RONAN — Top-ranked Columbia Falls held off a determined effort by Libby Friday night to claim a 38-30 Northwestern A divisional girls basketball semifinal victory at the Ronan Events Center.

Libby outscored the Wildkats 21-8 in the fourth quarter to make for a tense finish.

Columbia Falls (16-3) led 19-5 at the half.

Haley Belgarde tallied 11 points to pace Columbia Falls. Hannah England had 11 points for Libby (4-16).

In the other semifinal matchup, Frenchtown (15-4) used a fast start to get the upper hand and gradually pulled away for a 46-33 win over Polson (7-12).

Vanessa Stavish led Frenchtown, and all scorers, with 13 points.

Heidi Rausch had 10 to lead Polson.

Columbia Falls and Frenchtown square off tonight at 8 in the championship game.

Girls

Libby 3 2 4 21 — 30

Columbia Falls 9 10 11 8 — 38

LIBBY — Hannah England 11, Hailey Craig 9, Dayln Germany 6, Devon Gallagher 4.

COLUMBIA FALLS — Haley Belgarde 11, Hope Burlage 9, Andrea Getts 8, Winter Kemppainen 6, Tori Price 2, Shannon Hay 2.

Polson 8 4 12 9 — 33

Frenchtown 14 10 10 12 — 46

POLSON — Heidi Rausch 10, Mackenzie Banner 9, Anna DiGiallonardo 4, Malia Hamel 3, Hallie Hovenkotter 3, Jessica Bagnell 2, Tegan Bauer 2.

FRENCHTOWN — Vanessa Stavish 13, Kayla Blood 9, Holly Jacobs 8, Abby Indreland 7, Larissa Berg 5, Kenzie Reid 3, Alli Moe 1.

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Today

Loser Out

10:30 a.m. — Polson vs. Whitefish

Third Place

4 p.m. — Libby vs. Polson/Whitefish winner

Championship

8 p.m. — Columbia Falls vs. Frenchtown

Boys

RONAN — Luke Kaslauskas tallied 16 points while Trevor Houston, Austin Martin, Alex Presnell and Ty Morgan all had seven each to guide Columbia Falls to a 51-40 semifinal victory over Polson at the Northwestern A divisional tournament.

Polson led 7-4 after eight minutes of play, but Columbia Falls (14-5) outscored the Pirates 35-23 in the next two quarters to gain the edge.

Cedrick Smith had 14 points for Polson (7-13).

In the other semifinal contest, Frenchtown finished strong in the fourth quarter to slip past Whitefish 57-53.

Whitefish (11-8) was up by one, 45-44, heading into the fourth quarter.

Kyle Cyr had 18 points and John Chapman 15 for Frenchtown (10-9).

Logan Harwood tallied 14 points for Whitefish.

Columbia Falls and Frenchtown play in the title game tonight at 6.

Polson 7 14 9 10 — 40

Columbia Falls 4 18 17 12 — 51

POLSON — Cedrick Smith 14, Hayden Congdon 11, Riley Sampson 7, Derek Peel 4, Andrew Weltz 2, Will Davey 2.

COLUMBIA FALLS — Luke Kazlauskas 16, Trevor Houston 7, Austin Martin 7, Alex Presnell 7, Ty Morgan 7, Jared Trinastich 6, Colin King 1.

Frenchtown 13 11 20 13 — 57

Whitefish 13 17 15 8 — 53

FRENCHTOWN — Kyle Cyr 18, John Chapman 15, Matt Price 10, Levi Shepard 7, Bridger Truett 4, Daniel Lebsock 3.

WHITEFISH — Logan Harwood 14, E.J. Havens 9, Cooper Olson 9, Jace Kalbfleisch 8, Art Doorn 4, Keaton Nicholson 6.

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Today’s Schedule

Loser Out

9 a.m. — Whitefish vs. Libby

Third Place

2 p.m. — Polson vs. Whitefish/Libby winner

Championship

6 p.m. — Columbia Falls and Frenchtown