Broncs hang on to beat Wildcats

COLUMBIA FALLS — The Columbia Falls Wildcats mounted a second-half rally that got them as close as six points, but the Frenchtown Broncs hung on to win 65-56 in Class A nonconference boys basketball action.

Frenchtown led by 13 at the half and Columbia Falls continued to shave away at the Broncs’ lead with a 22-point third quarter.

Jace Hill poured in 24 points for the Wildcats – though it wasn’t a career or season high for him. Hill scored 28 against Browning last week.

Cade Morgan scored 17 and Allec Knapton added 12 points and nine rebounds for Columbia Falls (5-4 overall, 3-2 conference).

Brandon Finley paced the Broncs (7-1, 2-0) with 19 points, and Wyatt Hayes added 13.

Frenchtown 15 15 19 16 – 65

Columbia Falls 3 14 22 17 – 56

FRENCHTOWN – Kellen Klimpel 3, Wyatt Hayes 13, Brandon Finley 19, Tel Arthur 7, Connor Michaud 4, Devon Shelton 11, Jeff Jacobs 2, Carson Shepard 6.

COLUMBIA FALLS – Cade Morgan 17, Alihn Anderson 3, Jace Hill 24, Allec Knapton 12.

Whitefish 67, Eureka 49

EUREKA — Talon Holmquist’s 17 points led three Whitefish players in double figures as the Bulldogs steadily pulled away for a non-conference win Tuesday.

Bodie Smith added 16 points and Jayce Cripe 15 for the Northwestern A Bulldogs (2-5). All of Cripe’s points came on 3-pointers.

Danny Dunn’s 13 points led the Western 7-B Lions (2-5).

Whitefish 18 17 16 16 - 67

Eureka 11 12 16 10 - 49

WHITEFISH - Bodie Smith 16, Logan Colnklin 3, Marvin Kimera 4, Jayce Cripe 15, Talon Holmquist 17, Cody Bertry 2, Orion Moore 1, Fynn Ridgeway 7, Jaxsen Schlauch 2.

EUREKA - Joey Kindel 10, Danny Dunn 13, Colter Casazza 1, TJ Carr 9, Hazen Bohn 4, Gavin Bates 8, Corbin Hurst 4.

Bigfork 52, Mission 39

BIGFORK— Walker Fisher and Bryce Gilliard scored 10 points each and Bigfork won a defensive battle in Western 7B boys’ basketball action Tuesday.

Gilliard hit two 3-pointers and Levi Taylor also tallied six points in the first quarter while the Vikings (4-2 overall, 2-1 in league) raced to an 18-9 lead.

Kellen McClure, Ross McPherson and Zoran LaFrombois all notched eight points for the Bulldogs (4-3, 1-2), who were held to a season-low.

Mission 9 13 9 8 - 39

Bigfork 18 10 11 13 - 52

MISSION - Layne Spidel 4, Isaiah Nasewytewa 3, Ross McPherson 8, Kellen McClure 8, Zoran LaFrombois 8, Javon Bolen 2, John Komotios 6.

BIGFORK - Cormac Benn 8, Walker Fisher 10, Levi Taylor 8,. Bryce Gilliard 10, Collin Sade 6, Isak Epperly 5, Dane Hansen 4, Kyle Folwick 1.