s Anthony Camel brought the Chiefs within five points of the Pirates. That was as close as they would get. The Pirates went on a 15-7 scoring run to seal the 62-49 road victory.
“Overall, I thought we played well. We are starting to shoot the ball with a bit more confidence,” Polson Pirate head coach Randy Kelley said. “I thought our defensive effort was better than our first game with Ronan.”
Shade Main finished with a game-high 16 points for the Pirates, while teammates Connor Lanier scored 13 points and Robin Erickson added 10.
Anthony Camel led Ronan with 13 points. Zeke Misa and Jacob Gatch added 10 apiece for the Chiefs.
Polson Pirates 62, Ronan Chiefs 49
Polson 16 19 10 17 — 62
Ronan 12 16 9 12 — 49
Polson: Ryker Wenderoth 8, Robin Erickson 10, Parker Toth 2, Trevor Schultz 4, Connor Lanier 13, Shade Main 16, Sam Schultz 5, Weston Danley 4.
Ronan: Zeke Misa 10, Randy Finley 3, Nate Dennis 3, Bubba Bush 3, Dallas Durheim 7, Jacob Gatch 10, Anthony Camel 13.
Ronan Maidens 70, Polson Lady Pirates 53
Polson 15 9 13 16 — 53
Ronan 23 17 16 14 — 70
Polson: Jaycee Frydelund 15, Quinn Motichka 14, Kaelyn Smith 8, Mahala Buffalo 8, Alex Pierre 4, Natasha Gravelle 2, Olivia Perez 2.
Ronan: Micalann McCrea 26, Tiana Ulutoa 10, Regan Clairmont 10, Kieaunna DeRoche 9, Jaelynn Askan 7, Kianna Finley 4, Madeline McCrea 2, Rhylie Bigbeaver 2.
Ronan Chiefs 46, Polson Pirates 27
103 — Trapper McAllister, R, pinned Maysn Cowell, 2:58; 113 — Rene Pierre, P, won by forfeit; 120 — Spencer Stagg, R, maj. dec. Mateo Quinones, 12-1; 126 — Kedrick Baker, P, dec. Zane Walchuk, SV-1 10-8; 132 — Bridger Wenzel, P, pinned Kolby Reum, 2:52; 138 — Hunter Peterson, R, pinned Jarod Farrier, 3:20; 145 — Cameron Brown, P, pinned Eric Dolence, 3:31; 152 — Parker Adler, P, pinned Seth Cheff, 1:53; 160 — Hap Cheff, R, pinned Caleb Pierre, :54; 170: Jesse Littleboy, R, won by forfeit; 182 — Justin Mays, R, won by forfeit; 205 — Wesley Pablo, R, pinned Jasper Drake, 3:45; 285 — Sam Mocabee, R, won by forfeit
