C-Falls nips Bigfork at buzzer

The Daily Inter Lake

BIGFORK - J.D. Fields hit a running 25-footer at the buzzer as Columbia Falls nipped Bigfork 52-50 Tuesday.

It was the lone field goal of the second half for Fields, who limped through much of the contest after being kneed in the thigh. He finished with seven points.

Bigfork, leading 50-49, had a chance to add to its lead with five seconds remaining. But Mitch Hill missed the front-end of the bonus, Columbia Falls rebounded, setting up Fields' dramatic game-winning shot.

"I thought tonight the kids executed better," said a disappointed Bigfork coach Jim Epperly.

"We didn't get rewarded. We took smart shots, played good defense. We deserved to win it."

Columbia Falls (7-2 in Northwestern A and 14-3 overall) has developed a knack the last two years for pulling out dramatic finishes. On the other hand, Bigfork (3-6, 7-10) has experienced some difficult last- second losses.

"Keep our heads up," said Epperly. "Hopefully our luck will change in the tournament. We'll get on the top end of these close games."

Kevin Boyer led Columbia Falls offensively with 14 points.

Bigfork's Donny Houtonen led all scorers with 21 points.

Hill led Bigfork in assists, five, while Luke Taylor was the rebounding leader with 11.

Bigfork wraps up regular-season play Friday at Whitefish while Columbia Falls visits Ronan on Saturday.

WILDCATS 52, VIKINGS 50

Columbia Falls 13 19 8 12 - 52

Bigfork 9 14 15 12 - 50

Columbia Falls - Justin Heinrichs 1 0-0 2, J.D. Fields 2 2-2 7, Drew Perry 4 1-2 10, Kevin Boyer 6 1-2 14, Guy Smith 3 3-6 9, Jace Ladenburg 0 0-2 0, Anthony Minson 4 0-0 8, Nick Beckwith 1 0-0 2. Totals: 21 7-14 52.

Bigfork - Mitch Hill 0 1-4 1, Kellen Wasell 4 0-1 12, Luke Taylor 2 2-4 6, Donny Houtonen 8 5-7 21, Cy Murer 5 0-3 10. Totals: 19 8-19 50.

3-point goals: Fields, Perry, Boyer; Wasell (4). Team fouls: Columbia Falls 18, Bigfork 14. Fouled out: None.

Polson 62, Ronan 56

POLSON - Bubba Michel's 22 points helped Polson upend Ronan in a battle for third place in Northwestern A boys basketball action Tuesday.

Both teams came into the outing with 5-3 league marks. Polson now improves to 9-8 overall while Ronan drops to 10-7.

Brandon Couture added 19 for the Pirates.

Polson used a strong start to come out on top. The Pirates led 14-8 and 33-19 after the first two quarter stops.

Ronan had three players in double figures scoring - Jimmy Michel with 22, Aaron Skogen 15 and Zanen Pitts 13.

Polson ends regular-season play Saturday at Libby.

PIRATES 62, CHIEFS 56

Ronan 8 11 14 23 - 56

Polson 14 19 10 19 - 62

Ronan - Aaron Skogen 15, Daniel Stuber 2, Jimmy Michel 22, Chance Remien 2, D.J. Orr 1,

Zanen Pitts 13, Nick Harris 1.

Polson - Joe Locke 7, Chris Ogle 3, Colton Woods 9, Gabe Caye 2, Bubba Michel 22, Brandon

Couture 19.