Bravettes roll after fast start; Braves pull away from 'Cats

COLUMBIA FALLS - Emma Andrews scored 18 of her game-high 20 points in the first half, Brittany Earnest hit all 10 of her points in the second period as Flathead defeated Columbia Falls 57-31 in nonconference girls basketball action Friday night.

Flathead (1-1) enjoyed a 16-7 and 37-11 edge after the first two quarter stops.

"Again, girls-wise, we're young and inexperienced," Columbia Falls coach Cary Finberg said.

"Flathead was a little too much for us tonight.

"We have to be patient with what we're doing," Finberg added.

"Continue to work hard to get these girls up to speed."

Columbia Falls did have a stronger second half, as both teams scored 20 points.

Hope Burlage netted 12 points to lead Columbia Falls.

Flathead went 14-for-19 at the charity line, while Columbia Falls was 10-for-18.

Columbia Falls (0-3) entertains Frenchtown today, 5:30 p.m.

Flathead plays at Whitefish on Tuesday in another nonconference outing.

Flathead 16 21 13 7 - 57

Columbia Falls 7 4 10 10 - 31

FLATHEAD - Emma Andrews 8 3-5 20, Tess Brenneman 3 4-5 10, Kelsey Davis 1 1-3 3, Ashlee O'Dell 3 0-0 6, Brittany Earnest 2 6-6 10, Malia Ozegovich 1 0-0 2, Cassie Krueger 2 0-0 4, Jenessa Heine 1 0-0 2. Totals: 21 14-19 57.

COLUMBIA FALLS - Kaity Presnell 1 0-0 3, Alli Diernfield 1 0-2 2, Kathryn Jetty 0 1-2 1, Hope Burlage 3 6-7 12, Madison Sandefer 2 2-4 6, Courtney White 1 0-1 2, Haley Belgarde 2 1-2 5. Totals: 10 10-18 31.

3-point goals: Andrews; Presnell; Team fouls: Flathead 14, Columbia Falls 19; Fouled out: None.

Boys

Flathead 63,

Columbia Falls 55

COLUMBIA FALL - A basket by Chris Cronk turned the momentum in Flathead's favor, and the Braves took advantage of that to post a big nonconference victory.

"He hit a half-court shot at the buzzer," Finberg said at the end of the first quarter to knot the contest at 12-all.

"The momentum switched.

"Flathead came out, only had seven turnovers the rest of the game," Finberg said.

"They settled in, did a great job of taking care of our pressure. At the same time, we didn't attack their pressure very well."

Columbia Falls forced nine Flathead turnovers in the opening quarter, but didn't capitalize.

"The second quarter was the difference," Finberg said.

George Sherwood's 18 points paced Flathead (2-0). Nick James added 10.

Cronk finished with three.

Austin Barth had 14 points for Columbia Falls. Parker Johnson scored 12 and Luke Kazlauskas 11.

"Fred (Flathead coach Fred Febach) has his kids playing hard," Finberg said.

"They did a good job tonight. My hat is off to those guys. They came ready to play."

Columbia Falls (1-2) hosts Frenchtown today, 4 p.m.

Flathead plays at Whitefish on Tuesday.

Flathead 12 19 17 15 - 63

Columbia Falls 12 11 19 13 - 55

FLATHEAD - Chris Cronk 1 0-0 3, Matt Tokarz 1 3-4 5, Matt McLean 1 2-2 4, George Sherwood 7 2-6 18, Austin Jones 1 2-2 4, Al Michael Olszewski 0 2-3 2, Shea Schroeder 4 1-7 9, Nick James 4 2-8 10, Garth West 4 0-1 8. Totals: 23 14-33 63.

COLUMBIA FALLS - Alex Presnell 1 0-0 3, Ronny Gallegos 1 2-4 4, Luke Kazlauskas 4 7-11, Anthony Correa 3 0-0 7, Parker Johnson 3 5-9 12, Austin Barth 5 3-6 14. Totals: 17 17-30 55.

3-point goals: Cronk, Sherwood (2); Presnell, Correa, Johnson, Barth; Team fouls: Flathead 26, Columbia Falls 26; Fouled out: McLean, Jones, West; Austin Martin, Correa, Barth.