Revisit to R House: Ramping up for return renditions of Rez roundball rivalry wrangles with Ronan
by John Heglie
Boys: 8pm Pirates at Chiefs varsity on Tuesday, January 16, 2024 at Ronan Events Center
Polson Frosh/JV at Ronan Frosh/JV on Monday, January 15. 4:30pm/7:30pm
Wrestling duals at 6pm.
Due the below average temperatures and the impact of weather upon road conditions that cancelled preceding contests, those interested in attending this event should doublecheck postings from the venue to confirm whether the event will commence as scheduled. Weather forecasts point toward a return to more normative conditions for this time of year on the day of competition.
Wrangle round one nightcap : Pirates at Chiefs
Polson Pirates (0-3, 1-8)
The preceding 2022-23 rendition of the Pirates (7-13) graduated seven key contributors who accounted for over three-quarters of their point productivity last season, which would have placed them squarely in a rebuilding phase this season even if their tri-sport accolade accentuated team second-leading scorer had been able to reprise his role as the sole seasoned veteran returnee. Such a substantial turnover of roster resources resulted in the inevitability of fresh faces who would need time to acclimate as they were called upon to fill vacant roles. Though the first half of the season has been a rough adjustment, the team as a whole is moving in the right direction as they have been closing the gaps in scoring disparity.
At the halfway juncture of the regulation schedule, the current rendition of the Pirate roster features its first seasonal century club contributor in junior 6-2 guard/forward Cason Graham, who has delved into the domain of double digits on seven occasions thus far with a career high 21. Graham is also one of the lead rebounders for the Pirates with close to four dozen gleans off the glass entering the rivalry wrangle.
On the verge of cresting the century point plateau for season scoring is senior 6-1 guard Anthony Lichtenberg, who has turned in five double figure outings thus far this season with a season high of 22. Having already crested the century point plateau for career scoring, Lichtenberg like Graham is one of the team leading rebounders as well.
The role of senior 6-4 forward/post Brock Henriksen may not be as prolific at point production as the preceding Pirates, but his function as facilitator of flow is reflected by his dishes on dime to teammates. Henriksen missed a significant swath of court time last season mending from injury as he makes up for lost time as he blends procuring of points with gleaning the glass.
Senior 5-11 guard Ezra FastHorse possesses double-S size and speed that helps him carve out space around the basket along with exploiting seams between defenses to either drive or dish.
Sophomore 6-1 guard/forward Maddox Bird, a first-team all-conference keeper in soccer, already familiar with denying goals on defense, but can now use his hands to score goals on offense.
Guards Brenden Griffin and Jesse Vail are disruptive defenders who have combined for over two dozen steals as well as precise sharpshooters on offense who have collaborated on 22 triples thus far this season from behind the arc.
Further supplemental reserves include senior 6-1 forward Uriah Ulutoa and sophomores Cruz Lies along with Cody Haggard. Other roster resources who can be drawn upon include, juniors Landon Desjarlais along with Landon Pablo, sophomores Dion Lichtenberg along with Darious YellowHorn and senior Kyler Gage.
Unfortunately, senior 5-8 guard Torrin Ellis, who was leading the team in dispensing assists, will be sidelined for much of the duration of the season as he awaits an arm injury to mend.
Ronan Chiefs (2-0, 5-3)
The 2022-23 renditon of the Chiefs (6-13) graduated four from their roster last season including Rocky Mountain College recruit Elijah Tonasket. Cumulative graduate along with attrition contributions accounted for less than 20% of team point production, a lower figure than it would have been under ordinary circumstances on account of an early season injury which curtailed the ordinary level of input of their leading scorer the preceding season. With the bulk of the Ronan roster returning largely intact, the current 2023-24 Chiefs effectively reload.
The Chiefs return their leading scorer last season in twice all-conference (2nd-tm 22-23, hm 21-22) senior 6-4 forward Marlo Tonasket, who has crested the century point plateau for season scoring at this halfway juncture of the regulation schedule. Tonasket has logged a half dozen games scoring among double figures with a season high of 22 and a career high of two dozen.
