Against Pirates, a thriller

Whew! That was close.

For a few seconds there, the Columbia Falls boys basketball team was eyeing the specter of a challenge game against Whitefish to make it to the state tournament. Point guard Nick Emerson had just thrown an errant pass into the stands with 26 seconds left against the Polson Pirates in the Northwest A Divisional Tournament in Ronan. The Pirates were clinging to a 59-58 lead.

But as quickly as Emerson turned the ball over, he got it back. With 15 seconds left, he blocked a pass by Pirate Louis Mohr, drove to the basket and Mohr fouled him hard as he took the layup.

Emerson hit both free throws to put the Wildcats up 60-59. Polson got the ball back with 11 seconds left, but Kaleb Johnson blocked the shot and time ran out as Emerson snared the loose ball.

The Cats were led by Austin Barth, who had 23 points. Barth was on fire in the first half, scoring 18 points, including two three-pointers. Barth shot 60 percent from the field and 84 percent from the free throw line. The Cats had a 52-44 lead after three quarters, but cooled off in the fourth with just eight points.

“That was about as well a basketball game could be played by both teams,” coach Cary Finberg said. “Someone had to lose, fortunately it wasn’t us.”

The Cats beat Ronan handily Friday to make it to the final, 74-55. Five players were in double figures. Emerson led the squad with 16. Polson also advances to the state tournament as they beat Whitefish 52-29 in the semifinal. Because Columbia Falls did not beat Whitefish, if they had lost to Polson, there would have been a challenge game.

Finberg said it was a complete team effort that got them to the state tournament. Emerson averaged 16 points and seven rebounds for the tourney; Devyn Rocker scored eight points early on against Polson; Parker Johnson had 13 rebounds and eight assists for the tournament; Kaleb Johnson was key defensively; Anthony Correa came off the bench and scored 12 points against Ronan for a career high and Chris King had some solid plays on defense as well.

And the state tournament?

Finberg said it doesn’t matter who they play. All the teams are good. The Cats just need to keep their team unity.

“Everyone contributed (at the divisional tournament),” he said. “We just need to continue that way and good things will happen to us.”

The boys open the tournament at 12:30 p.m. Thursday against Belgrade in the Brick Breeden Fieldhouse on the Montana State University campus.

Like the girls, this is the boys’ third straight divisional title.

You can watch a short video of the end of the championship game and trophy presentation here: http://www.vimeo.com/user5789172/videos

Ronan 15 12 17 11 - 55

Columbia Falls 25 15 18 16 - 74

RONAN - Jarod Tanner 12, Justin Dustybull 12, Kevin Wroblewski 10, Marcus Hungerford 7, Lucas Black 4, Brady Oakland 3, Robert Faoa 3, Chris Clary 2, Jackson Jore 2.

COLUMBIA FALLS - Nick Emerson 16, Parker Johnson 12, Austin Barth 12, Anthony Correa 12, Kaleb Johnson 11, Chris King 3, Devyn Rocker 3, Cale Vukonich 3, Ronny Gallegos 2.

Polson 17 12 15 15 - 59

Columbia Falls 21 17 14 8 - 60

POLSON - Tyler Krell 19, Sheldon Fisher 14, Louis Mohr 14, Kyle Bagnell 10, Vince DiGiallonardo 2.

COLUMBIA FALLS - Austin Barth 23, Nick Emerson 16, Devyn Rocker 8, Kaleb Johnson 8, Chris King 5.