Girls look to regroup for tourney
CHRIS PETERSON | Hagadone News Network | UPDATED 1 week, 1 day AGO
Rylee Sweeney with a block against Bigfork.
Chris Peterson is the editor of the Hungry Horse News. He covers Columbia Falls, the Canyon, Glacier National Park and the Bob Marshall Wilderness. All told, about 4 million acres of the best parts of the planet. He can be reached at [email protected] or 406-892-2151. | February 25, 2026 6:45 AM
The Columbia Falls girls basketball team’s regular season ended on a low note with two conference losses.
The Wildkats lost to rival Whitefish 48-38 at home Feb. 17, and then to Bigfork Friday night by the exact same score.
The Kats take third in the Northwest A conference with a 7-5 league record and a 9-9 record overall.
Coach Jeremy Grilley noted the girls didn’t rebound or shoot very well in either loss. They have a week to regroup as they’ll face Frenchtown in the opening round of the Western A Divisional tourney on March 4 in Hamilton.
Against Whitefish Onnikka Lawrence had 18 to lead the Kats, but no else was in double figures. The Kats only had seven offensive rebounds in the loss.
Against Bigfork, Lawrence had 13 and Rylee Sweeney 12 in the loss. It was a tight game heading into the half, but Bigfork pulled away in the second half.
Peyton Ross, who brings a ton of energy to the court, got into foul trouble early in both games, and it was a problem.
Coach Jeremy Grilley said she’s a tough player to replace, but the Kats have to get better at it.
“We’ve got to be able to rally and pick up the slack,” he said.
He said the team is more than capable of playing with anyone in the conference, but they have to be more disciplined and have better shot selection.
When they play sound basketball – rebound well and have patience with their shots, they can beat just about anyone.
They beat Whitefish by nearly 30 earlier this season.
Still, Grilley likes their chances at the divisional tourney. They played Frenchtown tough earlier this season and the consolation bracket still sets them up favorably for a shot at state, as the top four go. They could be looking at another showdown with Whitefish if the bracket plays out.
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