Boys Hoops: C-Falls wins Western A opener

BUTTE — Cody Schweikert scored 16 points, including the tie-breaking bucket with 30 seconds left, and Columbia Falls held on to beat Dillon 51-49 at the Western A Divisional boys basketball tournament Thursday morning.

The Wildcats (13-6) and Beavers (14-5) got the tournament started with a back–and-forth affair at the Butte Civic Center. Jace Hill added 11 points for Columbia Falls, which will face Hamilton in Friday’s 3:30 p.m. semifinal. The Broncs beat Ronan 59-49 in Thursday’s second game.

Later Thursday Bigfork fell to Butte Central 71-55, and Browning defeated Frenchtown by the same 71-55 score. The Maroons (16-3) and Browning (15-4) play Friday’s 5 p.m. semifinal.