Dogs outscore T. Falls in nonconference win
Lee Walburn rises for a layup on a fastbreak during a loss to Columbia Falls Thursday. (Daniel McKay/Whitefish Pilot)
Derek Kastella launches a three against Columbia Falls.
Sawyer Silliker fights through traffic for a layup during a loss to Columbia Falls Thursday. (Daniel McKay/Whitefish Pilot)
The Bulldogs split two games last week, falling to rival Columbia Falls 54-42 before beating Thompson Falls 77-62.
The shots weren’t falling for the Bulldogs in Thursday’s conference opener, and early foul trouble in both halves had the Wildcats at the free throw line for most of the second and fourth quarters. While Whitefish led early on, Columbia Falls outscored the Bulldogs 19-3 in the second quarter to take a 10 point lead at the half. While the Bulldogs made a run to cut that defecit, they couldn’t get enough offensive momentum going.
Derek Kastella led the Dogs in scoring with 17. Lee Walburn added 16 for Whitefish as well. Logan Stephens had 18 points for Columbia Falls.
Whitefish turned things around with a strong win over nonconference opponent Thompson Falls on Saturday.
The Bulldogs dominated the second and fourth quarters of that game at Thompson Falls, outscoring the Blue Hawks 21-13 and 25-15 in those quarters to build up a comfortable lead.
Sawyer Silliker had the hot hand for the Bulldogs, finishing with 26 points while Kastella added 20. Danny Hoisington scored 30 points for Thompson Falls in an impressive offensive display.
Whitefish hosts Eureka on Friday and Polson on Saturday.
Polson is currently ranked second in Northwest A play with 1-1 conference record and an overall record of 5-5. Whitefish sits at fourth place behind Columbia Falls and 5-4 Frenchtown leads with two early conference victories.
Columbia Falls 11 19 8 16 — 54
Whitefish 17 3 8 14 — 42
COLUMBIA FALLS — Austin Green 8, Logan Stephens 18, Quintin Schriver 5, Dakota Bridwell 6, Matt Morrison 12, DJ Schrade 5.
WHITEFISH — Derek Kastella 17, Murphy Wick 2, Sawyer Silliker 5, Ryan Kemm 2, Lee Walburn 16.
Whitefish 15 21 16 25 – 77
Thompson Falls 18 13 16 15 – 62
WHITEFISH – Sawyer Silliker 26, Derek Kastella 20, Lee Walburn 9, Dillon Botner 6, Ryan Kemm 5, Vegard Ellingsen 4, Alex Keuylian 4, Murphy Wick 3.
THOMPSON FALLS – Danny Hoisington 30, Payton Frields 12, McKenzie Holt 7, John Skeel 6, Dylan Beckman 5, Garrett Strine 2.