It's been a pretty special run for Columbia Falls on the hardcourt regarding Northwestern A play.

The Wildkats finished up the current campaign last weekend with an 8-0 mark. Last year the Wildkats were 7-1 and 9-1 the year before that.

Believe it or not, that betters the boys record during that same stretch. The Wildcats went 7-1 this year, 8-0 last year and 5-5 in 2009-2008.

"It's been a nice, long run with these young ladies," Columbia Falls coach Dan Fairbank said.

"They've been working real hard. It's been an enjoyable season thus far."

Fairbank and the Wildkats hope it continues.

Kayla DeWit, a 6-foot-2 senior center, and Dani Gilley, a 5-8 senior guard, are two key figures in the team's high rate of success the last three season.

"They have started for three years," Fairbank said.

"Dani has matured so well into a great point guard. She handles the ball, reads the defenses. She rarely gets more than 2-3 turnovers a game.

"Kayla has had to rely a lot more on herself (this year). Her 6-foot-2 sister took a lot of pressure off her (in previous seasons). Now she has to focus on herself. She's done a nice job looking for her shot."

DeWit remains of the steadier players around, hitting 20 points and pulling down 12 rebounds per game despite some nagging leg issues.

"Both her feet still hurt, and she has some ankle injuries," Fairbank said.

"We try to take it easy on her during the week."

The Wildkats again have the top seed and a first-round bye for the divisional tournament, which begins today in Ronan at the Event Center. The Wildkats will face the Ronan/Whitefish winner on Friday at 6 p.m.

Ronan and Whitefish kick off the girls portion of the tournament today with an 8 p.m. game.

Libby and Polson also have first-round byes. They square off Friday at 8 p.m.

"I think there are at least three teams that can be playing (for the divisional championship)," Fairbank said.

"Jim May does a phenomenal job with those girls in Libby. Randy Kelley has another quality program (this year in Polson). Ronan and Whitefish might be a little down, but if they get their confidence going, the tournament could be up in the air. There are no gimmies."

And the same can be said for the boys field.

"Much better than it was last year," Columbia Falls coach Cary Finberg said of this year's divisional lineup.

"The games have been a lot closer this year (during the regular season). Top to bottom, the teams are better."

The Columbia Falls boys, who have a first-round bye, will play the Libby/Ronan winner on Friday at 2 p.m. Libby and Ronan face off today at 6 p.m.

Polson and Whitefish also have first-round byes. They will meet Friday at 4 p.m.