Hoops preview: Northwest A looks to soar

The Columbia Falls Wildkats are ready to make a run, the Bigfork Valkyries are wanting to show that they have the talent to compete at the Class A level, and Whitefish is ready to take the next step.

The Northwest A basketball season is just underway, and Columbia Falls returns a strong group of girls as they look to get back to the state tournament.

Head coach Cary Finberg knows that the road to the postseason isn’t easy for his team, as the Wildkats open the season with 10 games on the road. Columbia Falls won’t take the floor at home until Jan. 20..

“We feel like the first week of the season was not an indication of how we can play,” said Finberg on the team’s 1-2 record.

Columbia Falls will rely on the play of Hope McAtee, a two-time All-State selection, and Taryn Borgen, a second team All-Conference selection, to lead the team.

“Every year our goal is to get to the state tournament, and get better every day,” said Finberg, “and hopefully we reach our goal at the end of the year.”

Down in Bigfork, the Valkyries are coming off of an undefeated season and a state championship, but that was all in Class B. 

This season Bigfork faces new challenges in Class A, but the goal is still the same according to head coach Cortnee Gunlock.

“Make it to state, and be able to place,” said Gunlock, who’s team sits at 2-1. “We ran into some teams that are a lot bigger than us.” 

The Valkyries will rely on their starting five a lot this season, including junior Braeden Gunlock — who just scored her 1,000th point during the team’s opening weekend in Frenchtown.

“(We need to) develop younger players, need some depth as we go through the season,” said Coach Gunlock.

Ava Davey and Paeten Gunlock will also be players to watch this season as they share ball-handling duties in the backcourt.

The Whitefish Bulldogs come into the new season with four returning starters on the squad and a 2-1 record.

“We want to compete at a higher level and see if we can make our way into the divisional tournament and have a chance to go to state,”said head coach Bob Bolam.

To get there the Bulldogs will rely on seniors Bailey Smith — the team's leading scorer last season — and Hailey Ells, who has 15 assists in three games. Seniors Ainsley Scott and Jude Perry round out the four returning starters from last season.

The Browning Lady Indians look to make the state tournament for the third straight season. To do so they will look to two All-Conference selections from last year seniors Jerel Whitegrass, Kalcie Connelly, and honorable mention senior Amari Calf Robe-Thomas.

Polson looks to seniors Julia Barnard and Zaylyn Morgan on the outside, and senior McKenna Hanson inside as the Pirates look to make waves this season.

Ronan is led by a pair of seniors: Ernastine Tapia-Torosian and Nikki Kendall.

The Libby Loggers will see seniors Ellie Andreessen and Jossalyn White lead the squad.

BOYS

Columbia Falls looks to make a second straight trip to the state tournament in 2024. The Wildcats are coming off of a Northwest A title last year, and only lost one senior from that squad. However, injuries have put Columbia Falls behind the eight-ball early.

“We are not healthy, a couple of guys with broken legs from football season,” coach Chris Finberg said.

The Wildcats sit at 0-3 following a pair of one-point losses to Dillon and Hamilton and a loss to defending Class B champions, Missoula Loyola.

“We want to get back (to state) and compete and do some damage, compete for a state championship,” said Finberg.

Columbia Falls will look to do so behind senior guard Jace Hill, a four-year starter and three-time All-State selection.

Joining Hill are fellow seniors Alihn Anderson and Cody Schweikert, who helped lead the WIldcats football team to the state championship game recently.

A few miles west in Whitefish, the Bulldogs head into the season with a new sense of confidence in head coach Alex Gonzalez’ second season.

“Last year, we went in blind,” said Gonzalez. “I accepted the position not knowing one kid on the team.”

This season Gonzalez says he is building off the foundation that last season set and hopes to see his players compete. The Bulldogs have four players who saw major minutes return this season, and welcome Carson Gulick, a transfer from Glacier..

“I feel like we can do a lot more this year than we did last year,” said Gonzalez. “We could be really successful.”

Whitefish sits at 2-1 following a loss to Frenchtown and a pair of 30-plus point victories at the tip-off tournament over the weekend.

The Bulldogs will rely on floor general junior CJ Thew and seniors Mason Genovese, Carson Krack, and Mason Kelch.

Bigfork, in its return to the Class A level, sees a senior-laden roster competing against new competition this season.

The VIkings will be led by seniors Elijah Thorness and Cole Knopik, and sophomore Asher Knopik.

Browning looks to the senior leadership of Isiah Running Rabbit, Tommy Running Rabbit and Thomas Young Running Crane for this season.

Ronan and new head coach George Sherwood will rely on seniors Ted Coffman and Marlo Tonasket.

Polson seniors Brock Henriksen and Ezra Fasthorse will be a pair to watch when the Pirates take the court.

Libby will look to a pair of senior forwards in Cy Williams and David Beck.