Wildkats have a solid weekend

Hungry Horse News

The Wildkat basketball team's defense was pretty stingy last weekend.

Columbia Falls allowed just 50 points combined in two wins.

"Defensively, the kids are doing a really great job," coach Kris Salonen said. "We're putting on more pressure than I expected."

The Wildkats trounced Stevensville 75-17 Friday in Hamilton and then beat Frenchtown 47-33 Saturday in Corvallis.

Salonen said both opponents were on the weak side. And she is not so sure they'll be able to smother better caliber teams with their pressure.

"I don't think we've truly been tested," Salonen said.

Columbia Falls improved to 3-0, the best start in Salonen's four years as coach. She said it's nice to finally approach Christmas break with the players in positive mindsets. The wins have been a major confidence booster.

But that doesn't mean the Wildkats are bulletproof.

After absolutely dominating Stevensville, Columbia Falls put forth a lackluster effort against Frenchtown. The Wildkats let Frenchtown stay in the game with turnovers and by not doing the little important things, such as boxing out.

"We really played poorly," Salonen said. "We were lucky to come away with a win."

Despite the team's performance in that game, one player Salonen has been especially pleased with is sophomore Callie Spencer. The point guard took over the starting role this year and has been strong on both ends, Salonen said.

Spencer had nine points against Frenchtown and 13 against Stevensville.

"We were trying to find the right fit to go with the seniors, and she has nestled right in," Salonen said.

Coming off the bench, senior Jenna Toole has also been making a solid impact. She scored 10 against Frenchtown and 12 against Stevensville.

Salonen said for the most part her players, especially Toole, have done a fine job of accepting their roles and contributing whatever is needed.

Lots of Wildkats got into the action in the Stevensville blowout. Along with playing quality defense, 11 players scored.

Bekah Stoltz was the leading scorer against Frenchtown with 16 points.

Columbia Falls' flawless record may not last until their break. They have two more games before the holidays. At 8 p.m. Friday, the Wildkats play Flathead at home. Saturday they travel to Hamilton for a 6:30 p.m. game.

Columbia Falls 75, Stevensville 17

Columbia Fallls 21 14 19 19 - 75

Stevensville 6 8 2 1 - 17

Columbia Falls - Callie Spencer 6 1-2 13, Jessica Boyer 1 0-0 2, Amber Lampman 1 0-0 2, Emily Workman 1 1-2 3, Jenna Toole 5 2-2 12, Kim Pearce 2 0-2 4, Lindsay Johnson 2 6-7 8, Beth Karper 2 5-6 9, Jessica Davis 2 1-2 5, Bekah Stoltz 3 1-3 7, Danielle Herman 4 0-2 8. Totals: 29 21-28 75.

Stevensville - Kyla Wasser 1 0-0 2, Angela Christensen 1 0-0 2, Achena Bradshaw 1 2-5 4, Erika Jarvis 2 1-2 5, Jodie Brown 0 1-6 1, Heather Garnite 1 1-2 3. Totals: 6 5-15 17.

3 point goals: None. Team fouls: Columbia Falls 15, Stevensville 20. Fouled out: None.

Columbia Falls 47, Frenchtown 33

Columbia Falls 12 10 11 14 - 47

Frenchtown 7 7 10 9 - 33

Columbia Falls - Callie Spencer 3 3-4 9, Jessica Boyer 0 1-2 1, Jenna Toole 3 4-5 10, Kim Pearce 1 1-3 3, Lindsay Johnson 1 0-0 2, Beth Karper 0 2-4 2, Bekah Stoltz 7 1-2 16, Danielle Herman 1 2-6 4.

Frenchtown - Erin Clark 4 0-2 9, Deni Scheffer 3 3-5 9, Noelle Lebsock 2 0-0 5, Jess Schmid 4 0-0 8, Ashley Belker 1 0-0 2.

3 point goals: Frenchtown 2 (Clark, Lebsock), Columbia Falls 1 (Stoltz); Total fouls: Frenchtown 20, Columbia Falls 18. Fouled out: Scheffer, Schmid.