Polson and Ronan had some marquee matchups this week, with Polson taking on one of the best in Northwest A, while Ronan looked to secure some wins as well.

Browning Boys 70, Polson Boys 68 (OT)

One of the best games of the season came on Jan. 31, when Polson looked to buck a losing trend against one of the top teams in its division, the Browning Indians.

From the jump, it was a game Polson was locked in on. Shooting was the major difference going into this one, as the Pirates led 15-14. With three-point shooting intact, it was up to Browning to match that pace.

The second quarter boasted more heroics from the Pirates as Malakai Curley had 14 points. It was another sweet shooting quarter as the Pirates contained a Browning team that was able to handle the number-one Northwest A team in Ronan just weeks ago. With the ship in steady waters, the Pirates were ready for a second-half turnaround from the Indians.

However, Linderman Gym is a stormy place to play.

It was a raucous environment with fans of both Polson and Browning frustrated by calls all through the third quarter. Regardless of calls, Browning found a way around a Polson team that was earning frequent free-throw opportunities throughout. For Polson, missed free throws ended up being the key to Browning sticking around in the third quarter.

It was 48-47 with Polson leading by just one going into the last quarter of play. And, once again, free throws were the story. When the Pirates missed, Browning made. 

As the final quarter started to close, Browning took a late lead. However, a three-pointer from Curley with just under two minutes helped spark a small turnaround for a team that had been leading the whole game.

The turnaround came down to free throws and Polson couldn’t quite pull away. With Polson’s Cody Haggard and Browning’s Noah Butterfly fouling out, numbers started to come into play, too. But, even with missed opportunities, the Pirates lived to see overtime as a last-second jumper from Browning’s Josh Skunkcap fell short.

Even in extra time, Polson couldn’t find a break. The team went 14 for 31 from the free-throw line as it fell just short of a return to glory. A last-second shot from Polson’s Kyson Michel was short as Browning went on to win 70-68.

“My guys are dogs,” Curley said. “They love it. They love the competition, but we just need to get some of those wins down the stretch for sure.”

Curley led the way with a strong 25-point performance in the heartbreaking loss.

Polson Girls 52, Browning Girls 45

The girls also found their match against the Browning Lady Indians on Jan. 31.

It was a close one with defense and fouls writing the early story. Browning has been a stout defensive team all year and they showed it against a Polson team known for outpacing strong defenses.

It was a close one early with Polson leading just 14-12 in the first quarter. Even with the slight edge, the Lady Pirates were contained in the second quarter, with Polson’s leading scorer Rylee Taylor-Jefferson playing sparingly with some early fouls. 

Despite that, Polson held on to the 25-21 lead with Polson’s Aleysia Black carrying the load to close out the first half.

“ I've been trying to just go for it,” Black said. “So like anytime I had an open lane, or anytime I shot, I was like, I'm just gonna take it. I was just really confident going into this game about myself, and in practice, I felt like my shots were going in … and I think that I executed throughout the game.”

Browning finally got the best of the Lady Pirates in the third quarter. Even though they stayed trailing 36-34, the Lady Indians kept both Taylor-Jefferson and Polson’s Hinkley Moss in foul trouble with three each going into the final quarter.

It was going to be a game that came down not to makes but to misses. The Lady Pirates managed to make shots even when their stars were struggling. Browning’s tough defensive scheme made it hard for Polson but their pace was too much and the Lady Pirates came out on top 52-45.

“ I think we worked together as a team and we were all equally on the same page,” Black said. “We knew what our game plan was going into the game, and I think we just worked very well collectively together.”

Black and teammate Olivia Ramirez tied for most points for Polson in that game with 12 each as both helped keep their team afloat in a gritty win.

Polson Boys 78, Whitefish Boys 59

Polson had a far more favorable result on Jan. 27 against the Whitefish Bulldogs.

It was an exciting game that saw both Curley and Michel shine. With Polson and Whitefish in the fight to move up the standings, the Pirates needed to get this one.

It was a high-scoring game for Polson, who saw its scoring stars notch maybe their best games of the season. The Pirates won out 78-59.

Curley scored 32 points and Michel nailed 26 points in the dominant win. This past weekend put Polson at 2-3 in conference play and sits them just above Whitefish at fifth place.

Whitefish Girls 62, Polson Girls 40

Polson struggled earlier in the week when they invited the Whitefish Lady Bulldogs to town on Jan. 27.

It was a convincing win for Whitefish as Polson struggled to keep up with an efficient Lady Bulldogs offense.

Whitefish had back-to-back 20-point quarters in the first half and entered the second half with a 40-20 lead. While the Lady Pirates normally look stout on offense, they met a team that was able to slow them down. The Lady Bulldogs came out with the victory 62-40.

