Kats hammer Butte Central at Tip-Off tourney

Butte Central’s winning streak is over.

The Columbia Falls girls basketball team dropped the Lady Maroons in convincing fashion Friday at the Northwest-Southwest A Tip-Off tournament Friday in Missoula, 67-47.

Butte was 24-0 dating back to last season.

But Columbia Falls took an early 18-11 lead and outscored Butte 20-12 in the fourth to win by 20. The Kats had four players in double figures in the win. Dani Douglas had 16, Cydney Finberg 15, Peyton Kehr had 12 and Kiara Burlage had 16.

Butte beat the Wildkats in the state A championship last year and had three all-state returning players on their squad.

“We came out and played with a lot of confidence early,” coach Cary Finberg said. “I like how they’re sharing the ball and rebounding this early in the season.”

In addition to their points, Cydney had eight assists and Burlage had 14 rebounds.

He said even when the Maroons made a run, the Kats kept their composure.

“They didn’t fold and stayed aggressive,” he said. “Our bench gave us some big contributions.”

On Saturday the girls dropped Hamilton 60-46.

Kiara Burlage led the squad with 24 points. Kehr had 12.

Finberg said the girls had a bit of a letdown after the Central win, but not much. The bench played well again, he noted.

“We didn’t defend as well in the first half,” he said. “But the kids picked it up when they needed to. Kiara competed hard.”

The Kats have some work to do, Finberg said. They need to reduce the number of turnovers, take care of the ball better.

The girls face Frenchtown at home Thursday. Game time is 7. The Lady Broncs also beat Butte in the Tip-Off tourney, so it should be a good conference battle.

The Kats are on the road at Flathead Saturday. Game time is 6 p.m.

Both teams are improved over last year and should be two more good tests.

“Our schedule is better than it has been past years,” he said.

Hamilton 13 12 8 13 – 46

C. Falls 16 13 16 15 – 60

HAMILTON – Tessa Della Silva 6, Tristy Searle 6, Kara Nye 6, Mallory McGill 11, Reilly Rostad 7, Rachael Ringer 2, Lauren Ryter 8.

COLUMBIA FALLS – Dani Douglas 8, Cydney Finberg 9, Peyton Kehr 12, Ryley Kehr 3, Kiara Burlage 24, Trista Cowan 2, Sydney Hovde 2.

Columbia Falls 18 18 11 20 — 67

Butte Central 11 10 14 12 — 47

Fouls — Columbia Falls 8, Butte Central 9. Fouled out — none. Technicals — none.

COLUMBIA FALLS — Dani Douglas 16, Cydney Finberg 15, Payton Kehr 12, Kiara Burlage 16, Sydney Hovde 6, Hannah Gedlaman 2.

BUTTE CENTRAL — Kloie Thatcher 2, Mollie Poeples 27, Emily St. John 16, Tricia Joyce 0, Caleigh Mullaney 0, Olivia Bolton 2.