First half lead isn't enough for Libby

A solid first-half lead for Libby’s girls basketball team was beaten down by a Polson team that won 52-37 after a huge fourth quarter. 

The Lady Pirates trailed 23-15 at the intermission. But the Lady Loggers showed their inexperience in the last two quarters, forcing shots and making poor court decisions as Polson (1-1, 2-6) stole, assisted, and generally looked like a much different team from the first half.

“I told the girls to pick up our energy,” said Randy Kelley, Polson’s head coach. “We had a lot of deflections. I give a lot of credit to the team.”

Polson’s senior guard, Anna DiGiallonardo, led all scorers with 16 points, 10 of which came in the second half. Lady Logger sophomores Dayln Germany, Devon Gallagher and Hailey Craig led Libby with eight points each. 

Libby ran afoul of the full-court press, often making moves under pressure that were broken up.

“We got a little yippy,” said Libby Head Coach Jim May of the stepped-up Polson defense. “Their team strength is speed. Once they got confidence in that they battled back.”

One series of plays in particular highlighted the woes for Libby.

Hallie Hovenkotter, Lady Pirates’ junior post, made a break and lay-up, drawing the foul. She missed her shot, but senior forward Heidi Rausch cleaned it up for an easy two. Senior guard Mackenzie Banner stole the ball before it reached half court and scored another two for six Polson points in just over five seconds.

“They applied pressure and got confidence,” May said. “They were constantly aggressive. We’ve got to handle the pressure.

Libby heads to Kalispell to play Glacier, Tuesday Jan. 15.

Polson      3  12 16  20   —  52

Libby  9  14   5    9   —  37

Polson: Anna DiGiallonardo 16, Heidi Rausch 13, Tegan Bauer 10, Mackenzie Banner 9, Monika Frame 2, Hallie Hovenkotter 2.

Libby: Dayln Germany 8, Devon Gallagher 8, Hailey Craig 8, Hannah England 6, Kaitlyn Gilder 3, Hailley Moe 2, Gavy Oliver 2.