Braves get the best of Kats, but Kats get the best of Broncs

Hungry Horse News

Before last Friday's game against Flathead, Wildkat basketball coach Kris Salonen said her 3-0 team hadn't really been tested.

Well, they got their test against Flathead. And a 61-49 loss showed they needed some improvements.

After an impressive start that gave Columbia Falls a five-point first quarter lead, the Wildkats' offense stagnated just as Flathead's shooters caught fire.

The Bravettes hit four 3-pointers in the second quarter and jumped to a 45-31 halftime lead. Meanwhile, the Wildkats looked disjointed as they added just three baskets.

Columbia Falls continued to sputter in the third quarter, producing just six points.

"We just had problems running our offense," sophomore point guard Callie Spencer said. "Our team is better than that."

Columbia Falls' offense improved against weaker competition Saturday. The Wildkats beat up on Hamilton for a 59-29 victory and improved to 4-1.

Columbia Falls had a 12-point lead at the half, which was not enough to please Salonen. At halftime she told her team to play harder.

And it did. The Wildkats outscored the Broncs 28-10 in the second half.

"They just came out and they really did well with our offense," Salonen said. "And we really shot the ball well in the second half, unlike Friday night when the girls were real tentative. "

One Wildkat who shot well on Friday was Kim Pearce. She drained three 3-pointers and had 11 points. All-state forward Bekah Stoltz led the team with 17 points.

Holli Hashley was the main force for Flathead, leading the Bravettes with 21 points.

Against Hamilton, Columbia Falls had production from an ensemble of players. Ten Wildkats scored. Jenna Toole led the team with 10 points. Spencer added nine points.

Now the Wildkats are in for a long stretch of practices. They have no games between Dec. 18 and Jan. 6. Salonen said she will focus on increasing her team's intensity.

"We're going to step it up a notch and make our practices more competitive," Salonen said.

Their next game is against Libby at home.

"We can win the little games, now we've got to win the big games," Salonen said.

The Columbia Falls junior varsity team beat Polson Monday and lost by a huge margin against Flathead Friday.

The freshmen team lost to Flathead on Dec. 13 and lost to Polson by four points Monday.

Braves 61, Cats 49

Flathead 9 25 11 16 61

Columbia Falls 14 11 6 18 49

Wildkats 59, Broncs 29

Columbia Falls 14 17 14 14 59

Hamilton 9 10 3 7 29