RONAN - Defensively, the Ronan Chiefs have been solid all

season, averaging just a hair over 52 points per game. If they gain

some momentum offensively, they will be a force to reckon with in

just over a week at districts.

RONAN - Defensively, the Ronan Chiefs have been solid all season, averaging just a hair over 52 points per game. If they gain some momentum offensively, they will be a force to reckon with in just over a week at districts.

The Chiefs went 0-2 last week despite playing two single-digit games.

On Friday, Feb. 3, Robbie "Le Bourreau" Gauthier scored 11 points, Marcus Hungerford added eight and both Marley Tanner and Brady Oakland seven, but the Chiefs comeback fell short as they were defeated by Deer Lodge 52-44.

In a first half dominated by defense, the teams found themselves knotted at 13, but coming out of the locker room, brought their offenses with them.

The Wardens outscored the Chiefs 23-11 in the third to put the hosts in a big hole. Ronan would score 20 in the fourth to make a game out of it, but Deer Lodge kept pace for the most part, with 16 points of their own, to earn the victory.

"Both teams came out more aggressive and made adjustments getting the ball down the floor," Ronan head coach Steve Woll said.

The following night, the Chiefs struggled scoring early again in a 47-42 loss to Troy.

"We were getting great shots, we just couldn't put the ball in the hole," Woll said. "When you can't score, you can't press and can't get into a transition game. The good thing is that we're getting shots, we just need to make them."

Troy led 8-3 after the opening stanza and increased that edge to 20-7 during the second quarter before the Chiefs got the offense rolling. From that point until early in the fourth quarter, Ronan outscored the Wardens 25-13 to get within one at 33-32. Unfortunately, Deer Lodge answered with a 13-5 run to retake a nine-point lead and stave off the Chiefs.

Chris Clary gave the Wardens fits down low, scoring 12 points, while Hungerford added eight and Jalen Bell seven for Ronan.

Woll admitted that it's been trying at times for his team, but they're sticking with things as the regular season winds down.

"We're not going to be outworked," Woll said. "Defensively, we're frustrated and it's shown in our rotation. I just tell them to keep working hard."

This week, Ronan will face a challenge from Columbia Falls on Friday. They faced the Mission Bulldogs on Tuesday as well, but results were unavailable at press time.