Cats win big against Chiefs, Dogs

The Columbia Falls boys basketball team knocked off two conference rivals last week, dropping Ronan 61-49 Thursday and Whitefish 58-31 Saturday night.

The Ronan game was closer than the final score would suggest, as the Chiefs speed and press seemed to keep the Cats on their heels in the first half.

The Chiefs kept pace until the Cats pulled away late in the second to take a 32-25 lead on solid shooting by point guard Kyle Howell, who had 22 points and seven rebounds in the game. Austin Barth also played well, knocking down 14 points. Ronan shot the ball well early and hit six three pointers in the game.

Against Whitefish, the Cats played much better defense and held the Bulldogs to just six points in the first half en route to a rout.

Nick Emerson had the hot hand, with 16, including a dunk, followed by Barth with 14 and Howell with 12. Mitchell Wassam chipped in with nine assists.

"We set the tone right from the start," coach Cary Finberg said.

Barth was named player of the week by Finberg. Barth also had 15 rebounds, six blocks and three steals in the two games and shot six for eight in each.

The Cats have some things to work on. They've been shooting poorly from the free throw line as of late and they had 23 turnovers against Ronan.

"Those are the things we're trying to correct," Finberg said.

The Cats were without rebound leader Kaleb Johnson for both games, who injured his hand in the Polson game at home. He was cleared to play on Monday and should be back against the Pirates for the last regular season game of the year Thursday (today) away.

Finberg said they need to come out with a lot of energy and not get behind.

"We can't have a lull," he said.

The JV player of the week was Chris King, who had 14 in a win against Whitefish. Frosh player of the week was Luke Kazlauskas with 13 points in a loss to Ronan.