Pirates stung by the Yellowjackets

By B.L. Azure

POLSON — The Polson Pirates got stung on their road trip to Southwestern A conference Stevensville Yellowjackets Saturday. The non-conference clash loss evened the Pirates overall record to 2-2 and Stevensville improved its record to 3-2.

Stevensville 56, Polson 39
The Pirates were cold from the get-go notching a stingy four points in the first quarter to the Yellowjackets 11. The second was a little better for the Pirates but they were outscored 12-7 and Stevensville had a 12-point halftime lead (23-11).

The Pirates and Yellowjackets both eclipsed their first-half point production in the third quarter.

The Yellowjackets Ethan Pateman lit it up for 14 points in the third as Stevensville added another nine points to their lead with a 22-13 surge and led 45-24 entering the fourth. The Pirates got the better of the Yellowjackets 15-11 in the fourth to account for the final 56-39 tally in Stevensville’s favor.

Senior guard Craig Bagnell led the Pirates with nine points. Waylon Michel had eight points and Kyle Bagnell seven.

Ethan Pateman led the Yellowjackets with 22 points and Jeremy Rusnell had 12.
• The Pirates (2-2) host Ronan 6:30 p.m. Friday, Jan. 9 and host Columbia Falls 3 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 10.