Size, speed and depth define Wildkats

The Columbia Falls girls basketball team’s goal is a pretty simple one — make it to the state tournament and improve on last year’s third-place finish.

The Wildkats have the talent to get there, that’s for sure. They have size, speed, shooters and a deep, deep bench. There’s at least 12 girls who could start for any team in the division.

For size, the Kats have six-foot sophomores Kiara Burlage and Sydney Hovde and two 5-11 players in sophomore Cydney Finberg and senior Winter Kemppainen.

They also have speedy guards, including junior Ellie Johnson, senior Miranda Livingston, senior Summer Burlage and senior Katie Price.

They also have a speedy forward in senior Ciera Finberg. The Kats should also see good things from junior Allyson Gimbel and junior Sydney Grilley. and Peyton Kehr.

“We have more size, more depth,” coach Cary Finberg said. “They’re playing with a lot of confidence right now. We’re excited. They had a very good off season, and a lot of girls committed themselves to the program.”

But the squad still has to prove its place, Finberg said. Last year, the Kats had plenty of potential but fell short in the state tournament.

“Potential doesn’t carry much weight,” Finberg said. “We still have to go out there and get the job done.”

The Kats went 22-2 overall last year. If they make it the state tournament, it could be one for the ages. Hamilton returns nearly all its players and will host the tournament. Havre and Laurel should be strong again as well. Havre lost two of its top players, but still is a strong team, Finberg said.

The Kats will start out the season with a road game against Corvallis on Saturday. The varsity start is at 4 p.m. The Kats’ first home game will be Dec. 11 against Flathead.