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State A boys: Polson nips Dillon in OT

FRITZ NEIGHBOR | Hagadone News Network | UPDATED 4 years AGO
by FRITZ NEIGHBOR
SPORTS EDITOR Fritz Neighbor is the Sports Editor for the Daily Inter Lake. He oversees sports coverage across the Flathead Valley, including high school athletics, youth sports, and regional competitions. In his leadership role, he helps shape the newspaper’s sports coverage and editorial direction. Fritz’s column, Full Count, taps into his decades’ long career covering Montana sports. You’ll also see Fritz sharing his thoughts and insights on the Big Sky Now podcast. IMPACT: Fritz’s work celebrates the athletes and teams that bring Northwest Montana communities together. | March 12, 2022 10:20 AM

MISSOULA — Colton Graham fueled a fourth-quarter comeback, Jarrett Wilson cashed in two steals for four overtime free throws, and Polson beat Dillon 53-52 in State A loser-out that ended on a miss from the line.

Down 53-50, Dillon’s Jonathan Kirkley drew a 3-shot foul with .2 seconds left. He made the first two, Polson called a full time out, and the guard missed the third.

Graham had 20 points, including all 13 of Polson’s points in the fourth. After Connor Curnow got an offensive rebound and fed Kirkley for a hoop, Dillon led 42-35 with 3:20 left in regulation.

Graham knocked threes at 2:55, 1:22 (cutting the gap to 44-43) and with 22 seconds left to knot the game at 46-all.

Dillon held for the final shot, but a held ball left 4 seconds left the Beavers didn’t get a good look.

After Curnow, who had 22 points, spun inside for two the Beavers led 50-48 with a minute left.

Polson came back with a Graham free throw with 37 seconds left. When he missed the second Wilson stole the rebound away and nearly got the hoop and harm.

He hit two free throws instead, for a 51-50 Polson lead. Then he made another steal, was fouled, and hit two more with :09 left.

Then came the foul, which was on Wilson, The junior guard had 12 points, five steals and four assists. Xavier Fisher hit two 3-pointers and had 10 points. Braunsen Henriksen added nine points and five boards for the Pirates, who advanced to play Hamilton in the consolation game. The Broncs beat Glendive 68-66, also in OT, in Saturday's other early game.

Polson 13 6 14 13 7 - 53

Dillon 15 7 12 12 6 - 52

POLSON — Colton Graham 6-21 3-4 8, Dawson Dumont 0-2 0-0 0, Trent Wilson 1-6 0-0 2, Jarrett Wilson 4-10 4-4 12, Xavier Fisher 3-6 2-6 10, Robert Perez 0-0 0-0 0, Brock Henriksen 0-1 0-0 0, Braunson Henriksen 4-6 1-1 9, Nikolai Figuaro 0-0 0-0 0. Totals 18-52 10-15 53.

DILLON — Connor Cunrow 8-11 4-6 22, Jonathan Kirkley 2-6 4-8 10, Callahan Hoffman 3-10 3-4 9, Caden Hansen 3-9 0-0 8, Eli Nourse 2-2 0-0 4, Kee Christiansen 0-1 0-0 0, Max Davis 0-0 0-0 0, Tyler Lagunus 0-3 0-0 0. Totals 18-42 11-18 52.

3-point goals — Polson 7-17 (Graham 5-11, Fisher 2-5, Brock Henriksen 0-1), Dillon 5-16 (Curnow 2-2, Hansen 2-7, Kirkley 1-4, Christiansen 0-1, Lagunas 0-2). Rebounds — Polson 29 (Graham 8), Dillon 31 (Kirkley 10). Fouls — Plson 16, Dillon 17. Blocks — Polson 1 (Bra.Henriksen), Dillon 4 (Hoffman 2, Kirkley, Nourse). Steals — Polson 11 (J.Wilson 5), Dillon 6 (Kirkley 2), Turnovers — Polson 15, Dillon 19.

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