Burlage shines as girls split the bill

The Columbia Falls girls basketball team still salvaged a split last week, even though one of their best players was out with the flu.

The Wildkats beat Thompson Falls 45-32 last Thursday, but fell short against Missoula Big Sky Saturday 54-34.

Senior Kayla DeWit missed both games because of illness, said coach Dan Fairbank.

But the team found a little hope — as in Hope Burlage. The sophomore forward stepped up big for the Wildkats, with 21 points and 20 rebounds against Class B Thompson Falls. Jonna Werner also had a solid game with 10 points and seven rebounds.

“I was very happy,” Fairbank said. “We beat a good Thompson Falls team.”

Burlage also had a very good game against Big Sky, with 16 points and eight rebounds.

“She’s playing better and better,” Fairbank said.

The Kats (5-7, 3-0) face conference rivals Libby away Thursday night and then are home against Polson Saturday.

The goal is to win both and take first in the conference. DeWit has recovered and should return to action, Fairbank said.

Against Libby, Fairbank said the team needs to take care of the ball and handle Libby’s pressure defense.

Against Polson, they’ll need to put the wraps on Breanne Kelly and Riley Kenney. Kenney is a focus point.

“We have to keep her off the boards,” Fairbank said. The game starts at 6 p.m.

Columbia Falls 16 16 4 9 - 45

Thompson Falls 8 12 4 8 - 32

COLUMBIA FALLS - Kayla Stratton 2, Allie Lampman 5, Hope Burlage 21, Jonna Werner 12, Erin Hill 2, Shaun Rowe 3.

THOMPSON FALLS - Kelsey Fitchett 13, Makayla Becker 9, Allison Vaught 6, Hope Reid 4.

Columbia Falls 9 10 8 7 — 34

Big Sky 10 15 6 13 54

COLUMBIA FALLS — Dani Gilley 4, Hope Burlage, 16, Jonna Werner 8, Cedar Jordt, 2, Madison Sandefer, 2, Shaun Rowe, 2

BIG SKY — Kristen Daugherty, 13 Emily Griffith, 4, Lauryn Drnbrouski, 4, Elle Tinkle, 18, Dani Sheridan, 8, Kelsey Donnelly, 2, Dani Baker, 2, Mackensie Freeman, 2, Jenna Sedgwick, 1.