Win some, lose some
Chiefs down Mission, drop close game to Hamilton
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RONAN - The Chiefs battled back from a tough loss Friday evening as they picked up a lopsided 56-18 win over Mission Saturday.
Just a day after suffering a 45-43 loss to Hamilton, the Chiefs looked to be in trouble again in the opening quarter against the Bulldogs Saturday as Mission jumped out to a quick lead in the opening quarter.
“They’re young. They came out and kind of punched us in the mouth. Then we punched back and it was a stalemate in that first quarter,” Ronan coach Steve Woll said. “Then we punched first in the second quarter and pulled away.”
And pull away they did.
After changing defenses from a man to a 2-3 zone to start the second quarter, the Chiefs went on a 42-6 run to put the game out of reach for Mission.
According to Woll, the change of defense ignited Ronan’s transition offense, leading to the big run.
“Transition was the key for us. They had turnovers, and once that happens, we get transition baskets and our defense picks up,” he said. “It’s like blood in the water for us.”
Mission managed just six points in the final three quarters of the game, including a third quarter where Ronan held the Bulldogs scoreless.
Justin Dustybull led the way for Ronan in the win with 17 points while Kevin Wroblewski added eight points. Marcus Hungerford and R.J. Hellesgesser each had six points, J.J. Tanner and Jackson Jore each scored five, Lucas Black added three and Gordon North Piegan III, Marley Tanner and Brady Oakland each chipped in with two points each.
Missed opportunities cost the Chiefs Friday night as missed free throws and layups were the difference in a 45-43 loss to visiting Hamilton.
Ronan trailed by double digits in the third quarter but fought back to tie the game at 41 with 2:17 to play. Hamilton’s Brad Palin sank a pair of free throws with 3.2 seconds to play to put the Broncs up two and the Chiefs were unable to get a shot off before time expired.
“We just couldn’t get over the hump,” Woll said. “We fought back and tied it and we were right there and we just couldn’t get it done. We also had 11 missed, uncontested layups. That hurts us a bunch. That’s the game right there. We had our chances with free throws and layups and we shot ourselves in the foot.”
Ronan was 12-23 from the foul line in the loss and just 1-11 from three-point range.
As for the missed layups, Woll says he is not really sure why his Chiefs were off the mark.
“I couldn’t tell if we were trying to get the foul called or if we were intimidated by their size advantage,” he said. “I don’t know if they we were worried about getting our shots blocked, but I tell them that we at least have to get free throws on those layup attempts.”
According to Woll, the trouble for the Chiefs Friday was Hamilton’s ability to slow down Ronan’s high-speed running game.
“We believe that our best offense is our defense. We try to get high-percentage shots at the rim and try to get out in transition,” Woll said. “Hamilton was able to take away our transition game, though. We wanted to press, but it’s hard to set up your press when you are not making shots.”
Black led the Chiefs in the loss with 12 points while Tanner added nine points and five rebounds. Wroblewski had eight points and five rebounds, Hungerford had four points and three boards, Dustybull had two points and six rebounds, Oakland added two points and a team-high seven rebounds and North Piegan III, Jore and Hesselgesser each added two points.
The Chiefs were in action in Bigfork Monday and will be off until they open conference play at Polson Jan. 7.
Summary
Ronan 56, Mission 18
Mission 12 2 0 4 - 18
Ronan 14 20 16 6 - 56
RONAN - Dustybull 17, Wroblewski 8, Hungerford 6, Hesselgesser 6, Tanner 5, Jore 5, Black 3, Piegan III 2, Tanner 2, Oakland 2.
MISSION - Grant 7, Smith-Brown 4, J. Durglo 3, A. Durglo 2, Ahlborn 2.
Ronan 43, Hamilton 45
Hamilton 11 14 14 6 - 45
Ronan 8 9 16 10 - 43
RONAN - Black 12, Tanner 9, Wroblewski 8, Hungerford 4, Piegan III 2, Jore 2, Dustybull 2, Hesselgesser 2, Oakland 2.
HAMILTON - Silcher 14, Lewis 10, Palin 8, Powell 5, Mason 4, Maus 2, Pigman 2.
