Boys split at Frenchtown tourney as well
Easton Brooks goes in for a layup during the Frenchtown Tipoff tournament. Seth Anderson Photo.
They had a tough time against Missoula Loyola Sacred Heart, but bounced back against Butte Central.
That’s how last weekend went for the Columbia Falls boys basketball team at the Western A tip-off tournament on Friday and Saturday in Frenchtown.
The Wildcats opened with a 64-45 loss to Loyola, but beat Butte 74-65 on Saturday.
Against the Maroons, Cooper Ross had 19 points, while Reggie Sapa had 16 and Easton Brooks had 12.
Against Loyola, the Rams went up 35-21 by the break and never looked back. Brooks led the scoring with 17. Bjorn Pedersen had 10 off the bench.
Coach Chris Finberg noted that the Loyola game was the first game the team had played together as a varsity squad, while Loyola was four games into their season and had played together for years.
Still, he said the Cats didn’t help themselves much, they had 18 turnovers.
He was pleased to see the team respond on Saturday against Central. The bench played well, as Ross had four treys and was golden from the line and Sapa added 11 boards to his points total.
The Cats face Hardin and Miles City in Lewistown this Friday and Saturday. Their first home game comes Jan. 11 against Hamilton.