Propelled by a strong first half, Dillon defeated Columbia Falls 54-39 Saturday night in the Class A boys basketball championship at the Butte Civic Center.
Columbia Falls is now 4-2 in title games under head coach Cary Finberg, with both losses coming to Dillon. The Beavers beat Columbia Falls 54-50 in the 2009 Class A championship game. Last year, Columbia Falls defeated Dillon 55-43 to claim the title.
The Beavers jumped out to a 27-14 halftime lead Saturday night and then outscored Columbia Falls 21-17 in the third quarter to add to their already sizable lead. The Wildcats were unable to mount a magical comeback in the fourth quarter.
Wes Knox and Ben Folsom led Dillon (21-2) in scoring with 15 points apiece. J.T. Linder had 12 for the Beavers.
Austin Barth was the only Wildcat in double figures with 10 points. The Wildcats finish the season with a 19-4 record.
The Beavers and Wildcats have combined to win seven out of the last 10 Class A championships. Columbia Falls won titles in 2003, 2005, 2006 and 2011. Dillon won in 2007, 2009 and this year.