The Columbia Falls girls basketball team showed a marked improvement last week, losing a tight game to Flathead 55-49 on Jan. 14. The Wildkats were led by Hope Burlage with 14 and Madison Sandefer with 10.

Down 17-6 after the first quarter, the Kats battled back to make it 21-17 Bravettes ahead at the half. The Kats played solid the rest of the game but fell just short, 55-49.

"It was probably our best overall game as far as competing and playing to win," coach Cary Finberg said. "We got behind in the first quarter, and that was the difference in the game. I'm proud the girls battled back and gave themselves a chance to win."

They had a much tougher time against Frenchtown on Jan. 12.

The Lady Broncs, ranked second in state A, had a big second and third quarter to put the Kats away. The Kats led 10-6 after the first quarter, but lapsed into bad habits - they didn't take shots and weren't aggressive and it cost them, Finberg said.

The girls (2-9, 1-3) will look to double their win total this week as they faced Eureka at home Tuesday after presstime and then will travel to Libby on Thursday.

The girls beat Eureka earlier this year, and Libby has the worst record in the conference.