Girls team is tall, athletic, talented

They know the system. Now they have to execute it. That’s the challenge for the Columbia Falls girls basketball team this season as they look to make another run at a state A playoff berth.

This is the first season where every player knows coach Cary Finberg’s system — and the expectations for this deep squad are high.

“This team kind of mirrors what the boys are doing to a point,” Finberg said.

The Wildkats are anchored by seniors Haley Belgarde and Andrea Getts as well as returning varsity players Winter Kemppainen, Miranda Livingston, Ciera Finberg and Ellie Johnson.

It also adds three freshmen to the varsity squad — Cydney Finberg, Peyton Kehr and Kiara Burlage, all over 5-feet 10-inches tall.

Cydney is Ciera’s younger sister. Coach Finberg said that, like the boys, the Kats will be able to go small or big, depending on the opponent and the game situation.

The freshmen are no strangers to playing with the varsity squad, either. They all played in summer leagues together.

“We’re looking to get up and down and wear teams out,” Finberg said.

He expects to play 10 to 11 different players a night.

“Both (boys and girls) teams are going to be very similar,” he said.

Last year, the Kats went 0-2 at the state Class A tournament, losing both games by close margins. This year, they’ll know what to expect.

“It’s going to be a fun season,” Finberg said.

Finberg is assisted by his sister Cathy, who coaches the junior varsity team, as well as Skip Schroder, Josh Burlage and Zach Levitt. Jim Peacock will return to coach the freshmen squad.

The Wildkats start the season at the Northwest-Southwest A tip-off tournament in Ronan. They open with Anaconda on Friday at noon and then face Hamilton on Saturday at 5 p.m. Hamilton will definitely be a tough game.

“Hamilton will be one of the better teams in the state,” Finberg said.