The Columbia Falls boys basketball team has been playing much better defense and team basketball the past few weeks, and it’s showing in the win column.

The Wildcats walloped Eureka 78-40 at home on Jan. 30. Two days later, they did the same to Libby, 76-31 on the road.

Against the Lions, senior Jared Trinastich had a standout performance with 23 points and 22 rebounds to lead the Cats. He also had four assists, two blocks, two steals and no turnovers.

“You don’t get much better than that,” coach Cary Finberg said. “Regardless of who you played, you worked hard and did a lot of things right.”

The boys shot out to a 20-8 lead.

Eleven Wildcats were in the scoring column after the dust settled.

It was more of the same against the Loggers as the Cats shot out to a 19-5 advantage in the first stanza. The ball sharing proved fruitful as four players were in double figures.

Senior point guard Alex Presnell had 13, followed by Ty Morgan with 12, Trinastich with 11 and Jayce Fagerland, who has been throwing daggers from beyond the three-point arc lately, with 10.

The guards are also doing a good job of taking care of the ball, combining for 14 assists and no turnovers.

The boys are on the road this week with tilts against Bigfork on Thursday night and Polson on Saturday.

The Cats are now 10-3 overall and 4-1 in conference play. Bigfork will be the big test — the Vikings beat the Wildcats 53-42 earlier this season.

In that game, Bigfork’s Christian Evans had his way on the boards and scored 28 points.

The rematch, with the Cats playing much better defense, should be a fun one.

“We’re playing pretty good basketball,” Finberg said.

Columbia Falls 19 17 24 16 - 76

Libby 5 9 12 5 - 31

COLUMBIA FALLS - Alex Presnell 13, Trevor Houston 2, Jayce Fagerland 10, Austin Kimmet 5, Nakia Alexander 9, Ty Morgan 12, Jackson Barta 2, Logan Williams 4, Justice McManus 4, Jared Trinastich 11, Grant Wallace 4.

LIBBY - Jonny Cielak 2, Collin Johnson 4, Jared Winslow 15, Michael Curtiss 5, Quinn Sullivan 5.

Eureka 8 10 8 14 - 40

C. Falls 20 26 16 16 - 78

EUREKA - Myles Griffin 5, Colton Henrie 5, RJ Glover 4, Trey Bohne 18, Chase Bohne 8.

COLUMBIA FALLS - Alex Presnell 11, Trevor Houston 7, Grant Stenger 4, Jayce Fagerland 6, Austin Kimmet 4, Nakia Alexander 9, Ty Morgan 6, Justice McManus 4, Jared Trinastich 23, Grant Wallace 4.