JV boys finish year with 12-4 record

By JOE SOVA / Hungry Horse News

Winning their last five games, the Columbia Falls junior varsity boys basketball team completed a stellar 12-4 season. The Wildcat JV went 8-1 in its last nine contests.

Going into the last six games of the campaign, the Cats were 7-3. They lost to Class AA Big Sky on Jan. 24, but that was the last loss of the season.

The next evening the Cats buried Bigfork, 71-31. In a Feb. 2 game, the JV rolled past Libby, 62-41. Then came a 56-38 victory over Ronan on Feb. 8 and a 60-47 win over Whitefish the next day. The Cats closed the season in style on Feb. 14, topping Polson, 69-59.

Cats JV coach Dan Block said he talked to the team about improving its half-court offense late in the season.

"I thought we did a nice job of that," Block said.

Other goals that were accomplished were cutting down on turnovers, taking care of the basketball and playing consistently for 32 minutes a game.

Block was pleased that the Cats avenged all three losses in the first 10 games with wins over Bigfork, Whitefish and Polson.

"There was an indication that we were improving," Block said. "I thought the kids were working hard in practice."

The coach talked about half-court offense.

"Our press early on carried us. We lived and died by the 3-pointer early in the season," Block said. "We emphasized getting the ball to the post more and sharing the basketball a little more. Getting the ball inside opens up your outside game."

The Cats showed good ball pressure and their rebounding improved later in the season, according to Block.

"Some of our sophomores picked up the pace and were rewarded for their hard work," the coach said.

Freshman Kaleb Johnson was the JV team leader, but suffered a broken hand near the end of the season.

Matt Triplett provided "spark and enthusiasm," Block said, and "was flying around the court making things happen." Kyle Howell stepped up and played well down the stretch. Austin Roberts was steady all season. Michael Williams was the leading scorer until late in the year. Block also had praise for Patric Jessat, Tim Spencer and Tanner Perry.

Block said the goal of the JV team was to help the varsity get to the state tournament via the practice court. The varsity fell short of qualifying, but Block was pleased with the efforts of the JV players.

In speaking of some of the JV players moving up to varsity next year, Block said, "The opportunity is there for them."