Lady Dogs show spirit against rival Kats

The Lady Bulldogs had Columbia Falls on their heels Saturday. For two quarters, Whitefish’s girls basketball team simply outhustled the top-rated Wildkats.

The final score, a 55-29 loss, wasn’t what Whitefish was looking for — but in the middle of a winless season, this one felt like a victory.

Whitefish went into the half on a nice run after outscoring the Kats 8-7. Simone Craft rattled home a 3-pointer and Ashlee Brewer scored twice in the post to cut the lead to 11.

The Lady Dogs went toe-to-toe with the Kats in the third.

Brewer opened with another bucket in the post. Columbia Falls coach Cary Finberg was given a technical for arguing with a referee and Craft knocked down two free throws. She came right back and drained a long jumper to cut the lead to eight with 3:45 left in the quarter.

Maura Kalbfleisch hit another jumper and senior Shannon Craft scored a layup at the buzzer to keep the game within reach.

Simone Craft finished with 16 points to lead all scorers. Brewer had good success in the post all night and tallied eight points. Shannon Craft elevated the hustle factor for Whitefish, and seemed to run down every loose ball.

The loss drops Whitefish’s record to 0-3 in the conference and 0-9 overall.

Whitefish next hosts Glacier High School Jan. 17 at 6 p.m.

C. Falls 19 7 12 17 – 55

Whitefish 6 8 11 4 – 29

COLUMBIA FALLS – Summer Burlage 2, Ciera Finberg 8, Tori Price 7, Hope Burlage 12, Andrea Getts 2, Winter Kemppainen 8, Ellie Johnson 2, Haley Belgarde 11, Shannon Hay 2.

WHITEFISH – Ashlee Brewer 8, Simone Craft 16, Maura Kalbfleisch 2, Allie Schulz 1, Shannon Craft 2.