Cats reload for another run

The Columbia Falls boys basketball team will look to reload and make another run for a state tournament berth this year. Last year, the Wildcats took second in the state Class A championship, losing to Dillon 54-39 in the final.

This year’s squad features three returning players who saw significant minutes in postseason — senior forward Luke Kazlauskas and juniors Jared Trinastich and Alex Presnell. Last year, Kazlauskas came off the bench to seal more than a couple games for the Cats. He’ll be the team’s leader this season.

“We have a few players that played (varsity) last year,” coach Cary Finberg said. “We don’t have as many back as the girls do (but) the junior varsity team had a very good year last season. We’ve got some kids ready to step up into (varsity) roles.”

Finberg expects good things from seniors Colin King, Austin Martin and Austin Cahoon, to name a few. Cahoon played for the Cats as a freshman, moved away and then came back to Columbia Falls. The 6-foot-3, 205-pound senior should be a physical presence on the boards.

“He’s a good addition,” Finberg said.

Finberg also likes the looks of many of the younger players, including some sophomore talent.

Time will tell, and several players should be in the hunt for spots on the varsity roster.

“We’re not ruling anyone out at this point,” Finberg said. “Playing time is up for grabs.”

The starting rotation at the beginning of the season isn’t always the same by the end of the season.

Last year, Trinastich didn’t really blossom until the state tournament, where he hit some key shots to put the Cats into the final round of the state tourney.

The Cats finished last year at 19-4. In the Northwest Class A division, they’ll see competition from Polson and Whitefish, and Frenchtown should be improved.

This is Finberg’s 15th year as head coach of the boys program. Finberg is assisted by freshman coach Tyler Jones, junior varsity coach Christopher Finberg and volunteers Parker Johnson and Brandon Rice.

The Cats open their season on the road at the Northwest-Southwest Class A Tip-Off tournament in Hamilton on Dec. 7 where they face Anaconda.