Boys suffer a couple of tough losses against Broncs, Braves
The Columbia Falls boys basketball team is hanging in games this year, but the Ws are proving to be elusive.
The Wildcats dropped a conference game against Frenchtown on the road Thursday 52-47 and then lost to AA Flathead 55-45 in a game that was just a two-point spread in the third quarter.
Logan Stephens led the team against Frenchtown with 10, while Dakota Bridwell had 11 and Austin Green had 10 against the Braves.
Coach Chris Finberg is pleased with the effort the players are giving him.
“The six guys that are playing are starting to figure out how to play offense and defense together,” he said. “We’ve got to grind out each shot and be patient.”
Against Frenchtown, the Cats were down by just seven at the break and tried some defensive sets that didn’t pan out in the second half.
They’ve got to improve their rebounding. Flathead out-rebounded them by about 18, Finberg noted.
The squad lost three players — Mason Tucker and Steven DeCamp for violating school policy and Bryce Fagerland apparently quit.
Now the team really only has six players — Quintin Schriver comes off the bench.
The Cats face Bigfork at home Thursday, game time is 7:15 p.m. Sydney Grilley and Ellie Johnson will be inducted into the high school hall of fame at halftime. The boys are now 1-4 on the season.
Columbia Falls 9 9 14 13 — 45
Flathead 6 17 11 21 — 55
COLUMBIA FALLS — Austin Green 4 1-2 10, Logan Stephens 4 0-0 9, Quintin Schriver 0-3 0-2 0, Dakota Bridwell 2 7-12 11, Matthew Morrison 3 1-4 7, DJ Schrade 3 0-0 8. Totals: 16 9-20 45.
FLATHEAD — Cade White 6 0-0 12, Cooper Barrett 2 1-2 6, Wyatt Potter 3 0-0 7, Bridger Johnson 3 1--3 7, Eric Seaman 0 1-2 1, Tyler Johnson 2 6-7 10, Sam Elliott 4 4-6 12. Totals: 20 13-20 55.
3-point goals—CF 4-16 (Schrade 2-5, Green 1-2, Stephens 1-7, Schriver 0-1, Bridwell 0-1), Flathead 2-16 (Barrett 1-4, Potter 1-6, Johnson 0-5, Seaman 0-1).
C. Falls 5 10 7 15 – 37
Frenchtown 10 12 12 18 – 52
COLUMBIA FALLS – Austin Green 4, Logan Stephens 10, Quintin Schriver 2, Dakota Bridwell 8, Matthew Morrison 9, DJ Schrade 4.
FRENCHTOWN – Ethan Pyron 9, Jacob Price 9, Brock Rugg 2, Cade Baker 9, Adam Botkin 14, Hank Rugg 3, Austin Means 6.