Cats remain unbeaten at 10-0
The Columbia Falls boys basketball team extended their winning streak to 10 games last week, but the going was tough.
The Cats beat Glacier High School 42-36 Thursday and then dropped Loyola Sacred Heart 72-58 Saturday.
The Glacier game was a bruising affair.
“Both teams got after it pretty good,” coach Cary Finberg said. “It kind of turned ugly.”
Glacier led the game at the half, 26-18, the Cats tightened their defense and held the Wolfpack to just 10 points in the second half.
Finberg brought senior Jake Calderwood off the bench and put him in the middle of a 1-3-1 zone defense. Calderwood did a great job, Finberg said. His presence allowed Columbia falls big three — Kaleb Johnson, Nick Emerson and Austin Barth, to guard the Wolfpack’s perimeter shooters.
The scheme worked, as the Wolfpack were 0-13 from beyond the three-point line the second half.
“Defensively, (Calderwood did a great job for us,” Finberg said. He named Calderwood his player of the week.
On the offensive end, Parker Johnson continued his solid playing, scoring 10 against the Wolfpack, including a clutch three-pointer late in the game.
The Cats simply outmatched Loyola physically and kept sharp-shooter Everett Johnston in check. Johnston averages 27 points a game. Against the Cats, he had just three field goals and scored 17.
Barth led the Cats with 19, followed by Emerson with 18 and Kaleb Johnson with 10.
On the week, Parker Johnson and Emerson had 22 assist and just six turnovers, a formula for success, Finberg noted.
Despite and unblemished wins record, the Cats still have work to do. As a team, they shoot about 50 percent from the free throw line — an aspect that concerns Finberg. Free throws can be the difference in a close game.
The Cats are on the road Thursday night at Thompson Falls and then face Missoula Big Sky (3-7) at home Saturday night. Gametime is 4 p.m.
Big Sky doesn’t have the best record, but Finberg isn’t taking them lightly.
“They’re physical and they play hard,” Finberg said.
Loyola 9 15 11 23 - 58
Col. Falls 13 22 20 17 - 72
LOYOLA - Josh Gilligan 6, Everett Johnston 17, Jonathan Finch 2, Justin Anderson 1, Andy Gregory 2, Josh Janssen 24, Shiloh Kerr 6.
COLUMBIA FALLS - Devyn Rocker 3, Nick Emerson 18, Chris King 7, Anthony Correa 3, Cale Vukonich 5, Parker Johnson 4, Austin Barth 19, Kaleb Johnson 10, Jacob Calderwood 3.
Glacier 14 12 6 4 - 36
Col. Falls 11 7 11 13 - 42
GLACIER - Bryan Chery 3 4-4 13, Trey Griffith 0 0-2 0, Kyle Griffith 3 2-2 8, Jacob Leininger 1 0-1 2, Colter Hanson 1 0-0 3, Sean Peters 2 0-0 4, Ryan Edwards 2 0-2 4, Brandon Doty 1 0-0 2. Totals 13 6-11 36.
COLUMBIA FALLS - Devyn Rocker 0 4-4 4, Nick Emerson 3 2-7 8, Parker Johnson 3 2-3 10, Austin Barth 3 2-4 8, Kaleb Johnson 2 3-9 7, Jacob Calderwood 2 1-2 5. Totals 13 14-29 42.