Whitefish Girls Punch Divisional Ticket in Rivalry Win

Both Whitefish Basketball teams were back in action, Tuesday night, for the Dog-Cat Rivalry, round 2, this time in Columbia Falls.

These two teams met just 10 days prior and the Whitefish Girls entered the match-up with redemption on the mind.

A lot was on the line in the girls game. Aside from it being their arch rivals, a post-season berth was at stake.

The Lady Dawgs hit the hardwood and opened the game strong. They outscored the Lady Cats in the opening frame to set the pace for the game. Whitefish led 20-8 after one quarter of play.

While the game would slow down after that opening frame, Whitefish played to their pace the whole contest, forcing C-Falls into uncharacteristic turnovers all night.

Like the 1st quarter, the Lady Dawgs closed out the 1st half strong, scoring the final 4 points and took a 29-18 lead into the halftime locker-room.

In the second half, Whitefish continued playing stifling defense and the offensive adjustments from the first meeting to this one showcased the Lady Dawgs ability to adapt and improve. They led by as many as 15 in the game and were up 38-28 in the fourth.

Allie Shors and Reese Hudson each made a clutch 3 in the final frame and witheld the C-Falls pressure to claim victory, 48-38.

Avery Orme led the way for the Dawgs with 19 points. Allie Shors added 18 and Resse Hudson dropped in 10 for Whitefish.

The 3-point shooting from the Dawgs was impressive as they dropped in 6 made 3's (most this season).

This was the first win against C-Falls since 2021, last time they made it to state and just the 2nd win against the Cats since 2009.

With the win the Lady Dawgs have officially clinched a spot in the Divisional Tournament for the first time since 2021.

This marks only the fourth Divisional Tournament appearance for the Whitefish Lady Bulldogs in the past 25 years.

Whitefish isn't done. They still have one more game remaiing, next Tuesday against Polson. If the Lady Dawgs win that game they will secure the No. 2 see out of the Northwest "A" for the Divisional Tourney.

That was just the first of two games played Tuesday night.

The Boys game took to the hardwood for the nightcap.

Whitefish was looking to bounce back from a tough loss against Bigfork while the Cats were looking to keep pace with Ronan at the top of the conference.

Whitefish jumped out to a quick 4-0 lead only for the Cats to answer with a 7-0 run. C-Falls would carry that momentum through the 1st half. The Cats led 18-11 after one quarter. 

The second quarter proved to be the difference in this one as C-Falls outscored Whitefish 16-8 in the frame and took a 34-19 into the intermission.

The second half was evenly played but C-Falls never let the Dawgs cut the game down to single digits. C-Fall led 48-31 after 3. The Dawgs got the score to within 10 late in the 4th but the Cats closed out the game on a 4-0 run the win the contest 63-47.

Jory Hill led the way for C-Falls with 17 points while Bjorn Pederson dropped in 11.

Whitefish was led by Leo Bungener with 16.

Following all the action the Lady Dawgs are now 12-5 on the season, 8-3 in conference play.

The Lady Cats fall to 9-8 overall, 7-4 in league play.

The Whitefish Boys are now 6-11 overall, 2-9 in the conference.

Columbia Falls boys clinch have clinched a spot in the Divisional tourney and now look for the No. 1 seed. They are 13-4, 9-2 in league play.

Up Next: Both Whitefish Basketball teams will close out the regular season next Tuesday, the 24th. Girls at home (Senior Night) Boys on the road.

And now a look at the latest Standings and Playoff implications:

On the girls side:

CONFERENCE PLACE			CONFERENCE RECORD	OVERALL RECORD
		NORTHWEST
1		Bigfork	9-2	12-5
		Whitefish	8-3	12-5
		Columbia Falls	7-4	9-8
		Polson	5-5	9-7
		Browning	5-6	7-10
		Ronan	4-7	5-12
7		Libby	0-11	2-15

Bigfork Girls will be the No. 1 seed out of the Northwest for the Divisional Tournament. They own the tiebreaker over Whitefish

Whitefish clinches the No. 2 Seed with a win over Polson or a C-Falls loss to Bigfork.

Columbia Falls has cliched a top 3 seed as well. They own the tiebreaker over Polson. They've clinched at least the No. 3 seed. Can be the No. 2 seed with a win and a Whitefish loss.

Polson, Browning, Ronan are battling for the No. 4 seed and home court advantage for the Play-In. Winner of the Play-IN is the No. 4 seed for the Divisional Tourney.

Now a look at the Boys Side:

CONFERENCE PLACE			CONFERENCE RECORD	OVERALL RECORD
		NORTHWEST
		Ronan	9-2	14-3
		Columbia Falls	9-2	13-4
		Bigfork	7-4	10-7
		Browning	7-4	10-7
5		Polson	4-6	7-9
6		Whitefish	2-9	6-11
7		Libby	0-11	2-15

On the boys side: Polson, Whitefish and Libby are guaranteed to be in the play-in tourney.

The No. 1 through 4 seeds are still up for grabs. Ronan and C-Falls have both clinched Divisional Tournament spots.

Ronan clinches the No. 1 seed for the Divisional Tourney with a win vs. Libby. They have the tiebreaker over C-Falls.

C-Falls clinches the No. 1 seed with a win against Bigfork and a Ronan loss. They're the No. 2 seed otherwise.

Bigfork owns the tiebreaker over Browning. A win vs. C-Falls and the Vikings clinch the No. 3 seed.

Browning needs a win against Polson and a Bigfork loss to the clinch the No. 3 seed.

Ronan and C-Falls have the 1 and 2 seeds locked up with Browning and Bigfork battling for the 3 and 4 seeds.