Girls' hopes end with loss to Ronan in OT

Hungry Horse News

The Columbia Falls girls basketball team gave a last gasp of effort as their season ended Friday.

The Wildkats fought hard as they lost 56-51 in overtime against Ronan and were eliminated from the divisional tournament.

In the first round of the tournament last Wednesday, Columbia Falls lost 47-34 against Libby.

Coach Kris Salonen said she was proud of how her team played against Ronan. She said they showed a desire that they had lacked in many of their games.

Their offense was more efficient and the girls moved the ball better, Salonen said.

"We had a lot of opportunities to get the win," Salonen said. "They played like they wanted it. You've got to play that way every game."

Jenna Toole once again led the team in scoring. She scored 15 points.

"Jenna just had a great consistent season for us," Salonen said. "While we were battling injuries, she stayed focused."

Danielle Herman added 11 points and Callie Spencer had nine.

Columbia Falls was 8-12 this season after starting 7-2. Salonen said they were close in 90 percent of their games, but just couldn't finish strong.

"When you lose and lose it just ruins your confidence and makes it that much harder to win," Salonen said.

The Wildkats finished with nine losses in their last 10 games.

The girls started the tourney with a loss to Libby.

"Libby got a jump on us and knocked us out of the game immediately," Salonen said. "They got every loose ball and every rebound. We just didn't have our hearts in it. It was frustrating."

Toole led the team with 13 points. Stoltz and Spencer each scored six.

With their season on the line, Columbia Falls started much better against Ronan. The Wildkats led 25-19 after the first half.

Columbia Falls even led by eight points at one point.

But Ronan came back and outscored the Wildkats 17-10 in the fourth quarter to tie the game. In overtime Columbia Falls scored just two points as Ronan won by five.

Salonen it was a "good loss" and a positive way to end the season.

"I'm really going to miss the senior class," Salonen said. "They're a neat bunch of kids."