Refocused Wildcats rumble past rival Bulldogs
COLUMBIA FALLS - As Kaleb Johnson smoothly scored the fastbreak layup, adding more points and momentum to the Wildcats' growing lead, the standing Columbia Falls student section began echoing the chant throughout the packed gymnasium.
"You. Can't. Stop. Us!"
Like almost all opponents this season, the Whitefish Bulldogs found that out the hard way.
Led by three scorers in double figures and a monster third quarter, Columbia Falls rumbled past rival Whitefish 68-44 at home on Saturday afternoon.
The refocused Wildcats improved to 15-1 overall and 6-1 in Northwestern A, setting up a conference title showdown with Polson (13-4, 6-1) next Friday in Columbia Falls.
That game is already shaping up to be a classic, and not just because winner takes the regular-season crown. Last Saturday in Polson, the Pirates blemished the top-ranked Wildcats' perfect season with a 59-52 victory at a time when Columbia Falls was in a bit of disarray. Six players on the team were suspended the previous game after breaking school policy, and against Polson the distraction appeared evident.
But from the looks of it Saturday, the past is the past, and the Wildcats are back.
"It obviously is going to take us a little while to get over (the loss) but I think last week we had a great week of practice," Columbia Falls head coach Cary Finberg said. "I think (the team) kind of refocused a little bit as far as why they're here, not so much because of the loss but because of the distractions the week before. I think their focus is back to where it needs to be and we just have to continue to push forward."
Senior Nick Emerson scored a game-high 19 points and had nine rebounds and Johnson had 14 points and nine rebounds for Columbia Falls, which dropped to second in the most recent Class A prep poll behind defending state champ Laurel. Junior Austin Barth added 11 points and the Wildcats outrebounded the Bulldogs 38-22.
"They did a great job. They came out with tons of energy," Whitefish head coach Mark Casazza said. "They got us back on our heels. The bottom line was we just didn't box out and they just wanted it more than we did."
Junior Gage Vasquez paced Whitefish (10-6, 2-4) with 10 points, sophomore Cooper Olson had nine and senior Mac Roche added eight.
Columbia Falls led from start to finish. After a physical first-half that saw 31 combined free throw shots, the Wildcats settled in and put the game away with a resounding, picture-perfect 16-3 run.
Strong contributions came from junior Anthony Correa, who had seven points, and junior Parker Johnson, who had six points and five rebounds. Chris King scored five and Cale Vukonich four.
"The third quarter we came out and quit putting them to the free-throw line and got to their shooters a little better," Finberg said.
"If we can just get a little more consistency with what we're doing we're going to be fine."
The Wildcats had only eight turnovers in the game leading up to the final minutes.
When the starters came out with a few minutes left, the C-Town fans awarded them with a standing ovation.
"I thought tonight was definitely a step in the right direction as far as what we want to do here toward the end of the year," Finberg said.
"We just have to make sure we keep our goals in mind, and that's wanting to get back to the state tournament and continue to get better every day and every game as the season wears on. That time is almost upon us."
NOTES: Longtime Columbia Falls supporter Randy Bocksnick acted as honorary coach for Saturday's game, joining the Wildcats on the bench throughout
Whitefish 7 17 5 15 - 44
Columbia Falls 12 18 22 16 - 68
WHITEFISH - Mac Roche 2 3-4 8, Kyler Blades 1 3-4 5, Jose Sanchez 0 1-2 1, Gage Vasquez 3 4-6 10, Cooper Olson 3 0-0 9, Drew Galbraith 1 0-1 2, Alex Duroche 2 0-0 4, Peter Seymour 0 3-4 3, Jake May 1 0-1 2. Totals 13 14-22 44.
COLUMBIA FALLS - Nick Emerson 7 4-6 19, Chris King 2 0-0 5, Anthony Correa 3 0-0 7, Cale Vukonich 2 0-0 4, Parker Johnson 2 1-4 6, Austin Barth 3 5-9 11, Kaleb Johnson 6 2-7 14, Jacob Calderwood 0 2-2 2. Totals 24 14-28 68.
3-pointers - Whitefish 4 (Olson 3, Roche), Columbia Falls 4 (P. Johnson, King, Emerson, Correa); Rebounds - Whitefish 22 (NA), Columbia Falls 38 (Emerson 9, K. Johnson 9, P. Johnson 5, Vukonich 5); Turnovers - Whitefish 18, Columbia Falls 12; Fouls - Whitefish 19, Columbia Falls 20; Fouled out - None.