In a 1-2-3 punch, the Loggers knocked out Columbia Falls on their home court Saturday, 55-48, working together to score a Northwestern A victory.

"It was a defensive battle the whole way," coach Wally Winslow said, "but we made enough plays down the stretch to win."

Bryan Cooper led the Loggers with 16 points, with Joel Fuller right behind him at 15. Jim Mee provided 12 points to help clinch the victory.

"It was a great team effort," said Winslow. "A lot of the kids did some good things," he said.

When pressed to name names, the Logger coach didn't hesitate.

"Bryan Cooper and Joel Fuller scored well for us," he said. "Zack Rowan rebounded the ball better than he has all season - he can get to the ball faster than a lot of the kids we play against."

Winslow noted because of the team's hard work, Columbia Falls' defense centered on shutting down Jim Mee didn't work.

"Every team we play gears up to stop Jimmy because he's one of the best players in the state," said Winslow. "That's why it's so important for our other kids to step up and play."

Winslow said the team has improved overall, adding that it's the small steps the Loggers are starting to make that wins the games.

"Every game we've played, we've been competitive, but didn't make the little plays - this time we did those things - like rebounded better.

"That's what has to happen," he said. "And that's to Jim's benefit, because pretty soon teams are going to guard everybody - the hardest thing to defend is a whole team."

Winslow said the conference is still wide open as far as what place they'll end up.

"We could win the league or we could take fifth," he said, adding it will depend on the next two weekends.

"Hopefully we can continue to improve, because once it's tournament time, the show is up."