Free throws push Polson to OT win over Whitefish

COLUMBIA FALLS — Polson hit 7 of 8 free throws and added a field goal by Zack Camel in overtime to spill Whitefish 40-35 in a Northwestern A divisional boys basketball challenge game Monday evening.

Camel was 5 of 6 from the charity stripe in extended play and Vince DiGiallonardo was 2 of 2.

Camel finished with a team-high 18 points.

Whitefish’s Gage Vasquez, who led all scorers with 23 points, sank two free throws and a field goal to account for all of the Bulldogs’ OT points.

The victory advances Polson (10-11) to the Class A state tournament at the Butte Civic Center. The Pirates, the No. 2 seed from this division, will face Southwestern A No. 1 seed Dillon at 2 p.m. on Thursday.

Dillon was ranked No. 2 in last week’s Class A poll.

Polson advances to state for the third-straight season.

Whitefish had a shot to win it in regulation play, but a field goal at the buzzer was off the mark.

Whitefish (12-8) lost to Columbia Falls 66-40 on Saturday in the divisional championship game.

The Bulldogs last state tournament experience was in 2009.

Four-time divisional and defending state champion Columbia Falls (17-3) opens state play Thursday at 6:30 p.m. versus Stevensville. The Yellowjackets won a Southwestern A challenge game on Monday, beating Corvallis 55-42.

Whitefish 5 10 7 9 4 — 35

Polson 8 12 9 2 9 — 40

WHITEFISH — Christopher Forrest 2 0-0 4, Jake Slaybaugh 1 0-0 2, Logan Harwood 1 2-4 4, Gage Vasquez 8 6-8 23, Jace Kalbfleisch 1 0-2 2. Totals: 13 8-14 35.

POLSON — Vince DiGiallonardo 1 2-2 5, Will Davey 1 1-2 3, Ian Laimbeer 2 0-3 4, Zack Camel 5 6-9 18, Cody Fischer 3 0-0 6, Riley Sampson 0 4-4 4. Totals: 12 13-20 40.

3-point goals: Vasquez; DiGiallonardo, Camel (2); Team fouls: Whitefish 16, Polson 13; Fouled out: Kalbfleisch.

Class A State Boys Basketball Tournament

Butte Civic Center

Thursday

12:30 p.m. — Laurel vs. Livingston

2 p.m. — Dillon vs. Polson

6:30 p.m. — Columbia Falls vs.Stevensville

8 p.m. — Browning vs. Billings Central