Wildkats roll over Ronan, Whitefish

The Columbia Falls girls basketball team is peaking as the regular season comes to a close. The Wildkats beat Class B Ronan 60-48 at home Feb. 7 and then hammered the hapless Whitefish Lady Bulldogs 67-25 at home Feb. 9.

The Kats held Whitefish to zero points in the first quarter. Haley Belgarde continues to dump in the baskets for the Kats. The junior had 16 against Ronan and Whitefish. She also had 13 rebounds against the Maidens and 16 boards against the Lady Bulldogs.

The girls are feeding the post and spreading the ball around. Ciera Finberg had six assists against Ronan, and Kathrin Jetty had a career high 12 points on six of seven shooting against Whitefish. Winter Kemppainen had 10 points and 10 boards against the Lady Bulldogs. The Kats had just eight turnovers against Whitefish.

“We’re doing a good job of taking acre of the basketball,” coach Cary Finberg said. “We’re making better decisions.”

The Wildkat program has turned around in a huge way from last year, when they had a sub-.500 record. They’re now 14-3 overall and 7-0 in conference play. They’ve wrapped up the conference title and wrap up the regular season against Polson at home on Thursday at 7:30 p.m.

The Kats are ranked No. 1 in the state by Class A. Finberg said the recognition is nice for the girls, but notes that everything resets once the post-season starts — rankings don’t mean much come tournament time. One loss will ruin a season in a hurry.

Getting to the state tournament is the team goal, and they need to continue to execute like they have been the past few weeks to get there.

Ronan    12    14    10    12    —    48

C-Falls    18    16    14    21    —    69

RONAN — Angela Northpiegan 2, Raym Clairmont 7, Ashley Lynch 5, Courtney Clairmont 12, Alana Madsen 4, Courtney Taylor 3, Brylee Crossguns 3, Aspen Jore 12.

COLUMBIA FALLS — Ciera Finberg 8, Tori Price 4, Kathrin Jetty 2, Hope Burlage 12, Andrea Getts 14, Winter Kemppainen 3, Ellie Johnson 6, Ally Gimbel 2, Haley Belgarde 16, Shannon Hay 2.

Whitefish 0 8 12 5 – 25

Col. Falls 19 18 13 17 – 67

WHITEFISH – Melissa Poe 2, Margot Meyers 3, Ashlee Brewer 5, Allie Schulz 6, Maura Kalbfleisch 3, Lauren Cain 2, Shannon Craft 4.

COLUMBIA FALLS – Summer Burlage 2, Ciera Finberg 6, Miranda Livingston 2, Tori Price 5, Kathrin Jetty 12, Hope Burlage 6, Andrea Getts 2, Winter Kemppainen 10, Ellie Johnson 4, Ally Gimbel 2, Haley Belgarde 16.