Kats drop a pair to Bigfork, Polson

The Columbia Falls girls basketball team showed improvement last week, but they still couldn't get a game in the win column.

The Wildkats lost to Bigfork 51-38 away on Jan. 5 and then dropped an overtime heartbreaker 59-57 to conference-rival Polson on Jan. 7.

Hope Burlage and Haley Belgarde led the girls against the Vals with 12 points apiece. After a slow start, the Kats played a better second half, but it wasn't enough to close Bigfork's 14-point halftime lead.

Against the Lady Pirates, the Kats led at the half 23-22 but could muster just four points in the third quarter. It looked like the young team would lose another game by double digits. But Kats battled back with 23 points in the fourth quarter.

Polson's Anna DiGiallonardo hit a field goal as time expired in the fourth to send it to overtime. Ciera Finberg had a three-pointer as time expired to win it, but the shot didn't fall. Burlage led the Kats against Polson with 18 points. Belgarde chipped in 10.

Coach Cary Finberg liked the girls' effort.

"They battled back and gave themselves a chance to win," he said. "It's a step in the right direction."

The team is playing much better basketball than they were earlier in the season. As they progress, they could be dangerous come tournament time. They need to rebound better. Polson outrebounded the Kats 46-36.

The Kats (1-6) face Glacier High School away at 6 p.m. Friday and Whitefish at home at 4 p.m. Saturday.

Columbia Falls 5 6 14 13 - 38

Bigfork 14 11 13 13 - 51

COLUMBIA FALLS - Ciera Finberg 2, Hope Burlage 12, Madison Sandefer 5, Cortney White 5, Andrea Getts 2, Haley Belgarde 12.

BIGFORK - Miranda Miller 3, McKinze Schultz 5, Shelby Scoggins 6, Taylor Peck 13, Melissa VanDerveer 16, Tessa Robertson 8.

Polson 9 13 16 12 9 - 59

Columbia Falls 12 11 4 23 7 - 57

POLSON - Mackenzie Banner 5, Macall Banner 4, Mariah Hamel 10, Anna DiGiallonardo 6, Riley Kenney 31, Heidi Rausch 3.

COLUMBIA FALLS - Ciera Finberg 4, Tori Price 6, Kathryn Jetty 2, Hope Burlage 18, Madison Sandefer 7, Courtney White 5, Andrea Getts 5, Haley Belgarde 10.