Girls team is young, athletic

Of the 28 girls in the Columbia Falls basketball program, 17 are freshmen. Can you say youth?

Young or not, coach Cary Finberg says the team will be fun to watch, even if it is a little green when the season begins.

Finberg is coaching both the boys and girls basketball programs this season, but the girls program clearly needs the most work as they learn an entirely different system of play that utilizes athleticism, speed and the press.

"We'll bring the same system and philosophy that we do with the boys to the girls' game," Finberg said. "Everything we do will be brand new."

Having said that, Finberg noted that many of the girls had an excellent off-season. Look for good things from seniors Cortney White and Madison Sandefer. The team will also return junior Hope Burlage, who was a key player on last year's squad.

"They're competitive and scrappy," he said. "I really like how they worked in the off season."

The girls will open the season against Hamilton on Dec. 9 and then face Stevensville the following day in the Western A Tip-Off tournament.

The Hamilton game will be in Whitefish at noon, and the Stevensville game will be at home at 7 p.m.

Finberg said he's looking forward to the challenge of coaching both programs.

"I love being in the gym," he said. "I love working with the kids ... these girls should be exciting to watch."

Outside the tip-off tournament, the girls' season schedule mirrors the boys. Four games have a conflicting schedule, and Finberg said he'd decide which team to coach when the time comes.

Finberg is assisted by Jim Peacock, who will coach the freshmen team, and sister Cathy Finberg, who will coach the junior varsity team.