Cats survive Bulldogs' scare

The Columbia Falls boys basketball team kept their unbeaten streak intact at 8-0, but the Whitefish Bulldogs gave the Cats a scare on the road last Saturday.

The Dogs managed to hang with the Cats for 2 1/2 quarters, when they had as much as a five-point lead midway through the third.

But after a slow start, the Cats were able to pour it on, going on a 14-0 run to end the third quarter in a foul-filled affair to win 67-56. The Cats were 29-for-44 from the free throw line. Parker Johnson led the team with 16 points, going 10-for-11 from the charity stripe.

“He’s our player of the week,” said coach Cary Finberg. “He’s playing real well right now. He’s our most consistent player.”

The Cats had four players in double figures. Nick Emerson had 15 points, Austin Barth notched 11 and Kaleb Johnson had 10. Devyn Rocker also had his best weekend of the season, scoring nine. Barth also had six rebounds and three blocks.

The Whitefish game was a good learning experience and showed the team’s character, Finberg noted.

“Not every game is going to be easy,” he said. “Some games you just have to grind it out.”

Against Ronan last Friday, the Cats shot out to a 22-2 lead and never looked back en route to at 74-41 win. The out-sized Chiefs had a tough time breaking the Cats’ trap.

Emerson had 17 and Kaleb Johnson 16 in the win.

The team faces two dangerous squads this week in AA Glacier Thursday and Class B Missoula Loyola Saturday at home.

Both teams beat Columbia Falls last year. Finberg said they need to get back to playing the team defense they played before the Whitefish game. Glacier can shoot the three-pointer and if the Cats don’t tighten their defensive play, the Wolfpack could beat them. Class B or not, Loyola also has an excellent squad that showcases Everett Johnston, a 6-4 guard that averages 27 points and eight rebounds a game.

They’ll have to slow him down, Finberg said.

Game times are 8 p.m. and 6 p.m. respectively.

Columbia Falls 16 8 24 19 - 67

Whitefish 11 12 14 19 - 56

COLUMBIA FALLS - Devyn Rocker 9, Nick Emerson 15, Chris King 4, Cale Vukonich 2, Parker Johnson 16, Austin Barth 11, Kaleb Johnson 10.

WHITEFISH - Mac Roche 7, Kyler Blades 9, Jose Sanchez 5, Gage Vasquez 14, Cooper Olson 11, Drew Galbraith 4, Alex Duroche 6.

Ronan 10 4 15 12 - 41

Col. Falls 26 23 19 6 - 74

RONAN - Jarod Tanner 6, Jackson Jore 3, Marcus Hungerford 6, Lucas Black 9, Justin Dustybull 8, Kevin Wroblewski 3, Marley Tanner 2, Chris Clay 4.

COLUMBIA FALLS - Devyn Rocker 8, Alex Presnell 2, Nick Emerson 17, Cale Vukonich 4, Parker Johnson 4, Brian Marcille 6, Austin Barth 13, Kaleb Johnson 16, Jacob Calderwood 2, Austin Martin 2.