Girls split non-conference bill

The Columbia Falls girls basketball team had a disappointing loss against AA Glacier last Friday 48-45, but bounced back to hammer Loyola on Saturday, 60-44.

The Kats were up against Glacier by a point with 24 seconds left, but the Wolfpack knocked down a shot in the closing seconds to take the lead. The Kats were hurt by the same problems that have dogged them all season long — turnovers. All told, the girls had 27. They also shot poorly from the line — just three for eight.

Saturday night, it looked like Loyola would match up well against the Kats — they didn't. The Cats clicked on all cylinders and they made a win against a good Sacred Heart team look easy. Kelsey DeWit led the girls with 22. Sister Kayla had 21 and Shay Grilley had 11.

"They turned around and played really well the next day," coach Dan Fairbank said.

Against Loyola, the girls had just 15 turnovers. They also were more aggressive around the basket, Fairbank noted.

The DeWits will always get their points, but when they get a little help — a player that grabs seven or eight rebounds or scores 10 or more points — the team is extremely tough.

Fairbank said he was pleased with the point guard play of Dani Gilley against Loyola. She had five points and few turnovers, he noted.

They face class B Thompson Falls Thursday (today) at 7:30 p.m. and then have a two-week road stretch before wrapping up the regular season against Polson Feb. 18.