Pirates packing a punch
Polson squads win 3 of 4 this week
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The Pirates picked up a pair of wins to improve to 8-4 this week as Polson downed Stevensville and Hamilton.
The Pirates trailed the Yellowjackets 29-24 at the half in Stevensville Saturday but used a strong second half to come roaring back to pick up a 51-44 victory.
The Yellowjackets opened the game with a two-point lead after one quarter of play and the outscored the Pirates 13-10 in the second frame to build a five-point halftime advantage. Pirate senior guard Kyle Bagnell led a third-quarter charge for Polson, scoring eight points in the period as Polson outscored Stevensville 15-6 to grab a 39-35 lead heading into the final eight minutes. Polson outscored the Yellowjackets 12-9 in the final frame to earn a seven-point victory.
Bagnell finished with 18 points to lead all scorers while Louis Mohr added 14 points for the Pirates and Tyler Krell had nine. Tyler Gavlak was the only Yellowjacket in double figures with 14 points.
Polson outscored the Broncs in each of the first three quarters Thursday as the Pirates cruised to a 74-57 win at Hamilton.
The Pirates led by six after the first quarter before opening up their lead with an 18-9 run in the second frame. Up 39-24 at the half, the Pirates added five more to their lead in the third before holding on in the fourth to win by 17.
Mohr scored 17 of his game-high 22 points in the second half while Bagnell added another 17 for the Pirates. Vince DiGiallonardo added nine, Krell scored eight, Zack Camel and Sheldon Fisher added seven points each and Cody Fischer finished with four points for the Pirates.
A strong fourth-quarter comeback was not enough for the Lady Pirates Saturday as they fell at home to visiting Stevensville, 41-36.
Polson struggled to find the basket in the opening half, scoring just eight points as the Yellowjackets built a 19-8 halftime advantage. The Lady Pirates showed signs of life in the third frame but the Yellowjackets pushed their lead to 27-15 heading into the final eight minutes. Polson finally came alive in the fourth quarter, outscoring Stevensville 21-14 but it was not enough as the Yellowjackets held on for the win.
Riley Kenney led the Polson effort with 15 points in the loss while Breanne Kelley added seven, Mackenzie Banner, Mariah Hammel and Heidi Rausch each scored four and Nina Orozco-Charlo added two points.
The Lady Pirates withstood a strong test at home Thursday as they picked up a non-conference win over visiting Hamilton, 50-44.
Down 34-27 heading into the fourth quarter, the Lady Pirates turned up the defense to spark a 23-10 run over the final eight minutes of play. Kelley led the charge, scoring all 12 of her points in the final frame to help Polson come back for the win.
Kenney led the way for the Lady Pirates (7-4) with 15 points and 10 rebounds in the win while Kelley and Banner each added 12.
The season continues Friday as the Pirates and Lady Pirates take on rival Ronan on the road. The Lady Pirates will host Columbia Falls Saturday while the Pirates take on the top-ranked Wildcats on the road.
Summary
Pirates 51, Stevensville 44
Polson14101512-51
Stevensville161369-44
POLSON - Tyler Krell 9, Vince DiGiallonardo 3, Kyle Bagnell 18, Zach Camel 2, Louis Mohr 14, Sheldon Fisher 3, Cody Fischer 2.
STEVENSVILLE -Brendan Jones 7, Austin Lords 6, Josh Schultz 9, Tyler Gavlak 14, Zach Gavlak 4, Caleb Vance 4.
Pirates 74, Hamilton 57
Polson21182015-74
Hamilton1591518-57
POLSON - Tyler Krell 8, Vince DiGiallonardo 9, Kyle Bagnell 17, Zack Camel 7, Sheldon Fisher 7, Louis Mohr 22, Cody Fischer 4.
HAMILTON - Zach Stoeger 2, Brad Palin 10, Beau Maus 17, Grahm Silcher 2, Tyler Pigman 6, Eli Rogers 2, Cody Lewis 2, Dace Moerkerke 14, Reese Isherwood 2.
Stevensville 41, Lady Pirates 36
Stevensville118814-41
Polson26721-36
STEVENSVILLE - Alycia Sims 12, Blaire Brookshire 14, Kyla Paulsen 9, Britney Chilcott 4, Bailey Vercruyssen 2.
POLSON - Mackenzie Banner 4, Nina Orozco-Charlo 2, Mariah Hammel 4, Breanne Kelley 7, Riley Kenney 15, Heidi Rausch 4.
Lady Pirates 50, Hamilton 44
Hamilton1510910-44
Polson911723-50
HAMILTON - Rebecka Hood 11, Presley Chadwick 7, Kaurie Albert 15, Meghan Kratofil 6, Mary Conwell 4, Casey Shifflett 1.
POLSON - Mackenzie Banner 12, Breanne Kelley 12, Riley Kenney 15, Jonna Grant 2, Nina Orozco-Charlo 8, Heidi Rausch 1.
