Ronan, Libby post Northwest A tournament victories
RONAN — Ronan survived a wild fourth quarter to check a Columbia Falls rally and post a 65-52 victory in first-round action of the Northwest A conference boys basketball tournament Thursday at the Ronan Events Center.
Columbia Falls tallied 26 points in the last eight minutes to 20 for Ronan to make for a more competitive finish.
The game started, however, on a rocky note for Columbia Falls, which failed to score in the opening quarter. That allowed Ronan to take a 27-8 at the half.
Ezekiel Misa led the Ronan offense with 21 points. Anthony Camel was next with 13 points and Dallas Durheim added 11.
Matthew Morrison topped Columbia Falls in scoring with 19 points while Tucker Salmonsen followed with 11.
Ronan moves into semifinal action tonight at 5:30 versus Browning.
Columbia Falls drops to loser-out play on Saturday at 11 a.m.
Columbia Falls 0 8 18 26 — 52
Ronan 15 12 18 20 — 65
Columbia Falls — Austin Green 2, Tucker Salmonsen 11, Drew Morgan 9, Lowell Panasuk 2, Quintin Schriver 6, Logan Bechtel 3, Matthew Morrison 19
Ronan — Ezekiel Misa 21, Randy Finley 2, Nathan Dennis 9, Bubba Bush 6, Dallas Durheim 11, Jacob Gatch 3, Anthony Camel 13.
Libby 50, Whitefish 30
RONAN — Libby capitalized on a scoreless second quarter by Whitefish to roll away with a 20-point win.
Libby jumped out to a 19-8 lead after eight minutes of action and led 32-8 at intermission.
JJ Davis topped Libby in scoring with 12 points. Ryggs Johnson netted 11.
Ryan Kemm led Whitefish with eight points.
Libby moves into the semifinal round tonight at 8 versus Polson, who had a first-round bye.
Whitefish falls into loser-out action Saturday at 11 a.m.
Libby 19 13 10 8 — 50
Whitefish 8 0 10 12 — 30
Libby — Brian Peck 7, JJ Davis 12, Ryggs Johnston 11, Jay Beagle 6, Nik Jones 7, Keith Johnson 7.
Whitefish — Justin Conklin 3, Brendyn Peacock 2, Mark Anderson 4, Sam Menicke 5, Ryan Kemm 8, Lee Walburn 5, Dillon Botner 3.
Girls
Ronan 46, Whitefish 43
RONAN — Micalann McCrea scored nine of her game-high 20 points in the fourth quarter to help Ronan pull away for the victory over Whitefish in first-round action of the Northwest A conference tournament.
Tied at 28-all, Ronan outscored Whitefish 18-11 in the fourth quarter.
Regan Clairmont added 12 points for Ronan.
Kaiah Moore and Payton Kastella had nine points each to lead Whitefish. Hope Brown chipped in eight.
Ronan advances to semifinal action today at 3:30 p.m. against Columbia Falls, which had a first-round bye.
Whitefish falls to loser-out action Saturday morning at 9:30 a.m.
Ronan 10 9 9 18 — 46
Whitefish 3 15 10 11 — 39
Ronan — Micalann McCrea 20, Gabby Wirz 3, Tianna Ulutoa 1, Madison Clairmont 4, Regan Clairmont 12, Jealynn Askan 6, Madeline McCrea 2.
Whitefish — Hope Brown 8, Claire Carloss 1, Kaiah Moore 9, Ashton Ramsey 2, Annisa Brown 6, Payton Kastella 9, Marlee Bender 8.
Libby 31, Polson 22
RONAN — Libby jumped out to a 12-2 lead and rolled from there for a nine-point victory over Polson.
Libby did the bulk of its scoring in the first and fourth quarters.
Jayden Winslow had 11 points to lead Libby.
Aislyn Baker paced Polson with 10.
Libby advances to semifinal play tonight at 6:30 versus Browning, who had a first-round bye.
Polson slips into loser-out play Saturday at 9:30 a.m.
Libby 12 6 2 11 — 31
Polson 2 3 2 15 — 22
Libby — Jayden Winslow 11, Khalyn Hageness 2, Shannon Reny 14, Brooklyn Rainer 4.
Polson — Aislyn Baker 10, Kaelyn Smith 5, Quinn Motichka 4, Mahala Buffalo 3.