Cats edge Corvallis in home opener

It wasn’t pretty, but it was nice to open the season with a win.

The Columbia Falls boys basketball team battled back from a 21-10 early deficit to beat Corvallis at home 48-47 Saturday. The Wildcats were led by Logan Stephens with 13, but were sparked in the second half by Mason Tucker, who had eight points off the bench.

The Cats had a tough time finding the basket early, as the shots just wouldn’t drop.

But they battled back late in the second to cut a 10-point Blue Devil lead to 26-21 at the break.

In the third quarter Dakota Bridwell hit some early shots in as the Cats moved the ball much better on offense.

Tucker hit some key baseline shots to give the Cats the lead for good and got the crowd into the game.

Late in the fourth Corvallis hit a trey to make it 48-47 with just a few seconds left on the clock. The Blue Devils got the ball back, but the shot was off the mark and the Cats came away with the victory.

Coach Chris Finberg noted it was nice to get the win, but the boys have some work to do. They were out-rebounded offensively 11 to 5.

“That’s something we have to work on,” he said.

He also said they need to space the floor better.

The boys are on the road this week at the Northwest-Southwest A tip-off tourney.

They face Butte Central at 1:45 p.m. Friday and Hamilton at 2:30 p.m. Saturday at Adams Center on the University of Montana campus.

Finberg said opponents made it to state last year and return their top players.

“It will be a good test for us,” he said.

Corvallis 10 16 10 11 — 47

Columbia Falls 6 15 16 11 — 48

CORVALLIS—Ridge Albright 12, Logan Roth 9, Justin Catanach 7, Laing Liedle 2, Kobe Jessop 4, Tylor Nixon 5, Zach Jessop 5, Kolton Mahon 2, Garrett Brown 1.

COLUMBIA FALLS— Austin Green 6, Logan Stephens 13, Quintin Schriver 3, Bryce Fagerland 3, Steven DeCamp 2, Dakota Bridwell 6, Matthew Morrison 4, Mason Tucker 8, DJ Schrade 3.