Bravettes regroup at half, bury Kats
COLUMBIA FALLS - There was no clipboard throwing by Flathead coach Dennis Latimer in the locker room Tuesday evening during the halftime break. Nor did he deliver any Knute Rockne type speeches.
"I just said it has to come from the heart," said Latimer of his team's play.
That calm, cool and collected approach sure worked wonders.
Flathead responded with an inspired effort throughout the second half and rallied for a 60-41 nonconference girls basketball victory over Valley rival Columbia Falls.
The Bravettes, now 6-3 overall, trailed by seven, 27-20, heading into the final 16 minutes of play, but rattled the Wildkats, 4-6, with full court pressure and dominated the action in the paint.
"We rolled the dice by going straight man-to-man," said Latimer.
"The press forced them to make some tough decisions. It worked in our favor."
Columbia Falls turned it over on four straight possessions to start the third period. Flathead then went on a 14-4 run to take charge.
Chaeney Latimer drove the lane for a basket with 1:24 left in the third period, putting FHS on top for the first time, 30-29.
A minute later, a traditional three-point play by Lindsay Ingram gave the Bravettes a four-point edge.
Flathead then outscored Columbia Falls 26-10 in the final frame.
"I'm proud of the effort our girls gave in the second half," said coach Latimer.
"How committed they were to put the pressure on and help each other out."
It was a complete switch from the first half, when Columbia Falls turned in a dominating performance. The Wildkats jumped out to a 16-9 first quarter lead and went up by nine, 18-9, to open the second period on a rebound and basket by Sam Ladenburg.
"I told the kids to play hard, play smart and just compete and we will be able to hang with them," said Columbia Falls coach Kris Salonen.
But in the second half, that changed. The Wildkats were scrambling to get into their offense and struggled for the remainder of play.
"Offensively, we got a little stale," she said.
"We turned the ball over way too much. We just have to maintain our composure better, take care of the basketball."
The victory was the third straight for the Bravettes heading into Thursday's home game with Whitefish, 8 p.m. Columbia Falls hosts Missoula Hellgate on Thursday, 7:30 p.m.
Flathead's Holli Hashley shared team-high scoring honors with Christina Zorn. Both players finished with 10 points. Nine Bravettes scored in the game.
Kate Marcille and Amber Lampman both had eight points to key Columbia Falls. Lampman scored all of her points in the opening quarter to spark the Wildkats.
BRAVETTES 60, WILDCATS 41
Flathead 9 11 14 26 - 60
Columbia Falls 18 11 4 10 - 41
Flathead - Christina Zorn 3 3-5 10, Chaeney Latimer 3 0-0 8, Kendal Habel 3 1-2 7, Lindsay Ingram 2 3-5 8, Holli Hashley 4 2-3 10, Meghan O'Connell 2 1-4 6, Chelsea Vaudt 3 2-7 8, Annie Braseth 1 0-0 2, Leslie Quay 0 0-2 0. Totals: 21 13-31 60.
Columbia Falls - Callie Spencer 3 0-0 6, Amber Lampman3 0-2 8, Jessica Boyer 3 0-0 7, Jessica Davis 3 0-0 7, Kate Marcille 3 2-2 8, Alona Raymond 0 1-2 1, Sam Ladenburg 1 0-0 2, Colyne Hislop 1 0-0 2. Totals: 17 3-6 41.
3-point goals: Zorn, Latimer (2), Ingram, O'Connell; Lampman (2), Boyer, Davis. Team fouls: Flathead 12, Columbia Falls 22. Fouled out: None.