Pirates slip in regular-season finale
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Columbia Falls just seemed to have Polson's number Friday evening as the Wildcats and Wildkats both downed Polson's squads to earn regular-season conference titles.
The Pirates came oh-so-close to pulling out a win to earn a conference title at Columbia Falls but a two-point performance in fourth quarter spelled doom for Polson.
The Pirates led the whole way until Columbia Falls rallied to take the lead late in the fourth quarter en route to pulling out a 34-29 victory.
Polson came into the game looking to hand the Wildcats just their second loss of the season.
The Pirates handed Columbia Falls their lone setback of the season in Polson Feb. 5.
Polson jumped out to an early lead Friday, building a 10-2 advantage midway through the opening quarter before the Wildcats cut the gap to 10-6 after eight minutes of play. The Wildcats chipped away at that lead in the second quarter, tying the game at 10 on a free throw by Nick Emerson with 5:36 to play before halftime. Polson answered with an 11-2 run to close out the half as the Pirates led 21-13.
Columbia Falls scored the first four points of the second half to cut the Polson lead to 21-17 before Kyle Bagnell picked up a steal and a layup to get the Pirates on the board in the third quarter.
Polson led 27-23 heading into the fourth quarter. Then disaster struck for the Pirates.
The Wildcats dialed up the defense in the final frame, forcing the Pirates into turnover after turnover down the stretch and holding Polson to just two points in the last eight minutes of action.
The bottom fell out for the Pirates when their tallest player, Tyler Krell, fouled out with 4:18 to play. The ensuing free throws by Anthony Correa tied the game at 27. Polson would not lead again.
Kaleb Johnson gave the Wildcats the lead with an inside shot with 3:06 to play and the Pirates were never able to recover as Columbia Falls went on to earn a 34-29 victory.
Louis Mohr was the only Pirate in double figures in the loss as he led Polson with 10 points. Kyle Bagnell added seven points and nine rebounds.
Things didn't go much better for the Lady Pirates at home Friday as they fell to the Wildkats, 73-64.
Kayla DeWit tied her season-high with 29 points as Polson struggled to slow down the All-State post.
Columbia Falls outscored the Lady Pirates in the first three quarters and there was little Polson could do to catch up in the final frame.
Breanne Kelley led the Lady Pirates with 23 points in the loss while Riley Kenney added 21 and Mariah Hamel added 10.
Both teams will enter this weekend's Conference Tournament in Ronan as second seeds.
Summary
Columbia Falls 34, Pirates 29
Polson 10 11 6 2 - 29
Col. Falls 6 7 10 11 - 34
POLSON - Tyler Krell 5, Kyle Bagnel 7, Zack Camel 3, Cody Fischer 4, Louis Mohr 10.
COLUMBIA FALLS - Devyn Rocker 4, Nick Emerson 7, Chris King 2, Anthony Correa 6, Parker Johnson 2, Austin Barth 7, Kaleb Johnson 4, Jacob Calderwood 2.
Columbia Falls 73, Lady Pirates 64
Col. Falls 18 19 18 18 – 73
Polson 15 14 16 19 – 64
COLUMBIA FALLS – Kayla DeWit 29, Dani Gilley 11, Allie Lampman 2, Hope Burlage 11, Jonna Werner 13, Shaun Rowe 7.
POLSON – Nina Orozco-Charlo 3, Mariah Hamel 10, Breanne Kelley 23, Riley Kenney 21, Jonna Grant 4, Heidi Rausch 3.
