Dogs hold off Libby for conference win

The Whitefish boys basketball team opened Northwestern A conference play Saturday with an impressive 55-46 victory at Libby.

The win sends Whitefish into the holiday break with a shot of momentum before the conference schedule heats up in January.

Keaton Nicholson put in 14 points and AJ Wetsch added 12 to lead the way offensively.

Whitefish (2-3 overall, 1-0 conference) led 28-22 at halftime and extended its lead to 44-28 with a big third quarter. The Dogs tough zone defense held Libby sharpshooter Jared Winslow to just 14 points.

On Friday, Class AA Glacier High School unloaded nine 3-pointers to blow past Whitefish 65-45 in a nonconference game.

Despite the lopsided score, Whitefish coach Mark Casazza was proud of his team’s effort.

“They played hard, they battled,” Casazza said. “Glacier every year, year-in year-out, is one of the best teams in the state. They shoot the ball extremely well. Every night. They rebound really well.

The coach noted Whitefish big man Garrett Anderson’s production in the paint.

Anderson finished with eight points and nine boards.

Wfish 12 16 16 11 — 55

Libby 9 13 6 18 — 46

WHITEFISH — Keaton Nicholson 14, AJ Wetsch 12, Garrett Anderson 9, Hugh Ramlow 8, EJ Havens 5, Alex Wilson 4, Cody Olson 3. Totals: 23 7-15 55.

LIBBY — Jared Winslow 14, Michael Curtiss 14, Collin Johnson 12, Jonny Cielak 4, Erik Lauer 2. Totals: 16 11-20 46.

Glacier 19 17 21 8 — 65

Whitefish 10 18 10 7 — 45

GLACIER — Evan Epperly 7-16 0-1 15, Bryan Michaels 6-14 3-5 18, Kyler Harkins 5-13 0-2 13, Tanner Olsen 1-6 3-4 5, Jaxen Hashley 1-5 0-0 2, Greg Jones 2-4 0-0 6, Cain Boschee 1-4 1-2 3, Tucker Rauthe 0-2 1-4 1, Truman Pisk 1-2 0-0 2. Totals 24-66 8-18 65.

WHITEFISH — Keaton Nicholson 3-11 2-2 10, AJ Wetsch 3-9 3-3 10, EJ Havens 1-8 3-3 6, Hugh Ramlow 0-4 2-2 2, Garrett Anderson 2-5 4-6 8, Cody Olson 0-0 4-4 4, Luke May 1-1 0-0 3. Totals: 11-39 18-20 45.