Boys win two, but have plenty to work on

The Columbia Falls boys basketball team went 2-0 at the Northwest-Southwest Tip-Off tournament last week in Hamilton.

The Wildcats opened the tourney with a 57-45 win over Anaconda on Dec. 7 and then dispatched Corvallis 56-44 the next day. The Corvallis game was a bit closer than the score would suggest — the Blue Devils tied the game in the third quarter before the Cats righted the ship and were able to pull away.

Luke Kazlauskas had a hot hand against the Blue Devils, scoring 25 points. He also had 11 against Anaconda. Nakia Alexander had a good game against the Copperheads, scoring 10, and Alex Presnell dropped a dozen against the Blue Devils.

Against Anaconda, Jared Trinastich had six points, eight rebounds and five assists.

Coach Cary Finberg said the difference in both games was that the boys played good defense and didn’t turn the ball over. The Cats had just 12 turnovers against Anaconda and 10 against Corvallis.

Kazlauskas also had four steals and five assists against the Blue Devils.

“It was a tremendous individual effort on his part,” Finberg said. “He carried us in the second half.”

But the Cats will have to start shooting the ball better. The Cats shot less than 40 percent in both games, and Corvallis out rebounded the Cats 32-16.

The Cats didn’t face Dillon or Stevensville in the tourney — they’re two of the best in the state.

The road for the boys gets tougher this week. They face Class AA Flathead High School at home Friday. Game time is 7 p.m. On Saturday, the Cats have their first conference game against Frenchtown. Tip-off time for that game is 5 p.m.

Anaconda 7 14 13 11 - 45

Columbia Falls 11 13 16 17 - 57

Anaconda - Kelly Krumm 6, Dennis Stanberry 5, Cory Stanberry 5. Jayve Barclay 3, Jade Green 4, Jackson Wagner 7, Geoff Dierenfeldt 7, Brandon Fode 8.

Columbia Falls - Alex Presnell 7, Austin Martin 4, Colin King 4, Luke Kazlauskas 11, Nakia Alexander 10, Austin Cahoon 1, Ty Morgan 9, Mason Gedlaman 4, Jared Trinastich 6, Austin Kimmett 1.

Columbia Falls 10 14 14 18 - 56

Corvallis 9 7 17 11 - 44

Columbia Falls - Alex Presnell 12, Colin King 1, Luke Kazlauskas 25, Ty Morgan 7, Mason Gedlaman 2, Jared Trinastich 9.

Corvallis - Brady Tuttle 2, Alma Powell 5, Blake Sylvester 2, Jayce Gilder 3, Chayney Waldo 8, Jansen Jessop 12, Chase Walker 6, Andrew Leopold 6.