Northwestern A Divisional: Polson Tops Whitefish in Challenge Game

Andrew Weltz scored 16 points, Cedrick Smith had 14 and the Polson Pirates punched their ticket to state, defeating the Whitefish Bulldogs 59-47 in Monday’s Northwestern A challenge game at Glacier High School.

Polson shot 73 percent from 3-point range in the second half and outscored Whitefish 36-24.

After rallying through the loser’s bracket, Polson (6-15) advanced to the Class A state tournament this week in Great Falls and will play Belgrade at 8 p.m. Thursday.

Garrett Anderson had 20 points and Keaton Nicholson scored 15 points for the Bulldogs (11-10).

Laurel plays Stevensville in the state opener at 12:30 p.m., followed by Columbia Falls vs. Havre at 2 p.m. Dillon takes on Miles City at 6:30 p.m.

Polson 13 10 17 19 — 59
Whitefish 13 10 12 12 — 47

POLSON — Cedrick Smith 3 5-8 14, Chris McDonald 3 3-5 11, Andrew Weltz 5 4-8 16, Tanner Wilson 3 0-0 9, Andrew Curley 2 0-0 6, Matthew Renxvold 0 3-4 3. Totals: 16 15-27 59.

WHITEFISH — Keaton Nicholson 5 2-2 15, EJ Havens 2 0-0 6, Art Doorn 1 0-0 2, Garrett Anderson 7 6-7 20, Cody Wilson 1 0-0 2, Hugh Ramlow 0 2-2 2. Totals: 16 10-11 47.

3-point goals – Polson 12-20 (C. Smith, Wilson 3), Whitefish 5-21 (Nicholson 3). Total fouls – Polson 13, Whitefish 19. Fouled out – Polson, T. Wilson. Whitefish, Alex Wilson.

Girls
Frenchtown 45, Polson 25

Vanessa Stavish scored 17 pooints, Haley Cyr added nine and the Lady Broncs (15-6) advanced to state with a win over Polson in the girls challenge game.

Kaelen Wall led Polson (4-17) with nine points.

Frenchtown plays Havre at 8 p.m., March 13, in the opening round of the Class A state tournament in Great Falls. Columbia Falls opens action against Belgrade at 12:30 p.m. Hamilton takes on Miles City at 2 p.m. and Laurel plays Anaconda at 6:30 p.m.

Polson 7 1 8 9 — 25
Frenchtown 12 16 11 6 — 45

POLSON — Skyla Krantz 2 0-0 5, Jessica Bagnell 2 0-0 6, Nichole Lake 2 0-0 4, Monika Frame 0 1-4 1, Kaelen Wall 4 1-2 9. Totals: 10 2-11 25.

FRENCHTOWN — Haley Cyr 3 2-2 9, Vanessa Stavish 4 9-10 17, Kayla Blood 1 0-0 2, Keegan Wickman 0 1-2 1, Emma Pyron 2 2-2 6, Alli Moe 1 0-0 2, Krista Hebnes 1 1-1 3, Laci Willett 2 1-2 5. Totals: 14 16-20 45.

3-point goals – Polson 3-14 (Bagnell 2), Frenchtown 1-7 (Cyr). Total fouls – Polson 18, Frenchtown 14. Fouled out – none.