Another exciting week of Northwest A basketball saw the Polson and Ronan basketball teams take on some tough opponents, drawing some equally tough results.

It was a difficult slate of games for both the boys and girls as all four Class A Lake County teams tried to stay competitive throughout January. Here’s a look at the scores from last week.

Browning Girls 46, Ronan Girls 41

It was an exciting and exhausting weekend in Ronan as the Browning Indians came to town for a doubleheader on Jan. 17. For Ronan, it was going to be a tough battle to beat both Browning teams.

For the girls, it started with a low-scoring first quarter with Browning having the early edge. However, it was the Maidens who were able to find a rhythm going into the second quarter. While Browning still put up similar numbers in the first, Ronan scored 15 points in back-to-back quarters to help take a decisive lead.

The game was defined by turnovers as both teams struggled to keep the ball on either side. With Ronan getting more opportunities, it seemed likely they could keep that lead going into the fourth quarter.

The Lady Indians had another plan. It was a defensive masterclass from Browning as the team only allowed Ronan to score five points while topping 15 points of their own to come out with the 46-41 win.

Kailyn Morengo led the Maidens with 10 points, but no other member of the roster reached double-digits. This drops Ronan to just 1-7 on the year.

Browning Boys 70, Ronan Boys 62

For the second half of the doubleheader on Jan. 17, the Browning boys came out firing with multiple emphatic dunks to kick off the scoring. However, Ronan was not phased after a 21-11 first quarter.

After missing multiple threes early, the Chiefs were able make multiple threes and close the Indians' lead. Browning still managed to showcase the dynamic offense from the first quarter but Ronan kept it competitive with sure shooting and forcing turnovers.

The second half was not as kind to Ronan as Browning put defensive pressure on the Chiefs that it wasn’t able to handle. Ronan struggled to keep the shooting consistent as turnovers piled up, leading to a 52-42 score going into the fourth quarter.

For Browning, it got its sweep after handling Ronan when it counted. The Chiefs found ways to close the gap, but it was the Indians who responded when the moment was there. Browning secured the sweep with a 70-62 victory.

Matiya Nenemay and Kolby Finley tied for the most points for Ronan with 17 each. That loss put Ronan at 6-2 and still in contention for the Northwest A one seed.

Whitefish Girls 48, Ronan Girls 42

Earlier in the week on Jan. 13, Ronan took on Whitefish. It was the girls who played another close game against the Lady Bulldogs.

The Maidens kept it close again against Whitefish, scoring almost comparably to the Lady Bulldogs. However, Whitefish had the edge and managed to find a couple more scoring chances early on.

It was 26-21 going into halftime and Ronan fought back. After only trailing by six points going into the fourth quarter, the Maidens needed to find more scoring late. Unfortunately, it was only able to break even in the fourth quarter, leading to the eventual 48-42 loss.

Marengo led the team in scoring again with 12 points as Ronan searches for its second win of the year.

Ronan Boys 76, Whitefish Boys 48

The Ronan Chiefs also took on Whitefish on Jan. 13, but had a more successful night with the help of a highlight performance from Kolby Finley.

Ronan dominated early in the first half, with Finley scoring at will. While points were great, it was what Finley did on the boards that helped even more. He cleaned up when it came to rebounds, helping propel the Chiefs to a 39-27 first-half lead.

It was in the second half that Ronan ran away with the game. Whitefish struggled to score or match the output that was occurring from Ronan. With Finley controlling the offense, it was only a matter of time before the boys took that game.

In the 76-48 win, Finley notched a 24-point and 11-rebound double-double.

Bigfork Girls 71, Polson Girls 49

Polson’s teams split results on their week, with the girls dropping a tough one to Bigfork on Jan. 13. The Lady Pirates struggled to stop the Valkyries' impressive scoring output most of the game.

It was close in the first half, with Bigfork only leading 29-22. However, Polson couldn’t keep up as the Valkyries rattled off a 22- and 20-point third and fourth quarter, respectively. 

Hinkley Moss led the way for the Lady Pirates with 25 points, setting her varsity career high in points scored in a single game.

Bigfork Boys 44, Polson Boys 42

The boys also struggled in a low-scoring slugfest against the Vikings on Jan. 13. It was a back-and-forth contest that saw Polson lead early. However, a big second quarter from Bigfork saw the game at 22-21.

The Pirates kept up in the second half, leading by just two going into the final quarter of play. It was there that Bigfork snatched victory away. After trailing 42-40, Polson’s Kyson Michel hit a massive two-point shot to tie it up with just 15 seconds on the clock. However, it was Bigfork’s Austin Savik who played hero and hit the game-winning bucket to put the Vikings on top.

Cody Haggard led the way with 12 points.

Polson Girls 51, Libby Girls 15

Polson also took a roadtrip to Libby, where they managed a more favorable result on Jan. 17. The Lady Pirates were efficient early, scoring almost at will as Libby struggled to get a bucket. After not allowing Libby to score once in the second quarter, it seemed destined for Polson to win.

The Lady Pirates were unbeatable all game, and high-scoring quarters were just routine for Polson. It pulled out a decisive 51-15 win on the back of Rylee Taylor-Jefferson’s 22-point performance.

Polson Boys 66, Libby Boys 56

The Polson boys also had a strong showing against Libby on Jan. 17 but started slower than the girls. Libby put up a fight in the first by taking a 14-12 lead. However, it quickly vanished after an 18-point second quarter from Polson.

The Pirates didn’t need to worry about only 13 points in the third quarter because of a huge 23-point fourth quarter performance. It was plenty to keep the lead and cruise past the Loggers.

Malakai Curley was the star of this one with a 28-point showing. He is now over 100 points on the season.

    Ronan eighth grader Nefertiti Stewart goes up for a shot on Browning junior Zoey Valandra on Jan. 17. (Max Dupras/Leader)
  

    Ronan eighth grader Lanaeya Eppinette drives to the basket against Browning on Jan. 17. (Max Dupras/Leader)
  

    Eighth grader Aizjah Sherwood looks up at the basket as she prepares for a free throw against Browning on Jan. 17. (Max Dupras/Leader)
  

    Ronan senior Tryance Matt goes up for a shot against Browning senior Shayde St. Goddard on Jan. 17. (Max Dupras/Leader)
  

    Ronan senior Kolby Finley walks and dribbles up the court against Browning on Jan. 17. (Max Dupras/Leader)