DeWit leads Kats to top seed
POLSON - Kayla DeWit put on an offensive show with 29 points and the Columbia Falls Wildkats (10-7, 8-0) wrapped up the top seed at next weekend's Northwestern A divisional basketball tournament.
Three other Wildkats wound up in double figures. They were Jonna Werner with 13 and Dani Gilley and Hope Burlage, both with 11.
Breanne Kelley led the Pirates with a season-high 23 points, followed by Riley Kenney with 21.
"They got after us on both ends on rebounding. They got a lot of putbacks," said Pirate coach Randy Kelley.
The Wildkats built a double-figure lead, but the Pirates battled back within three points in the third quarter.
But after that ... "they kind of went away from us," Kelley said.
"We had a lot of good offensive efforts, but we just didn't get it done on the defensive end," the coach said.
The Pirates finish the regular season at 11-7, 6-2.
Columbia Falls 18 19 18 18 -73
Polson 15 14 16 19 -64
Columbia Falls - Kayla DeWit 29, Dani Gilley 11, Allie Lampman 2, Hope Burlage 11, Jonna Werner 13, Shaun Rowe 7. Totals 27 18-24 73.
Polson - Nina Orozco-Charlo 3, Mariah Hamel 10, Breanne Kelley 23, Riley Kenney 21, Jonna Grant 4, Heidi Rausch 3. Totals 25 13-21 64.
3-pointers - Columbia Falls 1 (Werner). Polson 1 (Orozco-Charlo). Total fouls: Columbia Falls 16, Polson 20. Fouled out: None.
Ronan 54,
Whitefish 37
WHITEFISH - Whitefish fell behind early and never recovered in falling to Ronan in a Northwestern A contest.
Ronan led 32-12 at the half.
Whitefish did end on a high note, scoring 19 points in the fourth period.
Olivia Nagler led Whitefish scorers with 11 points.
Courtney Clairmont scored 14 for Ronan.
Ronan 14 18 4 18 - 54
Whitefish 8 4 6 19 - 37
RONAN - Kiana Howell 1, Marissa McCrea 3, Courtney Clairmont 14, Alice VanGunten 3, Ashleigh Lynch 2, Ashley Grandchamp 10, Justice Burland 3, Tailyr Irvine 12, Cassidy Cheff 1, Mariah Cheff 5
WHITEFISH - Olivia Nagler 11, Taylor Havens 1, Ashley Millard 3, Heather Bailey 1, Olivia Curtiss 8, Jessica Poe 4, Brooke Silliker 5, Shannon Craft 2, Ashlee Brewer 2.
Helena Capital 53, Glacier 44
Maggie Rickman scored 17 points and Jordan Johnston 13 as Helena Capital defeated Glacier 53-44 in Western AA girls basketball action on Friday at Glacier High School.
Capital (14-3 overall, 9-0 league) led 30-24 at the half.
"We got down early, but never got too far behind," Glacier coach Kris Salonen said.
"Capital is a great ball club. We were able to step on the court and compete with them tonight."
Salonen said Cami Mathison, off the bench "hit some big buckets."
She finished with eight points. Nicole Heavirland led with 10.
Helena Capital 17 13 18 5 - 53
Glacier 11 13 11 9 - 44
HELENA CAPITAL - Alexa Welch 1 0-0 2, Emily Burk 0 2-3 2, Jordan Johnston 3 6-7 13, Kaye Bignell 1 0-0 2, Kaci Matthies 4 0-1 8, Smith 1 7-8 9, Maggie Rickman 7 3-6 17. Totals: 17 18-25 53.
GLACIER - Nicole Heavirland 4 2-2 10, Rachel Chery 0 1-2 1, Paige Latimer 2 0-0 4, Cami Mathison 3 0-0 8, Cassidy Hashley 3 2-4 8, Baylee Quay 1 0-0 2, Patty Hughes 1 0-0 2, Ashlee Waggener 4 1-2 9. Totals: 18 6-10 44.
3-point goals: Johnston; Mathison (2); Team fouls: Helena Capital 11, Glacier 17; Fouled out: None.