Cats wallop Bulldogs, lose to Wolfpack

The Columbia Falls basketball team hammered conference rival Whitefish last week, but had a tougher time against Class AA Glacier High School.

The Wildcats lost to the Wolfpack 60-46 on Jan. 13, but they bounced back nicely the next night against the Bulldogs, crushing Whitefish 73-49.

Coach Cary Finberg said the boys came out too tentative against the Glacier High and dug themselves too big a hole. They were down by as many as 16 points in the second half only to cut the Wolfpack lead to two. But Glacier widened the margin back to 14 by the time the game ended. Austin Barth led the Cats with 18 points.

Against the Bulldogs, the Cats were much more aggressive, sharing the ball well and playing excellent team defense.

"When we pass and share the ball well, we turn it over a lot less," Finberg said.

Anthony Correa led the Cats with 21 points. Barth had 11 points and 12 rebounds. Finberg said Barth did an excellent job of passing the ball as well.

Brian Marcille came in and gave the Cats 10 points. Parker Johnson was out sick. Alex Presnell and Luke Kazlauskas also played well, with nine points apiece.

The boys are on the road this week against Frenchtown on Friday and Flathead High School on Saturday.

"We can't overlook Frenchtown," Finberg said.

The Cats will look to avenge an early season loss against their Class AA rival Flathead Braves.

"I think we're playing better than when we first played them," Finberg said.

The Flathead game has a 7:30 p.m. scheduled start.