Pirates fall to No. 1 Laurel in class A championship game

Polson couldn't hold off No. 1 Laurel in the title match of the Class A boys state basketball tournament despite an early lead and several comebacks.

The Pirates lost the championship game 60-48.

"We gave our best effort," head coach Brad Pluff said after the game. "We just had lapses."

The Pirates started the game with an 8-3 after a three-point shot from sophomore Vince DiGiallonardo. Laurel worked to a tie game at eight points before junior Kyle Bagnell played strong defense, swatting away a Locomotive shot with just under four minutes to play in the first.

Junior Louis Mohr kept the lead for the Pirates with three points before Laurel grabs the lead 13-11. After a series of steals and hustle by Tim Rausch, the senior passed to fellow senior Derrick Rathe for three with thirty seconds left in the first for a one-point lead. Laurel didn't quit and with five seconds left, Laurel hit a field goal for a 15-14 lead.

To start the second, Rausch drove to the net for a basket and sank his shot at the line. Sophomore Tyler Krell fought down low and came up with a rebound for a 19-15 lead for Polson.

Laurel responded quickly with a three-point shot and a steal for two to go ahead by one.

Rausch took the ball to the net and was fouled again, going one-for-two this time before the Locomotives went on a seven-point run in 90 seconds.

Down 20-29, Polson took a time out. Rausch exited the timeout to score and DiGiallonardo dropped in a three, going 3-for-5 on the night from the arc, with 35 seconds left but the Pirates entered halftime down 34-25.

Fouls became an important part of the game during the second half as Polson ended the game with a total of 21. In the first 16 minutes, both teams committed five fouls. Polson registered two steals in the first while allowing eight steals from Laurel.

Polson challenged Laurel to start the third, going on an 11-2 run. The momentum started with Bagnell and ended with a cheer for "Vinny."

Bagnell dropped in a three, Krell put one in at the line, Bagnell added a basket and was sent to the after Laurel junior Jake McKinney spiked his shoe and was called for a technical foul. McKinney apparently lost his shoe after battling Krell for the ball and slammed his shoe down in frustration after Bagnell was able to drive to the basket.

Krell kept his cool and grabbed a rebound on the next play and passed to DiGiallonardo for three and a tie game.

Pluff said defense was a key part in the comeback at the beginning of the half.

"We talked in the locker room at the half, we had a lot of one-on-one stuff going," Pluff said. "We're a lot better executing as a team."

With 1:20 left in the third, Mohr tied the game again with a three-point shot and Rausch tied the game at 41 with 39 seconds left, but Laurel beat the buzzer again to end the third up 43-41.

The Locomotives started the fourth quarter with two baskets and never looked back as Polson struggled to score. The Pirate's first point of the fourth came from Rausch at the line with 1:37 left in the game before Bagnell added a basket for a 44-53 score.

Bagnell added another and Mohr scored the last two points of the night for the Pirates, who took second.

Mohr led with 13 points and seven rebounds. Bagnell and DiGiallonardo added 11 points each.

For full state tournament coverage, see Thursday's Leader.