RONAN - The Ronan Chiefs dropped a pair of contests last week,

but gained some momentum in the latter of those games, despite a

loss.

On Tuesday, Feb. 7, Chris Clary paced the offense with 15

points, while Marcus Hungerford added 11, but the Mission Bulldogs

evened their season series with the Chiefs thanks to a 69-49

win.

RONAN - The Ronan Chiefs dropped a pair of contests last week, but gained some momentum in the latter of those games, despite a loss.

On Tuesday, Feb. 7, Chris Clary paced the offense with 15 points, while Marcus Hungerford added 11, but the Mission Bulldogs evened their season series with the Chiefs thanks to a 69-49 win.

The Bulldogs came out strong, leading 17-11 after the first and 35-24 at halftime. They kept their foot on the gas pedal as they increased their lead to 20, 55-35, after three periods en route to the victory.

Ten different Ronan players found their way into the scoring column, including Robert Faoa with five and the trio of Edmond Dupuis, Marley Tanner and Carston Baertsch, who all tallied four.

Three nights later, Clary and Hungerford paced the Chiefs again with 10 points apiece as Ronan hung tough with Class A Columbia Falls before succumbing 50-38.

"As they go, we go," Ronan head coach Steve Woll said. "It doesn't have to be just those guys. We need two or three to step up, but those two are our core on offense."

Woll was impressed with his team's performance against C-Falls, especially after the Chiefs fell behind 31-15 at halftime.

Ronan chipped away, cutting the deficit to 10, 34-24, after three. The Chiefs put up 14 in the fourth to stay in it, but the visitors hung on for the win.

"We did good things against Columbia Falls," Woll said. "We played them tough and got after them a bit. If we catch a few breaks there, who knows? We did good things and found a rhythm in that game."

Again, Ronan had several other scorers, including Brady Oakland's eight. Five other players scored two.

"We're going to need some of Carston, Robbie (Gauthier) and Edmond on the perimeter and we need Marley and Robert to make layups and get to the free throw line. The kids feed off each other," Woll said.

Ronan advanced to the Class 6B District Tournament after exacting revenge against Mission, defeating the Bulldogs 46-27. The defense held Mission to 17 points over the final three periods to advance to Hamilton where they'll face the Florence Falcons on Friday.

Seven different Chiefs scored in the victory, led by Baertsch's 12 and Dupuis' 10.

Ronan lost both contests this season against the Falcons, though they played them close both times.

MISSION @ RONAN B.

Mission - 17 - 18 - 20 - 14 - 69

Ronan - 11 - 13 - 11 - 14 - 49

Chiefs scoring - Chris Clary 15, Marcus Hungerford 11, Robert Faoa 5, Edmond Dupuis 4, Marley Tanner 4, Carston Baertsch 4, Brady Oakland 2, Zach Wagner 2, Robbie Gauthier 1, Jalen Bell 1

C-FALLS @ RONAN B.

C-Falls - 16 - 15 - 3 - 16 - 50

Ronan - 7 - 8 - 9 - 14 - 38

Chiefs scoring - Chris Clary 10, Marcus Hungerford 10, Brady Oakland 8, Carston Baertsch 2, Jalen Bell 2, Edmond Dupuis 2, Robert Faoa 2, Marley Tanner 2