Nick Emerson hit the game-winning free throw for the Wildcats, as Polson fell in a 60-59 thriller. Columbia Falls needed everything they had to be victorious. They shot 53 percent from the field, got a combined 39 points from Emerson (16) and Austin Barth (23) and outrebounded the Pirates, 22-13.
Polson? Their starters came through in a big way. Junior Tyler Krell had 19 points as the Pirates leading scorer. Senior Lois Mohr dished out 10 assists and scored 14 points for a double-double. Senior Sheldon Fisher showed that ice-water ran through his veins by hitting two huge three-pointers at the end of the game.
In the end, it was a razor thin margin for two teams that should be contenders at the state tournament this year.
Columbia Falls jumped out to a 21-17 lead in the first quarter and had 38-29 advantage at halftime. Polson outscored the Wildcats 30-22 in the second half including one fourth quarter that will be talked about for years in Lake County.
Polson outscored Columbia Falls 15-8 in that final stanza, with contributions from everybody. First, Louis Mohr hit two buckets to pull the Pirates within 52-48, then Tyler Krell scored another two buckets to tie things up 53-53.
Then Sheldon Fisher happened.
Columbia Falls' Austin Barth scored to give the Wildcats the 55-53 lead near the one minute mark of the game. Fisher answered back for the Pirates, nailing a three-pointer with 54.2 seconds to go to give Polson a 56-55 advantage. Barth answer back with a three-point "And one" play to put Columbia Falls up again 58-56.
Who did the Pirates go to? Fisher. Again. For three.
Polson had the 59-58 lead and after Columbia Falls was unable to score, it appeared they had the game.
Then the Wildcats' press worked, caused a turnover and the Pirates were forced to foul with just seconds left. Emerson calmly sunk his free throws for Columbia Falls and gave them a one-point lead. Polson couldn't convert in one last-gasp effort.
Now their focus will turn to the state tournament next Friday.
Columbia Falls Boys Wildcats 60, Polson Boys Polson Pirates 59
Polson Boys Polson Pirates - 17 - 12 - 15 - 15 - 59
Columbia Falls Boys Wildcats - 21 - 17 - 14 - 8 - 60
Field goals - Polson - 25-47 (53.2%) - Columbia Falls - 22-44 (50.0%)
3 point field goals - Polson - 6-18 (33.3%) - Columbia Falls - 6-16 (37.5%)
Free throws - Polson - 3-6 (50.0%) - Columbia Falls - 10-12 (83.3%)
Rebounds (Total-Off.) - Polson - 13-2 - Columbia Falls - 22-9
Assists - Polson -18 - Columbia Falls - 13
Turnovers - Polson - 10 - Columbia Falls - 13
Steals - Polson - 0 - Columbia Falls - 1
Blocked shots - Polson - 0 - Columbia Falls - 0
Total fouls - Polson - 12 - Columbia Falls - 9
Points in the paint - Polson - 18 - Columbia Falls - 22
Bench points - Polson - 0 - Columbia Falls - 5
Polson Boys player statistics
Player - MIN - PTS - REB - AST - BLK - TO - STL - PF
#4 Krell, Tyler - 29 - 19 - 3 - 1 - 0 - 1 - 0 - 5
#22 Fisher, Sheldon - 29 - 14 - 3 - 2 - 0 - 1 - 0 - 0
#32 Mohr, Louis - 31 - 14 - 4 - 10 - 0 - 2 - 0 - 1
#12 Bagnell, Kyle - 29 - 10 - 0 - 0 - 0 - 3 - 0 - 2
#10 DiGiallanardo, Vince - 29 - 2 - 3 - 5 - 0 - 2 - 0 - 1
#24 Fischer, Cody - 9 - 0 - 0 - 0 - 0 - 0 - 0 - 2
#20 Camel, Zack - 4 - 0 - 0 - 0 - 0 - 1 - 0 - 1
Total - 32 - 59 - 13 - 18 - 0 - 10 - 0 - 12
Here are some photos from the game
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