Kastella drops 20 as Dogs blast Lions

Derek Kastella poured in 20 points Friday as Whitefish buried Eureka 74-44 at home in the basketball season-opener.

The Bulldogs jumped out to a 43-13 halftime advantage to put the game away early.

Kastella was an efficient 7 of 13 shooting and went 5 for 6 from the free throw line. The junior also had four rebounds and an assist.

Juniors Janson Anderson and Sawyer Silliker added to the scoring with 13 and 12 points, respectively. All totaled, 11 players scored for Whitefish in the victory.

This season brings a new look to the Dogs with two returning from last season’s roster — Kastella and senior Luke May.

Second-year coach Curtis Green says he’s got a nice mix of talent to work with. Three seniors, six juniors, two sophomores and four freshman round out the roster.

“We’re quick and athletic this year,” Green said of his guard-heavy roster.

Look for the Dogs to press with half-court traps on defense, and attack the basket on offense.

“We want to focus on getting to the basket and not settle for jump shots,” Green said. “We’re strong at the guard. Once teams collapse on us, we can kick it out.”

Kastella should be a scoring threat all season, Green said.

“Derek put in a lot of time in the off-season working on improving his jump shot,” Green said. “We’re looking to him to step up for us.”

Post presence will come from 6-4 freshman Dillon Botner, Zander Wold and Matt Brewer.

Green liked his team’s aggressive play in the opener against Eureka.

“I thought we played well,” he said. “There are still areas to improve, but the intensity and hustle were there.”

Whitefish finished last season 9-12 overall and missed the State A tournament with a fourth-place finish at the Northwest A divisional tournament.

Green said he’s still feeling out his roster and won’t know what they’re capable of until deeper in the schedule.

“With so many new kids, we’re trying to find our identity and where everyone fits in,” Green said.

Whitefish plays this weekend in the Northwest/Southwest Tip Off tourney in Missoula at the Adams Center on the University of Montana campus.

Whitefish 22 21 17 14 - 74

Eureka 6 7 16 15 - 44

Whitefish — Derek Kastella 20, Janson Anderson 13, Sawyer Silliker 12, Ryan Kemm 7, Lee Walburn 6, James Sampson 4, Alex Keuylian 4, Dillon Botner 4, Max Smyley 2, Matt Brewer 1, Zander Wold 1.

Eureka — Moe Henderson 18, Brad Stien 11, Sam Hanny 8, Dawson Henrie 4, Jake Cardinale 2, Jamie Good 1.