Cats go 2-1 for the week, face Frenchtown Saturday

The Columbia Falls boys basketball team won two and lost one this past week.

The Wildcats flattened Flathead 70-45 on Dec. 11 at home but lost to Dillon at the Northwest-Southwest Tip-Off tournament in Missoula the next day, 64-57. The Cats bounced back Saturday to beat Stevensville 75-57.

The Dillon game was a rematch of last year’s state Class A championship game, which the Cats won. This time, the Cats couldn’t overcome a big second quarter by the Beavers, as they were outscored 17-5.

The Cats cut the lead to four in the fourth quarter, but that was as close as it would get.

Against Class AA Flathead, the Cats had a big second half, outscoring the Braves 21-9 in the third quarter and 19-11 in the fourth in the blowout.

The Cats had a big quarter against Stevensville as well, outscoring the Yellowjackets 24-11 to take a commanding 39-23 lead at the break.

Ty Morgan led the Cats in all three games, with 16 against Flathead, 19 against Dillon and 20 against Stevensville.

But the Cats didn’t share the ball well against Dillon and committed too many turnovers, coach Cary Finberg said.

“We’re very streaky right now,” he said.

At one point in the Dillon game he benched the varsity starters and played the junior varsity squad. The JV squad kept the game even and it woke the varsity players up when they came back in, but they weren’t able to complete the comeback.

The Cats have their first conference game of the season at home Saturday night against Frenchtown. Game time is 4 p.m. Hall of Fame inductees will be recognized that evening.

The Wildcats are now 3-1 on the season. Frenchtown is a key game, Finberg said.

“We have to regroup and get off a good start in the conference,” Finberg said.

Flathead 12 13 9 11 — 45

Columbia Falls 18 12 21 19 — 70

FLATHEAD — Matt Marshall 1 0-0 2, Alex Croymans 3 0-0 8, Bridger Johnson 1 0-0 2, Tyler Johnson 7 1-1 18, Keaton Krantz 2 0-0 4, Blake Wilson 3 1-2 8, Micah Bucy 0 1-2 1, Trae Habel 1 0-0 2. Totals: 18 3-7 45.

C FALLS — Trevor Houston 3 2-2 10, Glenn Morden 0 0-2 0, Grant Stenger 4 1-6 9, Jayce Fagerland 4 0-0 9, Tyler Murphy 3 2-2 8, Ty Morgan 6 2-3 16, DJ Schrade 0 1-2 1, Grant Wallace 6 3-4 15, Will Johnson 1 0-1 2. Totals: 27 11-22 70.

Dillon 10 17 20 17 – 64

Columbia Falls 17 5 13 22 — 57

DILLON – Tyler Jory 12, Trae Williams 6, JD Ferris 10, Parker Love 5, Nate Simkins 5, Justin Ferris 13, Troy Andersen 3, Jason Ferris 2, Travis Ackerson 8.

C FALLS – Glenn Morden 7, Grant Stenger 9, Jayce Fagerland 4, Tyler Murphy 3, Ty Morgan 19, Grant Wallace 14, Will Johnson 1.

Stevensville 12 11 13 16 — 52

Columbia Falls 15 24 19 17 — 75

STEVENSVILLE — Jace Omlid 10, James Fry 9, Jake Finley 2, Jordan Thomas 3, Carson Katen 9, Bryce Torrey 19.

C FALLS — Nathan Riley 3, Trevor Houston 2, Glenn Morden 6, Jayce Fagerland 14, Tyler Murphy 2, Ty Morgan 20, DJ Schrade 2, Grant Wallace 16, Will Johnson 4, Logan Williams 6.