Wildkats blow out Yellowjackets 67-30 in season opener Saturday

The Wildkats opened the basketball season with a lopsided road win Saturday as they defeated the Yellowjackets in Stevenville, 67-70.

Led by Trista Cowan’s 19 points and nine rebounds, the girls used physical play and defense to build a 15-4 lead after one quarter of play.

“We were aggressive from the start and we set the tone physically, like we wanted to,” head coach Cary Finberg said. “That’s the style we want to play this year and it got us 11 turnovers in the first quarter.”

The Kats led 28-14 at halftime, but C-Falls used a strong third quarter to add to the its lead.

Cowan scored eight in the third and Josie Windauer added five as the Kats outscored Stevensville 25-10 to take a 53-24 lead into the fourth.

The Kats won the fourth-quarter battle as well, 14-6, as Columbia Falls cruised to the victory.

“Considering we played a lot of younger kids in this game and they played well and with confidence, it was a good way for us to open the season,” Finberg said.

Along with Cowan’s performance, Ryley Kehr was also in double figures scoring with 13 points and added seven rebounds and five assists. Windauer finished with 11 points, seven rebounds and three steals, Madysen Hoerner had 10 rebounds and five points and LaKia Hill had three points, four rebounds, five steals and nine assists.

The Kats will be in Missoula this weekend, taking on Butte Central Friday at 11 a.m. and Frenchtown at 10 a.m. Saturday.