Lady 'Dogs search for balance

Plug one leak and another springs. So goes the trials and tribulations of a team searching for its first win.

The Lady Bulldogs managed to post the most points of their season against Bigfork on Jan. 14. Yet poor rebounding led to a 55-38 loss.

Against Columbia Falls on Jan. 16, Whitefish was scrappy beneath the basket and moved the ball decently, but the girls posted only eight second-half points as the Wildkats cruised to a 62-24 win.

It was the team's ninth consecutive loss and third conference loss. They are three games back of first-place Polson in the conference standings.

"We're starting to do some things better," coach Sean Duff said. "But then we're not doing the other things. We have to try to do a decent job in all categories and a win will come."

Nine Bulldogs scored in the game against Bigfork, led by nine points from Shelby Backer and seven points from Danielle McCully.

"We have got to have that balance," Duff said. "If we can get most of our players to score five to six points consistently, that's what we need."

Second-chance points from Bigfork doomed the Lady Bulldogs, and according to Duff, that is a byproduct of poor rebounding and not boxing out.

"That hurt us," he said. "Our defense has been all right, we just didn't box out."

Columbia Falls posed a different problem for Whitefish. With the Dewitt sisters towering over the low post, the Lady Bulldogs' scoring chances were limited to long jump shots, and rebounding was a challenge.

Kayla Dewitt is averaging 18 points per game, while Kelsey is averaging 13. Between the two, they snag about 24 rebounds per game.

"The DeWitts are talented kids," Duff said. "They aren't just tall. They have worked hard and have done their stuff in the off-season.

"We didn't play well against Columbia Falls. Give them all the credit. They're quick and athletic. We don't match up with them very well."

Duff said he had a heart-to-heart with the team after the loss to Columbia Falls.

"I asked if anyone wants to turn it in," Duff said. "This is a defining moment of our season. I said, 'Do you want to work or turn it in.' They all looked at me and said, 'Absolutely not.' If anything, they're mad. They're tired of losing."

The Lady 'Dogs will try to snap their losing streak against Class AA Flathead at home on Jan. 22.