Whitefish downs Loggers to tighten Northwestern A
The Western News
In a key game that could’ve created some breathing room for Libby in the Northwestern A standings, Whitefish came up big on its home floor on Saturday in a 58-36 victory over the Loggers.
Columbia Falls, Libby, Polson and Whitefish are all tied in the loss column at two with the regular season’s stretch run in sight.
In the loss to the Bulldogs, Libby had rough stretches in the second and third quarters to fall into a deep hole on the scoreboard. The Loggers led 10-7 after the first and the game remained close until the final two minutes of the second.
“They fell asleep a few times, had a couple of turnovers, missed a few assignments and all of a sudden, we’re down by 10,” Libby coach Wally Winslow said. “That set the tone for the rest of the game.”
The Bulldogs erupted for 23 points in the third quarter en route to the 22-point victory.
“After (halftime), we were playing catch-up and doing some things we weren’t real comfortable doing,” Winslow said. “The game got out of our hands. We had to take some risks and gamble a little bit.”
Joel Fuller scored 14 for the Loggers. Colt Idol poured in 23 for Whitefish.
In a nonconference game at home on Friday, Libby overpowered Class B Eureka, 71-39.
Conner Benson scored 28 points and Colton Cannon added 13 in the Logger victory.
“The JV kids got some minutes … I thought we had some kids that contributed that didn’t have a chance in the past,” Winslow said.
Libby led 34-20 at halftime before going on a 20-8 run in the third quarter to put away the victory.
Andrew Sanders led Eureka with eight points.
The Loggers will play another big matchup in the conference on Thursday at home against Columbia Falls. Libby then hits the road Friday with a trip to Bigfork.
Loggers 71, Lions 39
Friday at Libby
Eureka (39)
Davis 2, Sanders 8, Holder 5, C. Curtis 3.
Libby (71)
Maloney 1, C. Benson 28, May 9, Nelson 4, Fuller 6, Cannon 13.
Bulldogs 58, Loggers 36
Saturday at Whitefish
Libby (36)
C. Benson 2, Fuller 14, Cannon 8, Broden 4, Cislo 8.
Whitefish (58)
Whitehead 8, Tkachyk 6, Roche 2, Backer 6, Hotzfield 5, Silliker 4, Idol 23, FauntLeRoy 4.