Maidens fall to Mission, Columbia Falls
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RONAN – A tough week handed the Ronan Maidens basketball team a pair of losses, first to 6-B rival Mission, followed by a loss to Class A powerhouse Columbia Falls. Despite the losses, head coach Clayton Curley says he’s seeing a lot of improvement in his girls.
“I’m seeing a big improvement in shooting, and that’s helping us out a bit late in the season,” Curley said.
Against Mission, the Maidens struggled to contain Bryanna Steele, who scored 16 points for Mission in the 48-35 win.
“She had a really good game,” Curley noted. “We have to get more hands in her face.”
Mission jumped out to a 13-8 first quarter lead and led 23-14 at the break.
It was more of the same in the second half, as Mission held Ronan to only eight points in the third, helping the Lady Bulldogs roll to a 48-35 win.
Courtney Clairmont and Ashley Grandchamp led the Maidens with 12 points each.
The Lady Bulldogs were led by Steele’s game-high 16 points, while Steph Lewandowski contributed 11.
The Maidens also hosted a talented Columbia Falls team at home last week, where the Wildkats came out strong, downing Ronan 62-40 in a nonconference game.
The Wildkats shot out to a 14-7 lead after the first quarter of play, before going on a 21-11 run in the second frame to lead 35-18 at the break.
In the second half, Columbia Falls continued to hold Ronan’s offense at bay, outscoring the Maidens 13-6. Ronan rallied to score 16 points in the final frame, but it was too late as the Wildkats pulled out a 62-40 win.
The Maidens played Mission again Feb. 14 in a District Tournament play-in game. The winner advances to the tournament, which will be held in Hamilton beginning Feb. 17.
To prepare, Curley says his team needs to find the rim more, as Mission and Ronan match up well. This will be the third meeting between the two, with Mission winning the first game by a thread, 39-32.
“There’s not a whole lot that separates us,” Curley said. “Both games have been very close. The team that puts the ball in the hole will win.”Other improvements Curley would like to see his team make are execution on offense, while taking better shots and rebounding.
Regardless of how the remainder of the season plays out, Curley says he’s pleased with how his team’s grown over the season.
“I’ve seen so much improvement over the year,” he said. “We’re better at offensive plays. (Early on) we were not making smart decisions. We’re playing better now.”
SUMMARY
Columbia Falls 62, Ronan 40
Col. Falls 14 21 13 14 - 62
Ronan 7 11 6 16 - 40
COLUMBIA FALLS - Hope Burlage 15, Madison Sandefer 9, Cortney White 8, Winter Kemppainen 7, Haley Belgarde 9, Kathrin Jetty 2, Ciera Finberg 7, Summer Burlage 3, Kaity Presnell 2.
RONAN - Raymi Clairmont 6, Courtney Clairmont 10, Ashley Grandchamp 12, Alaina Madsen 3, Courtney Taylor 3, Aspen Jore 6.
Mission 48, Ronan 35
Ronan 8 6 8 13 - 35
Mission 13 10 14 11 - 48
RONAN - Kiana Howell 5, Raymi Clairmont 3, Cortney Clairmont 12, Alaina Madsen 1, Ashleigh Lynch 2, Ashley Grandchamp 12.
ST. IGNATIUS - Laren Erickson 9, Steph Lewandowski 11, Kaylie Durglo 1, Bryanna Steele 16, Cecelia Koskela 7, Katrina Stevens 4.
