Schmidt's career game powers Bulldogs

COLUMBIA FALLS - Whitefish capitalized on a career scoring performance by junior guard Kali Schmidt and took advantage of Columbia Falls' offensive woes to post a 58-29 Northwestern A girls basketball victory Thursday night.

Schmidt tossed in a game-high 21 points as Whitefish moved to 4-3 in league action, 8-6 overall with the easy victory.

"This is the first time this year that we've won two conference games in a row," said WHS coach Dean McFadden.

"Being on the road, especially in a gym that will host the divisional, I was pleased to see the team play well and as a team. We communicated on defense, we took some pride in our defense and rebounding."

Columbia Falls, 2-5 and 6-8, opened with a solid first period, down 11-9, but faltered mightily with three-point second and third periods.

By that time, Whitefish was in command, 43-15.

"They were struggling offensively," said Columbia Falls coach Kris Salonen of her players.

"We've got to get our offense going."

Columbia Falls did finish on a strong note, however, scoring 14 points in the final frame.

"I told them to play with some heart, play with some pride in the fourth quarter," said Salonen.

"That's what they did. But they have to learn to play like that in the first, second and third quarters."

Schmidt tossed in five of Whitefish's eight treys on the night. Columbia Falls, on the other hand, finished with just one.

Whitefish, with help from a suffocating press, used a 10-point run in the span of a minute midway through the second quarter to break open a tight game and lead by 11, 23-12. The scoring spurt included a trey by Schmidt.

Columbia Falls, on the other hand, was stuck on 12 points from the 3:47 mark of the second period until Amber Lampman's basket with 3:43 to play in the third. By that time, Whitefish held a comfortable advantage, up 35-14.

Ashley Ferda turned in a double-double for the Bulldogs with 16 points and 10 assists.

Tracy Schwada had 17 rebounds to go with three blocks and four points. Erin Greiner pulled down 14 rebounds as Whitefish finished with a season team high of 43.

Kirsten Blackburn had three assists.

Beth Karper led the Wildkats with eight points.

Columbia Falls is back in action tonight hosting Libby. Whitefish travels to Corvallis Saturday for a nonconference contest.

NOTE: Columbia Falls High School held a pregame ceremony before the boys game at 6 p.m. to honor former Wildkat coach Larry Schmautz, who passed away last summer. The Columbia Falls basketball court will now be called Larry Schmautz Memorial Court. Schmautz coached the girls basketball team for 20 years, winning eight divisional titles and a state championship in 1983.

BULLDOGS 58, WILDKATS 29

Whitefish 11 12 18 15 - 58

Columbia Falls 9 3 3 14 - 29

Whitefish - Kirsten Blackburn 2 0-1 5, Ashley Ferda 4 7-9 16, Kali Schmidt 7 2-2 21, Dana Labuda 1 0-0 2, Tracy Schwada 1 2-2 4, Maude Gwiazdon 2 0-1 5, Erin Greiner 2 1-2 5. Totals: 19 12-17 58.

Columbia Falls - Callie Spencer 1 1-2 3, Amber Lampman 2 0-1 4, Jessica Boyer 1 0-0 3, Alyssa Ladenburg 3 0-2 6, Beth Karper 3 2-3 8, Jessica Davis 0 1-2 1, Kate Marcille 2 0-0 4, Alona Raymond 0 0-2 0. Totals: 12 4-12 29.

3-point goals: Blackburn, Ferda, Schmidt (5), Gwiazdon; Boyer. Team fouls: Whitefish 12, Columbia Falls 18. Fouled out: None.