COLUMBIA FALLS - It wasn't the evening that Polson wanted when

they traveled up to Columbia Falls last Saturday and it's an

evening they feel isn't indicative of the talent on this Pirate

squad.

COLUMBIA FALLS - It wasn't the evening that Polson wanted when they traveled up to Columbia Falls last Saturday and it's an evening they feel isn't indicative of the talent on this Pirate squad.

"That's not us; that's not who we are," Polson head coach Brad Pluff said. "We've got to shake it off."

Against a team that received national attention before the season, the Pirates got down early and couldn't find a way back into the game, falling 81-40. While they had gone into the contest focusing on star post player Austin Barth "Vader," the Wildcats found scoring from Luke Kazlauskas, who notched 25 after playing in the JV game earlier in the day.

Matching up against Polson senior Tyler Krell, Barth had just eight points. Krell would lead the team with 16 points.

"Tyler came to play against one of the best big men in the state," Pluff said. "We were happy with the way that he played."

Polson's shooting was cold against the Wildcats, and they hit just three three-pointers in the game. It coincided with a hot shooting night for Columbia Falls. Krell scored all of Polson's points in the first quarter but C-Falls jumped out to a 21-9 lead. In all, the Wildcats had six three-pointers in the first half and went in at halftime with a 41-14 lead.

Things in the second half would go the same way, despite increased offensive production from the Pirates.

Columbia Falls scored 19 in the third and 21 in the fourth.

"We've got to play better defense than we did against C-Falls," Pluff said.

The environment, a decidedly loud and spirited Columbia Falls gym, could have also played a factor as some of Polson's players haven't been in a place like that before.

POLSON 79, LOYOLA 53

LOYOLA - Last Thursday, Polson put together their most complete game of the season against Loyola with a 79-53 victory over the Rams. Four different players scored in double-digits and the Pirates outscored or tied Loyola in every quarter.

"We had an opportunity in previous games to take complete control and we didn't do that," Pluff said. "I'm happy with our performance. It was our best game."

Polson jumped out to a 42-26 halftime lead and extended it in the second half. They got 20 points from Cody Fischer and 19 from DiGiallonardo. Fischer could be a huge contributor for the Pirates if he consistently continues to put up that kind of output.

"It was good to see Cody play as well as he did against Loyola," Pluff said.

Zach Camel had 14 and Tyler Krell added 11 in the game. Camel notched a double-double, registering 10 assists and six steals.

COMING UP NEXT

Polson will look to bounce back from the C-Falls game this\ week with two home games. On Friday they'll be battling a tough 4-2 Corvallis team whose only two losses have come to AA Sentinel and undefeated Stevi.

"We need to get back into the win column," Pluff said.

Corvallis' is anchored by star guard Riley Bradshaw, somebody that the Pirates will need to focus on. Then Polson will turn their attention to Libby on Saturday, who has Jared Winslow coming off a 14-point performance against Frenchtown, but is winless so far on the season.

"We're going to get better," Pluff said. "We've got two-thirds of the season to go and we're going to get back to work."

POLSON @ LOYOLA

Polson - 28 - 14 - 17 - 20 - 79

Loyola - 12 - 14 - 13 - 14 - 53

Pirates scoring - Tyler Krell 11, Vince DiGiallonardo 19, Will Davey 3, Ian Laimbeer 5, Zach Camel 14, Cody Fischer 20, Cedric Smith 3, Hayden Congdon 2, Riley Sampson 2

POLSON @ C-FALLS

Polson - 9 - 5 - 14 - 12 - 40

C-Falls - 21 - 20 - 19 - 21 - 81

Pirates scoring - Tyler Krell 16, Vince DiGiallonardo 6, Will Davey 3, Ian Laimbeer 3, Zach Camel 5, Cody Fischer 4, Eric Williamson 2, Riley Sampson 1.