Tough week for Lady 'Dogs

The Lady Bulldogs basketball team suffered a pair of losses last week, falling 68-43 to Bigfork and 64-25 to conference-rival Columbia Falls.

At Bigfork on Feb. 11, the No. 9 ranked Class B Valkyries opened the first quarter on fire, sinking 21 points and holding the 'Dogs to just six.

In the second period, Whitefish picked up their intensity and nearly matched Bigfork in the quarter with 14 points, but another 20-point offensive explosion by the Valkyries in the third put the game out of reach.

Jessica Slaybaugh led Whitefish in scoring with 16 points, including three 3-pointers. Shelby Backer added nine points on four field goals, and Karissa DeMarco and Danielle McCully each chipped in with six.

On Saturday, Whitefish hosted Columbia Falls, and again, a slow offensive start and numerous turnovers by the Lady Bulldogs put the game out of reach as the 'Kats jumped out to a 24-3 lead in the first frame.

Going into halftime, Columbia Falls had built a 28-point lead they would expand to 40 by the final buzzer.

McCully led Whitefish (1-8, 1-16) in scoring with eight points, including two 3-pointers. Mariah Kanistanaux knocked down a pair of field goals and was two-of-four from the stripe for six points.