Krueger breaks loose

It's been awhile since Flathead sophomore Cassie Krueger can remember having a game quite like that.

The 5-10 forward posted her first varsity double-double in just her third start on Thursday, scoring 23 points and pulling down 11 rebounds in the Bravettes' 52-41 nonconference girls basketball victory over Columbia Falls.

"Probably in the eighth grade," Krueger said of the last time she scored that many points in an outing.

"Way too long ago. It's a good thing I finally got that out of my system."

Krueger hit her first five shots, helping spot Flathead (2-0) to a 12-6 advantage less than four minutes into play.

Four of those points came off offensive rebounds.

"Our offense was flowing, we were being patient," she said.

Krueger finally missed on her sixth and seventh shots, both in the first quarter, but connected on two field goal attempts in the second period to put Flathead on top 22-17.

Flathead, which never trailed, led 24-19 at the half and 36-27 after three periods.

"Hopefully, yeah," she said of having more performances like that throughout the season.

"It's nice to be the offensive leader, but it will change every game."

Krueger said she felt more confident before the opening tipoff of this game than the last one. She made her first varsity start last year in a playoff game.

"It was looking good, then, too," she said of her pregame shooting.

"That helped my confidence."

Krueger scored just four points, all from the free throw line, in the Bravettes' season opening win over Great Falls High.

"I was really nervous to start at home," she said.

"Coach (Karly) Tait told me to be confident and they (teammates) were all behind me."

"I'm just really excited for her," Tait said.

"We knew she was capable.

"She came out ready to play," Tait said.

"They (teammates) are pretty good about that - who ever has the hot hand, they just get her the ball."

Krueger was a force inside, pulling down four huge rebounds on the defensive end to go with her seven on the other end of the floor.

Flathead's Danika Johnson had 12 rebounds, five on the defensive side, to go with nine points. The 6-2 senior center also blocked four shots.

"Bottom line, we didn't block out very well," Columbia Falls coach Dan Fairbank said.

"Twenty-five offensive rebounds, that's way too many. They outhustled us for every loose ball."

Fairbank said the Wildkats gave up 12 offensive rebounds in their opener and 17 in their next outing.

The coach, however, was pleased with the effort.

"A lot of kids have stepped up and they are doing good things for us," he said.

Kayla DeWit led the Wildkat scoring with 11 points. Hope Burlage and Jonna Werner both added seven each.

Brittany Earnst had another solid go for Flathead, scoring nine points.

Flathead will play its final game before the holiday break on Saturday at Libby.

Columbia Falls (0-3) hosts Missoula Sentinel on Saturday.

Columbia Falls 8 11 8 14 - 41

Flathead 12 12 12 16 - 52

COLUMBIA FALLS - Kayla Stratton 2 0-1 4, Danielle Gilley 3 0-0 6, Kayla DeWit 4 3-4 11, Allison Lampman 1 1-4 4, Hope Burlage 3 1-5 7, Jonna Werner 3 1-2 7, Erin Hill 1 0-0 2. Totals: 17 6-16 41.

FLATHEAD - Emma Andrews 0 2-2 2, Sam Thompson 1 2-2 4, Tess Brenneman 1 1-3 3, Megan Jones 1 0-2 2, Brittany Earnest 4 0-0 9, Cassie Krueger 10 2-3 23, Danika Johnson 4 1-1 9. Totals: 21 8-13 52.

3-point goals - Lampman, Earnest, Krueger; Team fouls - Columbia Falls 14, Flathead 14; Fouled out - Thompson.