There are first-round games, but this one doesn’t seem like one.

The Ronan Chiefs are set to face off against the Frenchtown Broncs in a pivotal Western A Divisional Tournament matchup in Whitefish. Neither team is a slouch; in fact, they are among the best in the Northwest and Southwest.

Ronan enters the tournament as the third-place team in the Northwest A division, finishing with a strong 9-3 conference record. The Chiefs have showcased their ability to compete with the best, as they’ve beaten second-place Columbia Falls and first-place Browning this year. They are currently riding momentum from a five-game winning streak to end the season.

Ronan has demonstrated balanced play on both ends of the court. Their offense is the best in the conference, averaging 56 points per game from a wide variety of players. Their defense is the third-best in the conference, allowing just 49 points a contest.

This means the Chiefs have something vital during postseason play: Being well-rounded.

Frenchtown, meanwhile, has been a force in the Southwest A division, finishing second in conference play with an 8-3 record. Their overall 15-4 means they know how to win and win often.

Frenchtown’s success has been built on offensive efficiency and defensive intensity. The Broncs have scored nearly 1,300 points this season (68 points a game), but their defense has been slightly less effective than Ronan’s, allowing 50 points a game.

Matchup Breakdown: The two well-matched teams meet at noon Thursday in what promises to be a tightly contested battle. Ronan holds a slight edge in conference record, but Frenchtown’s overall dominance in the Southwest A division makes them a formidable challenger.

The Broncs also have a very high-powered offense for which the Chiefs must find answers.

For Ronan, controlling the tempo so the Broncs don’t get to gallop will be crucial. They have a great chance to advance if they can limit Frenchtown’s offensive surges and maintain their defensive intensity. On the other hand, Frenchtown will look to utilize their offensive firepower and push the pace to keep Ronan on their heels.