BUTTE - The Polson seventh grade AAU travel team went 2-2 at the

Mile High Classic last weekend playing against schools much bigger

than them in the "Elite" bracket.

BUTTE - The Polson seventh grade AAU travel team went 2-2 at the Mile High Classic last weekend playing against schools much bigger than them in the "Elite" bracket.

"This was our first tournament and every other team had been to at least two others so we did it cold turkey against a lot bigger schools," coach Pete Hamper said.

Getting seven practices before the tournament, Polson downed Missoula 34-32 in their first game then faced a very good Butte squad.

"We got in foul trouble early, they were a very physical team," Hamper said.

Polson would fall 37-29 to wrap up Saturday's games. On Sunday, they nearly knocked off Helena but lost 35-32. They bounced back against Kalispell for a 35-32 win.

In that game they were down by eight at halftime but cut the lead to four with 1:30 to go in the game and tied it up with a bucket with 10 seconds to go. In OT, Polson would get a five-point lead before Helena hit a shot at the buzzer.

"We played three games that were decided by three points or less," Hamper said. "I was really proud of the kids. Until you play another team you don't know what you have to work on."

This is the first age group that AAU allows any time of defense to be played meaning that kids were seeing full-court presses and half-court traps for the first time. Hamper was pleased with his team's competitiveness.

Polson's next tournament will be in Missoula on Feb. 25.

The team is also looking for anyone hoping to sponsor or help out their squad. Anyone wishing to help can contact Hamper at 883-5100 or address letters to Polson Seventh Grade AAU Basketball P..O. Box 609, Polson, MT.