In a close game with a patient opponent, defense is often the difference between going home happy and going home grumpy.
As they’ve demonstrated repeatedly in recent weeks, the Cats love pestering opponent offenses with a frustrating combination of traps and half court presses.
Saturday night, that defense and a timely 3-point play in the paint by Grant Getts (44) turned a late 2nd half Polson lead into a Columbia Falls win, 53-47.
Chase Grilley (33) appears to lay his hand on the ball held by Polson’s Zach Langston. Langston was also being pursued by Mitchell Wasson, Zane Ridings (21) and Mackey Nolan.
Late in the game, Chase Fairbank (10) leans into his dribble as he leaves the backcourt, pursued by Polson’s John Rausch.
A moment later, Rausch manages to reach around and slap the ball out of Fairbank’s dribble.
The rest of this play had the ball bouncing all over the court, resulting what looked like a fumble recovery sequence at mid-court.
Mackey Nolan (22) finds pressure as the defense collapses on him in the paint.
During the 4th quarter defensive stand that turned the game around, Getts (44), Grilley (33), Fairbank (10) and Michael Williams (45) apply defensive pressure while SD6 Superintendent Michael Nicosia (far right) observes at close range.