Boys look sharp as hoops season kicks off
Jace Hill takes a shot during practice recently.
The Columbia Falls boys basketball team has something it hasn’t had in years — depth.
With all of its key and talented players returning from last season when it made it to the state tourney, the Wildcats should be even better this season.
The Wildcats have eight seniors including starters from last season Jace Hill, Mark Robison, Alihn Anderson and Cody Schweikert. They’ll also look for good things from seniors Dayne Tu and Chance Miller and later in the season, Hunter Goodman and junior Reggie Sapa. Sapa and Goodman are recovering from injuries suffered during the football season.
Off the bench, junior Silas Ypma looks sharp as does Easton Brooks.
“It’s nice we have the depth,” Finberg, now in his eighth year, said. “We’ll be tested early this season.”
The 6-2 guard Hill led the team in scoring with 14 points per game and over 7 assists per game. He also led the team in rebounds, with 5.7 per game.
The Wildcats have a tough schedule right out of the gate as they faced Hamilton on the road Tuesday after presstime and then travel to Frenchtown Dec. 8-9 where the face Dillon and Class B Loyola.
They travel to Lewistown the following week for an east-west tourney where they’ll square off against Glendive and host Lewistown.
“Every team we play (early in the season) was at the state tourney last year,” Finberg noted. “It will be a good challenge for our guys.”
Finberg is assisted by Mike Dyon, and Austin Barth along with volunteer assistants Mike Pedersen and Alex Presnell.
Presnell was the point guard on the Wildcats last championship team. Mike Dyon coaches JV and Barth the froshmores. William Dyon is also helping Barth with the froshmores.