Girls look to build on last year’s success
Hungry Horse News | UPDATED 1 day, 20 hours AGO
Rylee Sweeney gets a shot up over a Polson opponent during the Wildkats victory last Thursday. Seth Anderson Photo.
The Columbia Falls basketball team’s goal is to get back to the state tournament again this year after a successful run last year.
The Wildkats took 16 girls to state last year and 12 are back, noted head coach Jeremy Grilley. Onnikka Lawrence, Rylee Sweeney, Alexa Friske and Alanis Petersen are all key contributors. Also look for good things from Riley Byrd, Ava Scholz and Peyton Ross.
“We’re more athletic and a lot faster (than last year),” head coach Jeremy Grilley said.
He expects a lot of parity in the league this season, with Bigfork still the conference favorite this year. The Valkyries have won the conference three years in a row.
“They’re the top dog until someone beats them.” Grilley said.
Like the boys, the girls face Dillon and Butte Central in the Northwest-Southwest tip-off tourney in Frenchtown Dec. 12-13.
The following weekend they face Hardin and Miles City in Browning.
Hardin is especially tough.
“Another good test for us to see where we’re at,” Grilley noted.
Their first home game is against Hamilton on Jan. 3 with a 3 p.m. varsity start.
There’s an inter-squad scrimmage on Dec. 6 at home. Girls are at 11 a.m. and boys right after.
Grilley is assisted by T.J. Middlesworth and Heidi Nelson.