Kats rout Maidens 67-23, take top seed into NW A tourney

For the first time in 13 years, the Columbia Falls girls have the top seed in divisional tournament play, but only a primary goal has been accomplished.

The Wildkats have a first-round bye in the Northwestern A Divisional Basketball Tournament this week in Kalispell. Fourth-seeded Polson faces No. 5 Whitefish in the first round at 6 p.m. Thursday. CFHS takes on the winner in the semifinals at 6 p.m. Friday. Both games are at Glacier High School.

CFHS finished 9-1 in the conference, it’s only loss to Polson, and takes an 11-7 overall record into the post-season.

Bigfork, the No. 3 seed, plays sixth-seeded Ronan at 8 p.m. Thursday. The winner is pitted against No. 2 Libby at 8 p.m. Friday. Both are at GHS.

The top two teams qualify for the state tournament March 5-7 in Butte. A Monday challenge game is possible to determine the No. 2 seed from the Northwestern A at state.

Saturday was Senior Night for the Wildkats, and lone senior Alyssa Ladenburg was sent out in style. The Kats stormed to a 41-15 halftime lead over Ronan en route to a 67-23 victory to cap the regular season on Larry Schmautz Memorial Court.

The “twin towers,” sisters Kayla and Kelsey DeWit, were the catalysts for the Kats. They combined for 12-for-16 shooting in the first half and 25 points.

“We were playing a pretty injury-riddled Ronan team,” Kats head coach Dan Fairbank said of the Maidens, who were missing a couple of regular starters. “The girls came out and did everything we asked of them right away.”

The Kats held the Maidens scoreless in the fourth quarter.

With the divisional top seed already wrapped up, Fairbank had the opportunity for a different than usual game plan.

“They got on their shooters. We did not allow them to rebound,” the coach explained. “Ronan had a hard time matching up with us. We made sure we went inside first.”

Kayla DeWit had another double double to lead the Kats — with 22 points, 12 rebounds and four steals. Kelsey DeWit added 15 and seven boards. Both DeWits shot very well from the field.

“That’s the challenge I gave them. We had been missing our first seven or eight shots (in a game),” Fairbank said.

As a team, the Kats shot a solid 48 percent.

Having developed as the team leader, Ladenburg had a rare double double with 10 points and 13 assists. She also had four steals.

“She  was able to lead the fast break and find the people who were open,” said Fairbank, who added that is was a “super game” for the senior.

Brooke Cady is emerging as a consistent contributor; the junior had eight points and six rebounds.

CFHS outrebounded Ronan, 37-18, and allowed only the Maidens only five offensive rebounds.

“We can’t let people get those second, third and fourth shots,” Fairbank said.

THE KATS HAVE won 10 of their last 13 games, but Fairbank cautions that it more of a disadvantage than an advantage to have a first-round bye.

“Our opening round game was Saturday night (against Ronan),” the coach said, and the Kats will be facing a Polson or Whitefish team that has a divisional game under its belt.

According to Fairbank, a key to his team’s success will be effective the DeWit sisters and other Kats are inside.

“They have a very physical style of play against them now,” Fairbank said. “The DeWits have to be very careful of foul trouble early in the game.”

RONAN (23)

Ashley Cheff 0 1-2 1, Taylor Lynch 1 0-0 2, Carli Starkel 4 0-0 10, Morgan Belgrade 2 2-6 6, Shandee Delonger 2 0-1 4. Totals 9 3-9 23.

COLUMBIA FALLS (67)

McKenzie Reeve 1 0-0 2, Kayla Stratton 1 0-0 2, Ashli Fairbank 1 0-0 2, Brooke Cady 3 2-2 8, Kayla DeWit 11 0-0 22, Alyssa Ladenburg 4 2-2 10, Shay Grilley 2 0-0 4, Jonna Werner 0 2-2 2, Kelsey DeWit 7 1-4 15. Totals 30 7-10 67.

Ronan    6    9    8    0 — 23

Columbia Falls    21    20    12    14 — 67

3-point goals: Starkel 2. Total fouls: Ronan 10, Columbia Falls 11. Fouled out: none.