Wildkats extend winning streak to seven
<p>Wildkats Winter Kemppainen, left, and Kiara Burlage reach for a rebound against Eureka.</p>
For a while there, it looked like the Libby Lady Loggers might make a game of it against Columbia Falls last week. But coach Cary Finberg took a quick time out about halfway through the first quarter and gave the Wildkats an earful.
The Kats responded, playing the defense they’re capable of and rolling over the Lady Loggers 61-20 on Jan. 3 at home. After Libby scored 11 points in the first quarter, the Kats held them to just nine points for the rest of the game. The girls shot 6 for 14 from the three-point arc, 54 percent for the game and 81 percent from the line.
Against Eureka the night before at home, the Kats crushed the Lady Lions 74-33. Senior Ciera Finberg led the team in scoring with 17 against Eureka and 14 against Libby. Her younger sister Cydney had 16 against the Lady Lions and 13 against Libby. Ciera also had five steals. Ellie Johnson had 10 assists. The Kats put up 68 shots against Eureka.
The Kats had 10 players in the scoring column in each game, as coach Finberg emptied the bench.
The Kats have turned the corner defensively and offensively since the played Frenchtown just before Christmas break. They’re shooting well and using their speed and length to harass opponents on defense.
“They’re playing well on both ends of the floor,” Finberg said.
The Wildkats have the best record in Class A at the moment with a perfect 7-0. They face Bigfork at home on Thursday night and Polson on Saturday.
Bigfork should be a good test, Finberg said. They have some size and they’re good at keeping games close.
Eureka 12 9 6 6 — 33
Columbia Falls 24 28 12 10 — 74
EUREKA — Charity Parsons 4, Courtney Lemer 4, Nichole Anderson 2, Rachel Peck 4, Amanda Peterson 8, Shay Cooper 8, Ann Thier 2, Liz Pacella 1, Caty Gonderio 1.
COLUMBIA FALLS — Summer Burlage 6, Ciera Finberg 17, Sydney Grilley 2, Cydney Finberg 16, Ellie Johnson 10, Peyton Kehr 4, Winter Kemppainen 10, Miranda Livingston 2, Kiara Burlage 5, Allyson Gimbel 2.
Libby 11 4 3 2 — 20
Columbia Falls 13 20 16 12 — 61
LIBBY — Hailey Craig 7, Shyla Stevenson 1, Hailley Moe 2, Devon Gallagaher 7, Dayln Germany 3.
COLUMBIA FALLS — Ciera Finberg 14, Syndey Grilley 4, Cyndey Finberg 13, Ellie Johnson 2, Peyton Kehr 8, Winter Kemppainen 2, Miranda Livingston 2, Summer Burlage 9, Allyson Gimbel 5, Syndey Hovde 2.