Whitefish girls beat C-Falls, will play for 3rd place

GREAT FALLS — The Whitefish Lady Bulldogs broke a 13-year long losing streak to the Columbia Falls Wildkats on Friday at the State A girls’ basketball tournament by beating the Wildkats 46-38 in the consolation semifinals.

Whitefish moves on to the consolation game today at 1 p.m., where it could break another streak by bringing home a trophy from the state tournament. That drought dates back 18 years to 2003 (the Bulldogs were runner-up to champion Dillon that year). The Bulldogs will face defending co-champion Hardin, who defeated Hamilton 53-29 Friday afternoon.

In 2008, Whitefish beat Columbia Falls in the Western A divisional and qualified for State A — the last time it did so, before this season. Columbia Falls did not go to state that year.

The Wildkats were 20-0 before a loss to the Havre Blue Ponies in the semifinals, where they bounced into the same loser-out bracket as Whitefish.

“We thought going into this one we could compete with them,” Whitefish coach Bob Bolam said.

Columbia Falls jumped out to a 13-8 lead after the first quarter, but Whitefish closed to within four (24-20) by the half. Neither team shot well from the field — Columbia Falls was at just under 28 percent for the game and Whitefish 26.7 percent — so it was no surprise that free throws made the difference.

“Our girls did well keeping their composure and doing the things they’ve been doing this year,” Bolam said.

Mikenna Ells made eight of her 10 tries at the line, Ashton Ramsey five of six and Gracie Smyley 3 of four.

Ells paced Whitefish with 15 points. Bolam said Columbia Falls left Ells open to shoot in previous games this season (the Wildkats won both), so Whitefish took advantage of that and set Ells loose. Ells also had three steals and three assists.

“Mikenna stepped right up,” Bolam said. “She was the player of the game for us.”

Smyley added nine points, including two threes and Brook Smith scored six. Ramsey had five points.

“I told our girls before the playoffs started — they’re ambassadors for the program, to put Whitefish on the map for basketball,” Bolam said. “What we did here at state totally puts a bow on that.”

Columbia Falls 13 11 7 7 – 38

Whitefish 8 12 14 12 – 46

COLUMBIA FALLS – Maddie Robison 12, Clarissa Erb 10, Grace Gedlaman 6, Hope McAtee 2, Hannah Schweikert 8.

WHITEFISH – Jadi Walburn 5, Taylor Means 6, Ashton Ramsey 5, Mikenna Ells 15, Gracie Smyley 9, Brook Smith 6.