The Chiefs other accolade accentuated returnee is all-conference honorable mention sophomore 6-1 guard Kolby Finley, who was technically the team second-leading scorer last season by the slim margin of a couple of field goals. Finley led the team in assists last season with a half dozen margin and might have dished at a comparable rate at this halfway juncture of the schedule had he not been sideline mending from a football injury until the winter break. Finley has returned to the lineup after the New Year, turning in a season high 19 in the most recent game prior to the rivalry wrangle.
Senior 6-1 guard/forward Ted Coffman III accrued within a handful of Finley last season for both points as well as assists. Coffman crested the triple century point plateau for varsity career scoring at the Tip-Off with a varsity career high of a dozen and a half stemming from his sophomore season.
Junior 6-4 forward/post Josiah Misa is one of the team leading rebounders and has reeled in over three dozen boards at the halfway juncture of the schedule.
Junior 5-9 guard Laurance Lozeau has been the leading dispenser of assists through the midpoint of the regulation schedule and has thus far turned in a career high 15 points traced to last season's play-in.
The Chiefs also have talented contingent of supplemental reserves that include seniors DaVonne Curley along with Keyan PrettyOnTop, junior 6-2 forward/post Sean Small, junior guards Wade Qualtier along with Tayen Edmo and sophomore 6-3 guard/forward Jhett McDonald who have all accrued points that range among the spectrum of double figures. Other roster resources include more periodic contributions from Connor Durglo, Chad Higgins, Trey Samsel, Teddy SpottedEagle and Austin Webster, a quintet who have collaborated on a cumulative 20 points and almost as many rebounds.
Spanning the past decade of rivalry wrangles, the Pirates hold an 18-3 advantage. But that apparent disparity doesn't reflect that half of those contests were decided by ten points or less, five of which were decided by two possessions or less. If one expands the comparison another five seasons to entail the past decade and a half, seven outcomes have been separate by a single possession among which there have been three overtimes.
Last season the Pirates were laden with season veterans, while the Chiefs were more in the process of integrating players with a lesser degree of varsity-caliber exposure. This time around, the shoe is somewhat on the other foot as the Chiefs return the higher percentage of seasoned veterans. Nevertheless, the Pirates have now acclimated to the caliber of competition with half a season under their belts.
Polson has been refining many of the factors that contributed to their earlier losses by reducing turnovers, maintaining possessions with better ball control and implementing higher percentage shot selection. The Chiefs will apply pressure to put what their cross county cousins have learned to the test. But like many of the rivalry wrangles in the past, the outcome will likely be determined by who converts better from the field as well as at the charity stripe.
A sampling of Rez roundball rivalry wrangles:
(Sa06Mar2021gm10st) Ronan 38, Polson 37 at C.M. Russell gym in Great Falls, State A consolation loser out
After being swept in their regulation schedule series, the Chiefs extracted their revenge on the biggest stage when Ruben Couture would net the front end of a pair of free throws to advance Ronan another round. A low scoring affair by rivalry wrangle standards, Pirate Colton Graham and Chief Girma Detwiler each scored ten.
(Fr05Jan2018) Polson 77, Ronan 75 (2OT) at SKC Gym in Pablo,
Zeke Misa scored 27, Anthony Camel 22 for the Chiefs. Pirates countered with 28 from Connor Lanier 28, with Robin Erickson tallying 16 along with Shade Main scoring 15.
(Sa03Jan2015) Ronan 55, Polson 53 (OT) at old Linderman Gym in Polson
Cedric Earthboy converted a layup with about five seconds remaining to send the contest into the extra period. Earthboy followed with further heroics by scoring all of Ronan's points in the overtime period with three deuces along with a quartet from the charity stripe. Earthboy and Jeremiah North Piegan both scored 19 for the Chiefs, while Matt Rensvold tallied 17 along with 14 from Tanner Wilson for the Pirates.
