RONAN - This is a new one.

Polson and Ronan matched up once again to continue their Mission

Valley rivalry, but this time it was a non-conference matchup. That

didn't take out any of the Olde English between these two teams as

the Pirates got a hard-fought 54-41 victory over the Chiefs last

Tuesday, Jan. 23.

RONAN - This is a new one.

Polson and Ronan matched up once again to continue their Mission Valley rivalry, but this time it was a non-conference matchup. That didn't take out any of the Olde English between these two teams as the Pirates got a hard-fought 54-41 victory over the Chiefs last Tuesday, Jan. 23.

Polson pulled out to an 11-8 lead with the Chiefs hanging tough, and the Pirates led 27-22 at halftime. It was the third quarter that proved to be key with Polson going on a 15-9 run to gain some distance. They were able to maintain that in the fourth quarter for the victory.

Zach Camel, who's currently ranked 10th in the Northwestern A with 10.5 points per game, led the Pirates with 16 points, while Ian Laimbeer added 13. Laimbeer is currently ranked fourth in the league in rebounding with 6.6 boards per game.

Vince DiGiallonardo was almost to double-digit scoring with nine in the game.

The last time Polson lost to Ronan in the regular season was in 2008-2009, when the Chiefs notched a 47-44 victory.

The Pirates went from a stout Mission Valley rival on Tuesday to the No. 1 team in the state on Friday.

Stevensville got eight three-pointers from its leading scorers as they downed Polson 80-44. The Pirates, playing on the road, got 16 points from Camel and 15 points from senior Tyler Krell.

Stevi grabbed a 19-10 lead after the first quarter, and then outscored the Pirates 19-10 in the second quarter for the 38-20 lead. The Hornets really caught fire in the third quarter, scoring 27 points and put some serious distance between them and Polson.

Polson will play host to Class B Eureka on Thursday and then try to redeem a loss earlier this season when they face Columbia Falls in Linderman gym on Saturday.

POLSON @ RONAN

Polson - 11 - 16 - 15 - 12 - 54

Ronan - 8 - 14 - 9 - 10 - 41

Pirates scoring - Tyler Krell 4, Vince DiGiallonardo 9, Zach Camel 16, Will Davey 4, Ian Laimbeer 13, Cody Fischer 4, Riley Sampson 4

POLSON @ STEVI

Polson - 10 - 10 - 17 - 7 - 44

Stevi - 19 - 19 - 27 - 15 - 80

Pirates scoring - Tyler Krell 15, Vince DiGiallonardo 3, Will Davey 2, Ian Lambeer 2, Zack Camel 16, Cody Fischer 4, Eric Williamson 1, Riley Sampson 1