Kats claw their way back to win divisional tourney
It wasn’t easy, but the Columbia Falls girls basketball team punched a ticket to the state tournament last week, beating Frenchtown 53-47 in the Northwest Class A divisional championship March 2 at Glacier High School in Kalispell.
The Wildkats were led by senior Haley Belgarde, who had 21 points in a great effort. The Kats had a tough time with the Lady Broncs’ press at times, and committed an uncharacteristic 20-plus turnovers.
Frenchtown had a 14-6 lead after the first stanza, but the Kats battled back and held a 25-20 advantage at the half. But the Lady Broncs kept the pressure on, and it was all knotted up at 34 points each after three quarters.
“Frenchtown hit us hard early, and it got us off our game a little bit,” coach Cary Finberg said. “But we responded and battled through the mistakes. A game like this is good for us right now.”
Columbia Falls had a six-point lead with three minutes left when Frenchtown cut the Kats’ lead to just one point. But sophomore guard Ellie Johnson drove to the baseline and sunk a big shot with time winding down to put the Kats up by three. With about 30 seconds left, freshman Cydney Finberg iced the game, draining two free throws to put the Kats up by five.
Frenchtown had its chances in the closing minutes to tie it a couple times, but the Kats’ defense either forced a turnover or the Lady Broncs missed their free throws.
Earlier, the Kats pounded Polson 60-18 on Feb. 27 to advance to the finals. Junior Ciera Finberg was hot behind the three-point arc in that one, leading the Kats with 15 points, including four three-pointers.
Blizzard conditions across Western Montana delayed the tournament for a day after the Frenchtown players couldn’t get to Kalispell for semifinal action on Friday. The result was one of the few games ever played on a Sunday. Libby was the host of the tournament.
The girls are now 19-1 overall. The Kats have a couple weeks off before their turn at the state Class A tournament in Great Falls. They open the tournament March 13 against Belgrade, the winner of the Central Class A challenge game.
Columbia Falls 9 16 9 19 — 53
Frenchtown 14 6 14 13 — 47
COLUMBIA FALLS - Ciera Finberg 3 0-0 8, Cydney Finberg 4 2-3 11, Ellie Johnson 1 0-0 2, Winter Kemppainen 5 0-2 11, Haley Belgarde 7 7-10 21. Totals 20 9-15 53.
FRENCHTOWN - Haley Cyr 4 1-2 10, Vanessa Stavish 6 6-10 19, Kayla Blood 2 3-3 7, Lacey Hochhalter 2 0-0 4, Alli Moe 2 1-1 5, Brooke Yarnell 0 1-2 1, Laci Willett 0 1-4 1. Totals 16 13-22 47.
3-pointers - Columbia Falls 4 (Ci.Finberg 2, Cyd. Finberg, Johnson), Frenchtown 2 (Cyr, Stavish). Team fouls - Columbia Falls 16, Frenchtown 17. Fouled out - None.
Columbia Falls 14 13 18 15 — 60
Polson 0 6 8 4 — 18
COLUMBIA FALLS - Summer Burlage 1 0-0 2, Ciera Finberg 5 1-1 15, Cydney Finberg 6 0-0 14, Ellie Johnson 4 0-0 9, Andrea Getts 2 2-2 6, Winter Kemppainen 1 02-2, Kiara Burlage 1 2-2 4, Haley Belgarde 4 0-0 8. Totals 24 5-7 60.
POLSON - Skyla Krantz 1 0-0 2, Jessica Bagnell 4 2-4 11, Peyton Anderson 1 1-2 3, Emma Shaw 1 0-0 2. Totals 9 3-6 18.
3-pointers - Columbia Falls 7 (Cia. Finberg 4, Cyd. Finberg 2, Johnson), Polson 1 (Bagnell); Team fouls - Columbia Falls 6, Polson 6.