Bulldogs grab conference win over Loggers

This was a season finale worth tuning into.

Whitefish used vicious defense and steady shooting from the stripe Feb. 18 to hold off a tough Libby team 49-40 at a rowdy Dawg House on senior night. The win capped off the 'Dogs' regular season.

Connor Silliker rose to the occasion and knocked down 16 points and grabbed nine rebounds to lead Whitefish into the divisional tournament on an upnote.

The Bulldogs have won three of their last five and are slated to play Ronan in the first round of the tournament on Thursday (today) at 8 p.m.

"It's a great way to end my career at home," Silliker said after the win. "Libby is a quality opponent and it shows we can compete with anyone in the conference. It gives us lots of confidence going into the divisional tournament."

Bulldog coach Mark Casazza agreed. He said he's been impressed with the team's play the last two weeks and that the wins can be attributed to their defensive intensity.

"We're holding teams to under 50 points," he said.

As was the case against Libby.

Whitefish weathered four 3-pointers from the Loggers in the opening minutes and played solid defense to hold Libby to only two 2-point field goals in the entire half.

Junior Bulldog guard Kyler Blades negated two of those 3-pointers with a pair of his own — one coming in the opening minute of the second period and the other going into the half.

"Blades has been hitting some good shots for us," Casazza said.

In all, five players made their mark on the score sheet in the first half as the 'Dogs took a 23-18 lead into the locker room.

Libby battled back in the third quarter to briefly take a 28-27 lead, but Gage Vasquez nailed a baseline jumper at the end of the period to put Whitefish in front 33-31.

Vasquez owned the final frame as he knocked down 10 points, including a critical layin off a rebound beneath the basket to put Whitefish on top for the remained of the game.

Casazza noted that it was great to get the win on senior night in front of a packed house.

"Austin Green and Connor Silliker have done a great job of keeping the team's focus on the long-term goals this season," he said. "We've had great senior leadership and they keep pushing the other players on the team."

The Bulldog seniors are Austin Green, Cole Havens, Connor Silliker, Willie Roche and Zach Maassen.