Wildkats end losing skid, beat Whitefish
Hungry Horse News
The bus for the Columbia Falls girls basketball team was full of cheers and applause as coach Kris Salonen and several starters got on board Tuesday night.
It was the sound of a team elated with ending a five-game losing streak by pulling off a last-minute rally against rival Whitefish.
Columbia Falls (8-7, 3-4) overcame a four-point deficit in the last minute to win 63-62 and beat Whitefish for the second time this season. It was the Wildkats' first victory in the Bulldogs' gym in Salonen's four years as coach.
"It's awesome," Salonen said. "I'm really proud of the girls."
The win was especially sweet for the Wildkats since they were coming off a dismal 35-27 loss at Libby Friday.
"I said to our team before the game, 'We know how it feels to lose. Now we need to know how it feels to win,'" senior Danielle Herman said. "And we do."
Senior Jenna Toole was a force in the paint. She recorded a team-high 17 points.
Columbia Falls led Whitefish for much of the game and had a 56-50 lead with about 3:30 remaining. Whitefish then went on a 12-2 run to pull ahead 62-58.
Senior Kim Pearce then got wide open and connected on a three-pointer to put the Wildkats within one with a minute left. Pearce finished with 15 points.
Whitefish then missed two free throws.
In Columbia Falls' next possession, Herman got the ball within 10 feet of the basket, drawing a couple defenders. In the play of the game, Herman dumped the ball to Spencer as she streaked to the far side of the basket. Spencer made an easy layup.
"It's weird, because we call it 'the connection'-Callie and I," Herman said.
Columbia Falls senior Bekah Stoltz then got a key block on defense. Stoltz played well, tallying 13 rebounds and 10 points.
The Bulldogs didn't score in their final two possessions, and Columbia Falls had a much needed victory.
On Friday, the Wildkats scored a meager three points in the fourth quarter as Libby pulled ahead for the win.
Columbia Falls' offense was almost nonexistent. Only four Wildkats scored.
Pearce led the team with 14 points. Spencer added nine points.
The junior varsity squad lost to Whitefish 32-30, but it beat Flathead 33-27 Monday and beat Libby 32-31 Friday.
The freshmen lost to Bigfork 48-41, beat Flathead 42-39 and beat Libby 45-26.
Columbia Falls plays next in Polson on Saturday at 6:30 p.m.
Columbia Falls 63, Whitefish 62
Columbia Falls 20 16 11 16 63
Whitefish 18 16 9 19 62
Libby 35, Columbia Falls 27
Columbia Falls 6 9 9 3 27
Libby 10 8 7 10 35