Boys thump Loggers in makeup game

The momentum for Columbia Falls is strong heading into the Western A Divisional tournament. A makeup game against Libby proved that, as the Wildcats notched a 71-29 conference victory on Tuesday, Feb. 13 at home.

“We talked about it all year, getting better and better,” Columbia Falls coach Chris Finberg. “That’s also the way we wanted to play that last game: be better than we were the game before and get momentum.”

Finberg also noted that while not a true senior night, the make-up game provided one last hurrah for the seniors on the squad and that the team played very well to end the regular season on a high note.  

Columbia Falls exploded for 34 points in the first quarter and took a 52-17 lead into halftime. With the game well in hand, scoring was much lower in the second half.

“We were able to get in transition by getting defensive stops,” Finberg said. “That’s where we thrive, moving the ball, getting high percentage shots and if we miss those shots, getting offensive rebounds and converting off them.”  

Mark Robison led the Wildcats with 15 points, while Cody Schweikert added 14. Jace Hill had 12 points while Hunter Goodman was the fourth Wildcat to score in double-digits with 11 points.

Columbia Falls finished the regular season with a 10-2 conference mark, slotting them into second in the standings due to Browning having a higher margin of victory. They’ll face Dillon in their first game of divisionals in Butte this weekend.

Since they didn’t have to play in play-in games, there was still some downtime for Columbia Falls between their make-up game and this weekend. Finberg said the team has been working on just getting better, tightening down and preparing for Dillon.

“We just keep trying to get better, prepare for Dillon and keep the momentum going after winning ten of our last 11 games,” Finberg said. “We just want to keep that rolling and it’s kind of a blessing to have that make-up game so we didn’t have a real-long break.”

At Divisionals, the Northwest Conference will meet the Southwest Conference and Finberg said all four teams the south sent have very good winning percentages.

“We have a feel for them, having lost to Dillon by one and Hamilton by one but beating Frenchtown at home,” Finberg said. “The only thing is we played those teams before Christmas so things will be somewhat different. The Divisional tournament is going to be a battle and all eight teams there are deserving.”

At Libby

COLUMBIA FALLS 71, LIBBY 29

C-Falls - 34 - 18 - 11 - 8 - 71

Libby - 7 - 10 - 7 - 5 - 29

COLUMBIA FALLS SCORING - Mark Robison 15, Cody Schweikert 14, Jace Hill 12, Hunter Goodman 11, Easton Brooks 7, Chance Miller 4, Dane Tu 2, Hunter Hoerner 2, Alihn Anderson 2, Stanley Strimick 2 

    Jace Hill (14) takes a shot for the Wildcats against Polson at home Tuesday, Feb. 13. (Avery Howe photo)
 Avery Howe   

    Cody Schweikert makes two for the Wildcats against Polson Tuesday, Feb. 13. (Avery Howe photo)
 Avery Howe   

    Seniors Cody Schweikert, Mark Robison, Jace Hill, Alihn Anderson and Dayne Tu sub in for the Polson game Tuesday, Feb. 13. (Avery Howe photo)
 Avery Howe