Cats get second win of the year as they drop rival Bulldogs

It’s always nice to get a win. It’s even better against the Bulldogs.

The Columbia Falls boys basketball shook off a first quarter deficit, then some shaky play in the third to beat the rival Whitefish Bulldogs on the road last Thursday, 54-42.

The Cats were led by senior Logan Stephens with 18.

The Bulldogs led 17-11 after the first quarter, but the Cats went on a 19-0 run and held the Bulldogs to just three points in the second quarter. The third was a bit shaky for the Cats when Matt Morrison got a technical foul after exchanging words with a Bulldog. Morrison leads the Cats in rebounding, but he needs to show more self control.

Fortunately, the Cats ratcheted down their defense to hold off a Bulldog rally.

The Cats then scored 16 in the fourth to seal the win.

The boys are now 2-7 overall.

“We needed a win in the worst way,” said coach Chris Finberg. “The kids stepped up and played well.”

Finberg was pleased with the defensive effort, noting that offense can come and go, but defense needs to be a constant in order to be successful.

The Cats were also battling illness.

“It was good to see a few of our guys getting better with sickness,” Finberg noted.

The Cats will have a tough go of it this week, as they face Glacier at home Thursday, then Sentinel on the road Friday and Frenchtown at home Saturday. A win against Frenchtown would even their conference record to 2-2.

Columbia Falls 11 19 8 16 — 54

Whitefish 17 3 8 14 — 42

COLUMBIA FALLS — Austin Green 8, Logan Stephens 18, Quintin Schriver 5, Dakota Bridwell 9, Matt Morrison 9, DJ Schrade 5.

WHITEFISH — Derek Kastella 17, Murphy Wick 2, Sawyer Silliker 5, Ryan Kemm 2, Lee Walburn 16.