Divisional play starts today
The Daily Inter Lake
March Madness is the pinnacle of the basketball year. Thrilling buzzer-beaters, shocking upsets, and dreams simultaneously dashed and brought to fruition make it the most exciting month in sports.
Though we're still more than a week away from turning the calendar page, the Madness comes a little early with the Northwestern A Divisional tournament, which tips off today in Columbia Falls.
The girls side saw its share of upsets last season as neither the No. 1 (Ronan) nor the No. 2 seed (Whitefish) even made it to the championship game in 2005. Instead, No. 3 (Libby) and No. 4 (Polson) battled it out for the divisional title, with the Pirates earning the win.
Though Polson coach Bruce Thomas sure didn't mind the upsets last year, he'd just as soon see the top seeds hold serve this time around - because the Pirates are the top seed.
But none of that matters now.
"I preach to my kids that sports are current events," Thomas said. "We can't worry about what has happened; we have to make things happen."
The Pirates have the talent to make things happen with the dynamic senior duo of 6-2 forward Kara Huyser and point guard Jen Orchard, but they're taking nothing for granted.
Whitefish overcame a slow start to the season and finished second in conference at 7-3, and 12-6 overall. The Bulldogs go into the postseason with a six-game winning streak.
They also have the one player, sophomore Ashley Ferda, that any opposing coach fears. Ferda led the conference in scoring, and if she gets hot, look out.
Polson and Whitefish receive first-round byes.
Bigfork, the No. 3 seed, was off and running in conference play before losing leading scorer Mary Hall to a season-ending knee injury.
Fortunately they will have the services of senior Breana Brendsel, whose ankle injury kept her out of two of those losses. With 6-3 sophomore Alyssa Fierro and senior Whitney Wilson joining Brendsel on the front line, it gives the Vals a fighting chance even without Hall.
"Losing Mary hurt, but we've stressed getting the ball inside now and they've been doing a good job," Bigfork coach Nate Hammond said. "And we move Carly (Hilley) to point guard, and she's done a great job."
Libby has three players - seniors Teri Rebo and Sam Schultz, and sophomore Laice Dedrick - among the conference's top-10 scorers, and enters as the No. 4 seed.
Host Columbia Falls limped toward the finish line after a hot start, but is coming off a win over Bigfork in the season finale. If Callie Spencer keeps up her scoring and Jessica Boyer locates her lost 3-point shot, the Wildkats are dangerous.
No matter who wins, look for four days of exciting hoops in which only one thing is certain.
"Whoever gets hot for a few days is going to make it to state," Thomas said.
Boys
If dealing with top-seed Columbia Falls isn't tough enough, try this on for size.
The Wildcats have only lost once in their gym in the last two seasons.
The lone setback was to a Class AA foe a year ago.
Columbia Falls coach Cary Finberg, however, quickly likes to point out that it can also work against you.
"You can't expect the home court to get you to state," he said.
"That's a quick way to get into trouble."
He's hoping his Wildcats will not have to deal with the second scenario.
Columbia Falls will sit out opening-day action by virtue of its top finish in the league (9-1). Polson (8-2) has the other first-round bye.
The top two teams battle in Saturday's title game at 6:30 p.m., with both teams assured a state berth.
"Polson is playing very good basketball right now," said Finberg.
"Libby has won a few down the stretch. Bigfork is a very dangerous team. I don't think you can count anybody out."
Columbia Falls, after losing at Polson, finished the regular season with two straight wins. The Wildcats have won 13 of the last 14.
Whitefish and Libby split during the regular season. Both outcomes were settled in double digits.
"Columbia Falls and Polson are the clear favorites with the seasons they've had," said Whiefish coach Derek Schulz.
"There are some other teams that can challenge. I think everyone knows that.
"I think we're ready," Schulz continued.
Northwestern A Divisional
At Columbia Falls
Today
Girls
2:30 p.m. - Bigfork (11-7) vs. Ronan (3-15)
8 p.m. - Libby (8-10) vs. Columbia Falls (8-10)
Boys
1 p.m. - Bigfork (7-11) vs. Ronan (0-18)
6:30 p.m. - Whitefish (4-6) vs. Libby (4-6)
Thursday
Girls
2:30 p.m. - Whitefish (12-6) vs. Bigfork/Ronan winner
8 p.m. - Polson (17-1) vs. Libby/Columbia Falls winner
Boys
1 p.m. - Polson (13-6) vs. Bigfork/Ronan winner
6:30 p.m. - Columbia Falls (15-3) vs. Whitefish/Libby winner