(Fr21Dec2012) Ronan 29, Polson 28 at old Linderman Gym in Polson
The lowest scoring rivalry wrangle among the series of recent vintage. Trailing 27-25, Pirate Hayden Congdon launched a good look triple attempt that was reluctant to acquire its target. Cedrick Smith recovered the ball after the miss, would be fouled, but the trip the the charity stripe would come up empty with less than 20 seconds remaining. Chief Zack Wagner reeled in the rebound, was fouled and sank both free-throws to give Ronan a 29-25 lead with just over a dozen seconds remaining. Pirate Derek Peel would convert an open look three to pull within one, but Polson was unable to pick any pockets for a pilfer to give themselves another possession. No players would score among double figures. The Chiefs as well as the Pirates would be paced by guards Tim Woll and Smith, each with 9. Pirate post Riley Sampson reeled in ten rebounds.
(06Feb2009) Ronan 47, Polson 44 at Ronan Events Center
A deuce by Chief Mike Fisher with less than 20 seconds remaining gave Ronan the lead. The Pirates attempted to tie with a triple attempt in the waning seconds, but were unable to connect. Fisher scored eight of his 15 points in the final frame, including 4-5 from the charity stripe, while teammate Jay Sorrell pitched in 11. The Pirates were paced by Craig Bagnell with 15 and Louis Mohr with 10.
(Fr09Jan2009) Polson 50, Ronan 48 at old Linderman Gym in Polson
Ryan Kelley provided the margin of victory with a 10-foot jumper with 15 seconds remaining. For the Pirates, Kyle Bagnell led all scorers with 15, while Tim Rausch and Waylon Michel both tallied 11. The Chiefs placed a trio in double figures: Dallas Cordier 13, Kyle Hendrickx 11, Nolan Harris 10.
(Th25Jan2007) Ronan 65, Polson 55 at old Linderman Gym in Polson
The biggest single player scoring extravaganza of recent vintage among rivalry wrangles. Ronan sophomores Mike Fisher and Nolan Harris combined to dial the operator long distance and complete the call from beyond the arc for ten triples. Harris scored 31 points and almost seemed unconscious launching from long distance as he splashed 8-12 treys, perhaps partially due to a special scoring dispensation on account of the game taking place on his birthday.
Opponents in common: Corvallis (C57-56P, R53-50C), Stevensville (P65-24S, R74-35S), Butte Central (BC74-43P, BC56-43R), Hamilton (H78-P49, H67-48R)
Boys career highs:
POLSON – Cason Graham 22, Anthony Lichtenberg 21, Jesse Vail 17, Brenden Griffin 11
RONAN – Marlo Tonasket 22, Kolby Finley 21, Ted Coffman 18, Josiah Misa 17, Laurance Lozeau 15, Sean Small 13, Tayen Edmo 11
Wtr2022-23 Polson Pirates (7-13), NWA(5-5), nonconf(2-6), Div (0-2)
2022-23bbb Pirates (1150p,696r,219a,175s,24b) –
Returnees: Brock Henriksen (21p,28r,5a,7s,2b), Anthony Lichtenberg (7p,6r,1s), Cason Graham (4p,3r,1a,2s), Ezra FastHorse (4p,4r,1s);
Graduates: Jarrett Wilson (424p,154r,61a,60s,7b), Trent Wilson (138p,81r,31a,22s), Dawson DuMont (110p,103r,25a,21s,6b), Cymian Kauley (104p,100r,13a,11s,2b), Tyler Wenderoth (51p,30r,20a,10s), Owen McElwee (50p,60r,10a,9s,4b), Colter Wilson (32p, 33r,20a,10s,1b), Brock Henriksen (21p,28r,5a,7s,2b);
Attrition/Transfers: Espn Fisher (197p,87r,33a,21s,2b), Jabez Madplume (8p,5r), Hunter Emerson (2r).
