Boys basketball: Libby breaks even in first week of conference play

With a variety of weapons in the starting lineup and a deep bench to keep the opposition gasping for oxygen, it was easy to see on Thursday night why the Columbia Falls boys were picked as the preseason favorites in the Northwestern A.

Playing at Ralph Tate Gymnasium in the conference opener for both schools, the Wildcats steadily pulled away to post a 56-25 victory over Libby. As has been the case on more than one occasion this season, the Loggers struggled on the offensive end of the floor.

“If you get 44 looks, you should make more than nine shots,” Winslow said, referring to his team’s 9-for-44 on field goals, which comes out to 20.5 percent. “We had too many forced shots. We have kids who can shoot; it’s just a matter of doing it in a game situation.”

Columbia Falls (1-0, 8-0) had a rough start by its standards with a mere 11 points in the opening eight minutes. Libby was playing exceptional defense to hold the Wildcats to 33 percent shooting.

“We missed on some easy opportunities but also in a low-scoring game, we have to make sure we don’t break down defensively. I thought we played well defensively tonight,” Winslow said.

Still, the Loggers could not get the offense going and made 2-of-9 in the first quarter and 3-of-19 in the second. By the break, Columbia Falls had built a 26-12 lead.

“The kids were all over the court. They executed the things I asked them to do,” Winslow said. “They try hard; that’s all I can ask for.”

Libby didn’t play particularly sloppy with just 12 turnovers – not bad against a team like the Wildcats. But the Loggers didn’t take advantage of several opportunities such as 2-on-1 and 3-on-1 breaks.

Columbia Falls outscored the Loggers, 30-13, in the second half to end up with the 31-point margin of victory. The Wildcats held a 38-23 advantage on the boards and committed seven fewer fouls.

Alex Cislo, who saw limited action bcause of foul trouble, had seven points to finish as the team’s top scorer. Colton Cannon scored five and sank the Loggers’ only 3-pointer on the evening. Nate Broden had a team-high seven rebounds and T.J. Benson chipped in three assists.

Libby 55, Ronan 39

The Loggers quickly evened their record in the conference at 1-1 with a 55-39 victory on Saturday night over Ronan.

The two teams entered the second period tied, 13-13, but the Loggers took control with a 17-2 run to go up 30-15 by halftime.

Kelly May had a big game with six field goals and 6-for-6 free throws for 19 points. May scored eight points and Garrett Craig had six to lead the second-quarter charge.

Libby made six 3-pointers in the game with two apiece by Cree Maloney and Craig. May and Cannon also sank baskets from beyond the arch.

The Loggers (3-4 overall) are scheduled to host Troy on Friday and head to Polson on Saturday.

Columbia Falls 56, Libby 25

Thursday at Libby

COLUMBIA FALLS (56)

Howell 3 0-0 7, Barth 2 1-3 5, Wassam 2 0-1 5, K. Johnson 3 3-4 9, Williams 3 3-4 10, King 0 0-0 0, Spencer 4 0-0 8, Emerson 2 2-2 6, Rocker 1 0-0 2, Calderwood 2 0-0 4, P. Johnson 0 0-0 0, Correa 0 0-0 0. Totals 21 9-14 56.

LIBBY (25)

Benson 0 0-0 0, May 1 1-2 4, Cannon 2 0-0 5, Broden 2 0-0 4, Cislo 3 1-3 7, Maloney 0 4-4 4, Craig 1 0-0 2, Hare 0 0-0 0, Troy 0 0-0 0, Webster 0 0-0 0. Totals 9 6-9 25.

Scoring by Quarters:

Columbia Falls (1-0, 8-0)    11    15    16    14—56

Libby (0-1, 2-4)    6    6    8    5—25

Three-Pointers–Columbia Falls 3 (Howell, Wassam, K. Johnson), Libby 1 (Cannon). Rebounds–Columbia Falls 38 (K. Johnson 11), Libby 23 (Broden 7). Assists–Columbia Falls 10 (Barth 2, Emerson 2, Rocker 2, Calderwood 2), Libby 7 (Benson 3). Total Fouls–Columbia Falls 9, Libby 16. Fouled Out—None. Technical Fouls–None.

Libby 55, Ronan 39

Saturday at Libby

RONAN (39)

Tanner 3 0-0 6, North Piegan 2 0-0 4, Hungerford 1 3-4 5, Black 3 1-2 9, Dustybull 3 0-0 6, Wroblewski 2 0-0 4, Tanner 1 0-0 2, Buckendahl 0 0-0 0, Cheff 0 0-0 0. Totals 16 5-8 39.

LIBBY (55)

Benson 3 0-0 6, May 6 6-6 19, Cannon 1 2-4 5, Broden 0 0-2 0, Cislo 3 1-3 7, Troy 0 0-0 0, Germany 0 1-2 1, Maloney 3 0-0 8, Craig 2 1-2 7, Webster 1 0-0 2, Hare 0 0-2 0. Totals 19 11-21 55.

Scoring by Quarters:

Ronan (0-3, 1-7)    13    2    6    18—39

Libby (1-1, 3-4)    13    17    11    14—55

Three-Pointers–Ronan 2 (Black 2), Libby 6 (Maloney 2, Craig 2, May, Cannon).