BBALL ROUNDUP: Wildkats fend off Frenchtown

COLUMBIA FALLS — The Columbia Falls girls ran out to a 22-2 lead in the first quarter and held off a fiesty Frenchtown squad for a 58-49 win in a Northwest A conference basketball game on Thursday night.

The Wildkats hit four 3-pointers in the opening eight minutes and shut down nearly every opportunity Frenchtown had, but couldn’t find that form after taking the big lead.

“The first quarter we got off to a great start,” Wildkats coach Cary Finberg said.

“We did a lot of right things. After that it seemed like we shut it down a bit.”

Frenchtown outscored Columbia Falls by seven points in the third quarter and cut the lead to five points in the fourth only for the Wildkats to regain control and extend the lead back to double digits, holding on for the win.

“It’s kinda one of those games,” Finberg said. “We lost three of the four quarters. We had such a good first quarter it didn’t matter. But, give credit to Frenchtown for battling.”

Kiara Burlage had a game-high 17 points to lead Columbia Falls, which also got 11 points from both Dani Douglas and Peyton Kehr. Cydney Finberg had 10 points for the Wildkats.

Allison Hochhalter led Frenchtown with 13 points.

Frenchtown 2 12 21 14 — 49

C. Falls 22 10 14 12 — 58

FRENCHTOWN — Meg Delaney 5, Lexi Statelen 2, Kylie Willett 9, Shannon Worster 10, Emilie Hinrichs 8, Allison Hochhalter 13, Sydney Channer 2.

COLUMBIA FALLS — Dani Douglas 11, Hannah Gedlaman 2, Cydney Finberg 10, Peyton Kehr 11, Ryley Kehr 2, Kiara Burlage 17, Trista Cowan 3, Sydney Hovde 2.

Libby 47, Thompson Falls 29

THOMPSON FALLS — Shannon Reny scored 20 points as the Loggers blanked Thompson Falls in the third quarter to pull out a District 7B conference victory.

Libby trailed after a quarter but rallied in the second quarter to take a 20-14 lead at half. The Loggers ran away after halftime, outscoring Thompson Falls 13-0 in the frame to build a comfortable lead and roll to the victory.

Libby 7 13 13 14 – 47

T. Falls 8 6 0 15 – 29

LIBBY – Shannon Reny 20, Khalyn Hageness 8, Jayden Winslow 6, Brooklyn Rainer 4, Abby Ennenga 4, Madisen Monigold 3, Emma Gruber 2.

THOMPSON FALLS – Ember Schwindt 14, Haley Wilson 7, Gillian Nelson 4, Lexy Van Elswyk 3, Haley Morgan 1.

Troy 49, Noxon 24

NOXON — Allie Coldwell scored 16 points as the Troy girls rolled Noxon in a nonconference game.

Allie Brown added 11 points and Alyssa Lewis 10 for the Trojans, who led Noxon 17-2 after the first quarter.

Troy 17 7 9 16 – 49

Noxon 2 7 6 8 – 24

TROY – Aurora Becquart 9, Allie Coldwell 16, Kaitlyn Downey 3, Allie Brown 11, Alyssa Lewis 10.

NOXON – Madison Koonce 4, Kamber Torti 3, Phalyn Fickas 1, Delaney Weltz 4, Anna Kaiser 7, Cory Brodmerkle 5.

BOYS

Frenchtown 52,

Columbia Falls 37

FRENCHTOWN — Columbia Falls couldn’t keep pace with Frenchtown in the third quarter, falling behind in a Northwest A conference loss.

Down eight points at halftime, the Wildcats scored just seven points in the third quarter and couldn’t catch up.

Logan Stephens had 10 points to lead Columbia Falls.

Adam Botkin had a game-high 13 points for Frenchtown.

C. Falls 5 10 7 15 – 37

Frenchtown 10 12 12 18 – 52

COLUMBIA FALLS – Austin Green 4, Logan Stephens 10, Quintin Schriver 2, Dakota Bridwell 8, Matthew Morrison 9, DJ Schrade 4.

FRENCHTOWN – Ethan Pyron 9, Jacob Price 9, Brock Rugg 2, Cade Baker 9, Adam Botkin 14, Hank Rugg 3, Austin Means 6.

Troy 59, Noxon 40

NOXON — Dillon Savage had five 3-pointers and scored 25 points to lead Troy past Noxon in a nonconference game.

The Trojans had nine triples as a team, outscoring Noxon 18-8 in both the first and fourth quarters to aid in the rout. Mason Chapel added 12 points for Troy.

Quincy Grupenhoff led Noxon with 10 points.

Troy 18 10 13 18 – 59

Noxon 8 10 14 8 – 40

TROY – Zach Cotten 6, Dillon Savage 25, Tucker Winn 6, Brylee Fruend 2, Noah Caballero 5, Mason Chapel 12, Austin Weideman 3.

NOXON – Logan Wood 7, Ethan Hinrichsen 6, Cody Cable 4, Rylan Weltz 9, Alex Currie 1, Quincy Grupenhoff 10, Aaron Brodmerkle 3.