Wtr2022-23 Ronan Chiefs (6-13), NWA(2-8), nonconf(4-4), play-in (0-1)
2022-23bbb Chiefs (991p,565r,250a,168s,63b) –
Returnees: Marlo Tonasket (224p,105r,41a,19s,28b), Josiah Misa (160p,118r,17a,12s,12b), Kolby Finley (162p,75r,58a,23s,2b), Ted Coffman (158p,60r,52a,33s,11b), Laurance Lozeau (95p,37r,19a,17s,2b), DaVonne Curley (29p,11r,2a,5s), Wade Qualtier (7p,5r,3a,4s), Sean Small (7p,6r), Tayen Edmo (6p,4r,1a,1s), Keyan PrettyOnTop (3p,1r,1a,2s);
Graduates: Jordan Gatch (89p,52r,20a,20s,6b), Elijah Tonasket (31p, 15r,11a,10s), Jesse Zepeda (32p,30r,12a,14s), Robbie McCrea (25p,38r,11a,6s,2b);
Attrition/Transfers: Drake Finley (11p,8r,1s).
Accrued athletic accolade acknowledgements
POLSON: Brock Henriksen (FB 2x a-c 2nd-tm DE 2023/LB 2022), Ezra FastHorse (FB a-c hm DL), Trey Lichtenberg (BSC a-s, a-c 1st-tm), Cason Graham (BB state champion), Torrin Ellis (TN-S 2x a-s: 2nd 2023, 5th 2022; 2x a-c: 2nd 2022-23; GLF a-s t13 2022, 2x a-c t5 2022, 8th 2021, team state champion 2023), Cruz Lies (BSC 2x a-c: 2nd-tm 2023, hm 2022), Maddox Bird (BSC a-c 1st-tm), Cody Haggard (BB State A champion 2023); RONAN: Marlo Tonasket (BBB 2x a-c: 2nd-tm 22-23, hm 21-22), Ted Coffman (FB a-c hm WR 2022), Laurance Lozeau (FB a-s, 2x a-c: 1st-tm OLB 2023, hm LB 2022/2nd-tm WR-TE 2023); Kolby Finley (BBB a-c hm 22-23; FB a-c hm QB; TF div pv 9th); Connor Durglo (TF div tj 2nd, 4x400 6th), Josiah Misa (TF div 4x400 6th, tj 8th), Wade Qualtier (TF div 4x400 6th), Tayen Edmo (TF div 4x400 6th).
Rez roundball rivalry wrangle boys history
(Sa11Feb23) P49-45R, (Sa14Jan23) P61-55R;
(Fr04Feb22) P56-47R, (Fr07Jan22) P56-35R;
(Sa06Mar21gm10st) R38-37P, (Sa20Feb21) P51-43R, (Fr29Jan21) P62-40R;
(Fr28Feb20gm9div) P65-55R, (Fr31Jan20) P63-46R, (Fr10Jan20) P63-48R;
(Fr25Jan19) P59-50R, (Fr04Jan19) P60-47R;
(Sa17Feb18gm16nwa) P63-51R, (Fr26Jan18) P62-49R, (Fr05Jan18) P77-75R 2OT;
(Tu20Dec16) P62-51R;
(Tu02Feb16) P79-43R;
(Th12Feb15) P46-36R, (Sa03Jan15) OT:R55-53P;
(Fr03Jan14) P51-37R;
(Fr21Dec12) R29-28P; [MaxP]
(Tu24Jan12) P54-41R [MaxP]
(04Feb11) P69-59R, (07Jan11) P74-61R [MaxP]
(M01Mar10NWAchallenge) P54-38R, (Sa20Feb10) P88-50R, (05Feb10) resched?, (05Jan10) P51-45R
(06Feb09) R47-44P, (09Jan09) P50-48R
(31Jan08) P52-46R, (04Jan08) OT:P64-62R
(25Jan07) R65-55P, (19Dec06) R61-42P
(11Feb06) P76-35R, (20Dec05) P59-43R
Note: not all of these reportings have been cross referenced and verified. Consequently, some inaccuracies may exist.
