Girls have some big holes to fill, but still look solid

Girls will have five non-conference games for a tune up

The girls of the Columbia Falls basketball team have some big shoes to fill this year. Their coach is pleased with the way they're stepping up, however.

Gone are Katie Nolan and Sarah Hislop. Hislop graduated and Nolan moved away.

Both were two of the Kats' top players last year.

But now coach Kris Salonen sees the rest of the team coming to practice with a good basketball attitude.

"They're like, 'I'd better learn how to dribble and play defense and play basketball.' I think everyone has that good attitude," said Salonen.

The team anchor this year will be Bekah Stoltz, who had a good season last year and is expected to have an even better this year. Stoltz can pour on the points and play defense, and the Kats will need her to do both.

They've also got a healthy Kim Pearce this year, who didn't see much playing time as a junior because of an injury.

"She's in tremendous shape from soccer," Salonen said.

The team rounds out with Jenna Toole, Lindsay Johnson, Danelle Herman, Callie Spencer, Beth Karper, Jessica Boyer and Jessica Davis. Kate Marcille will also likely see some playing time, but she has to heal up from a volleyball injury first.

Who will start?

"I don't know, honest to God," Salonen said. A lot will depend on the opponent, she said. "We're going to have a lot of numbers between JV and varsity."

The Kats have time to work out the kinks. They play five non-conference games to begin the season. First game is Dec. 5, when they travel to Cut Bank.

The girls won't have a home game until Dec. 17, when they play Flathead here.

"Our division is just going to be a strong, tough division," she said.

Like the boys, the girls will have to do well at the divisional tourney. Only two will go, and if you haven't beaten the third-place team, then there's a challenge game the Monday night after the tourney.

Last year, the Kats were 11-3 in conference and 13-5 overall. They took second in the divisional tourney and they went 1-2 at state. Assistant coaches are Sherry Peterson and Tashia Howell.