This win marks the first time since 1983 that the Lady Pirates beat Whitefish in Polson.

Taylor-Jefferson led the way with 17 points for Polson, with Black right behind her with 12 points. That split week puts Polson at 8-4 on the year and at 4-2 in the Northwest A, being tied for second with Whitefish.

Ronan Boys 65, Flathead Boys 55

If there were an award for the best win of the week, Ronan’s triumph over Class AA Flathead on Jan. 26 would easily take it. 

It was a night for celebration across the Mission Valley as the Chiefs started strong against the Braves. An 18-11 first quarter was just the start for a team that didn’t have just one scorer, but multiple.

Ronan senior Jhett McDonald helped spearhead a well-rounded scoring effort from the Chiefs. Despite Flathead keeping it close in the second and third quarters, it was clear Ronan wanted this one.

Even when they allowed Flathead to score 17 points in the third quarter, Ronan came back with a 19-point third quarter. The Chiefs matched every scoring opportunity the Braves had, finishing strong with a 65-55 win and their most impressive showing of the year.

That win was helped by McDonald’s 19 points. Teammates Kolby Finley and Matiya Nenemay each helped out with 16 points apiece for the Chiefs.

Flathead Girls 71, Ronan Girls 38

While the boys stayed at home, the girls took a trip up north to Kalispell on Jan. 26 to face off against the Flathead Bravettes.

It was a struggle early for the Maidens as they were outscored 25-5 in the first quarter. That early deficit was the nail that pinned Ronan for the rest of the game. Even as the term scored double-digits for the rest of the game, Flathead’s early lead was too much for the Maidens to overcome.

Ronan fell 71-38. Nefertiti Steward led the Maidens in scoring with nine points, while her teammates Nevaeh Perez and Dallas St. Goddard each had eight points.

Columbia Falls Boys 53, Ronan Boys 50

Ronan’s next game was in Ronan and it was a close one. After an unreal win for the Chiefs, it was time to try and knock off one of the stronger opponents it will face in the Northwest A.

It was a tight game for the Chiefs as they were contained to just 50 points on the night. The Wildcats were ultimately the victor in a game that came down to the wire. Ronan fell in this one 53-50.

Ronan Girls 61, Columbia Falls 60

The Maidens also had a close one on Jan. 27 against Columbia Falls but this one went the way of Ronan.

The Wildkats started strong, taking an early 17-12 lead over the Maidens. However, Ronan’s scoring bumped up as it outpaced Columbia Falls heading into halftime.

It was a 21-point third quarter that put Ronan ahead and, going into the final quarter, Columbia Falls wasn’t going to surrender easily.

A late push saw the Wildkats almost dethrone the Maidens but the orange and black held on to secure the 61-60 nailbiter. This is the Maidens' first conference win of the year.

Ronan’s Maddy Illig was the leading scorer with 13 points, while Perez followed right behind with 12 points.

Ronan Boys 64, Libby Boys 38

Ronan got a bounce-back win on Jan. 31 when they took on Libby.

It was a close one in the first quarter but that was as close as it got. Ronan scored 17 points in the second while only allowing the Loggers to score six points in response. That continued as Libby struggled against a stout Ronan defensive effort.

As Ronan scored with ease, the Loggers struggled to keep up, leading to a 64-38 Ronan win to close out the week. 

That win kept the Chiefs close to the top at second with a 5-2 record. Browning takes the lead of the division with a 5-1 record.

Ronan Girls 58, Libby Girls 35

Ronan capped off a successful conference week on Jan. 31 against Libby.

The Maidens are known for their iron-forged defense and it showed against the Lady Loggers. Despite being tied 12-12 in the first quarter, it was an uphill battle for Libby to keep up.

Ronan’s defense was complemented by a solid offensive effort as the team scored double-digits in each quarter. The Lady Loggers only put up single-digit scoring in the second and third quarters, sealing their fate in this one.

The Maidens took this one handily 58-35. 

This two-game win streak helps move Ronan to sixth place in the Northwest A with a 2-5 conference record.

    Polson junior Rylee Taylor-Jefferson takes a three-point shot in a game against Browning on Jan. 31 at Linderman Gym in Polson. (Max Dupras/Leader)
  

    Polson sophomore Amadeus Old Shoes goes up for a shot against Browning senior Shayde St. Goddard on Jan. 31 at Linderman Gym in Polson. (Bob Gunderson Photo)
  

Polson junior Aleysia Black goes up for a layup in a game against Browning on Jan. 31 at Linderman Gym in Polson. (Bob Gunderson Photo)