C-Falls now 5-1 after slipping past Libby

The Columbia Falls boys basketball team blew out Class B Eureka 73-38 at home Dec. 20, but conference rival Libby gave them all they could handle a couple of days later, as the boys edged the Loggers, 47-42.

Against Eureka, the Wildcats scored 28 and then 30 points in the first two quarters to go up 58-19 at the break.

Luke Kazlauskas was on fire to start the game, scoring 17 of his 21 points in the first quarter. Alex Presnell also had a great game with 19, and Ty Morgan got into double figures with 11.

Against Libby, it was a far tougher game. The Loggers have improved since the start of the season, and the Cats’ hot shooting from a few days before was decidedly cold.

Libby held a 26-22 advantage at the break, but in the third quarter, the Cats took a 33-31 lead and then extended it to 42-33. Libby battled back on nice shooting by junior Jared Winslow to make it 44-40 with less than five minutes left in the game. Libby cut the margin to three, 45-42, at the 2:30 mark.

With about a minute left to play, the Cats still only had that three-point lead, but Libby didn’t foul early — they waited until about 23 seconds were left in regulation.

Presnell came up huge at the line, sinking both free throws to make the margin five, and Libby never did score as the game ended. Presnell was 5-for-5 from the line and had 12 points. Kazlauskas had a tough time scoring, but still ended up with 13.

The Cats’ defense played tough, forcing 24 Logger turnovers. The Cats also had good bench play from Austin Kimmet and Grant Stenger, as big man Jared Trinastich was in foul trouble late in the game.

The Cats are now 5-1 on the season. The boys face a tough Bigfork team away after the break Jan. 3. Game time is 7:30 p.m.

Eureka 13 6 8 11 - 38

Col. Falls 28 30 15 0 - 73

EUREKA - Trey Bohne 2, Tanner Blankers 15, Dalton Smith 8, Richard Tullis 2, RJ Glover 8, Cameron Griffin 3.

COLUMBIA FALLS - Alex Presnell 19, Jace Fagerland 2, Luke Kazlauskas 21, Nakia Alexander 5, Ty Morgan 11, Mason Gedlaman 4, Jared Trinastich 9, Austin Kimmet 2.

Libby 11 15 9 7 - 42

Col. Falls 14 8 20 5 - 47

LIBBY - Dan Leggins 3, Jared Winslow 21, Barak Lapka 8, Kraig Nelson 8, Tarasik Krisanov 2.

COLUMBIA FALLS - Alex Presnell 12, Austin Martin 3, Colin King 2, Luke Kazlauskas 13, Ty Morgan 8, Jared Trinastich 8, Austin Kimmet 1.