A Season of Growth and Grit: Columbia Falls Girls Basketball’s Inspiring 2025 Campaign
For the Columbia Falls High School Girls Basketball team, the 2025 season marked more than just a return to state competition—it marked the beginning of a new era. Under the direction of Head Coach Jeremy Grilley, in his first year at the helm, the Wildkats navigated early adversity, found their identity late in the season, and made an inspiring postseason run that re-energized the program and its community.
While the season began with uncertainty and tough losses, the team’s evolution—driven by leadership, resilience, and a surge of young talent—became the hallmark of the 2025 campaign.
A Challenging Start Turns Into a Strong Finish
Coming into the season with a brand-new coach, a new offensive and defensive system, and players adjusting to different roles, the Wildkats faced understandable growing pains early on. The first half of the regular season was marked by close contests and disappointing results, and the team found itself sitting fourth in its conference standings.
But the second half of the season told a completely different story.
“We really started finding our groove,” said Coach Grilley. “We ended up winning 8 of our last 10 games and finished the regular season in second place in our conference.”
That turnaround wasn’t just about numbers—it was about belief. A newfound confidence began to take root, and the Wildkats entered the divisional tournament on a hot streak, eventually claiming the fourth seed and punching their ticket to the state tournament—the school’s first trip since 2022 and only the second since 2017.
Making it to state was a milestone achievement, and perhaps most exciting was the makeup of the roster: of the 15 players who made the trip, 9 were freshmen or sophomores. The experience those young players gained on a statewide stage will be invaluable in the seasons ahead.
A Defining Moment: Senior Night Against Browning
One game that symbolized the team's growth came on Senior Night, when Columbia Falls hosted conference rival Browning. The significance of this match couldn't be overstated: the Wildkats had never beaten Browning in the four years their seniors had been on the team. Earlier in the season, they had lost to them by 19 points on the road.
But on Senior Night, everything came together.
“We ended up beating them by 15,” said Coach Grilley. “It secured the second-place seed in our conference and was a huge confidence boost for us.”
For the five seniors on the roster, it was a perfect way to end their home careers—redeeming a long-standing rivalry and securing a key postseason advantage. The win became a turning point, proving to the players and community that the Wildkats were back and here to compete.
A Breakout Player: Alexa Friske
While many players stepped up throughout the season, one standout story was that of Alexa Friske. Starting the season as the JV starting point guard, Friske’s tenacity and skill quickly earned the attention of the coaching staff. She practiced with energy, competed fiercely, and seized every opportunity.
Eventually moved to varsity full-time, Friske didn’t just join the rotation—she claimed the starting point guard role. Her poise and toughness on both ends of the floor became a crucial piece of the team’s identity during the final third of the season.
“She brought such great poise, confidence, and toughness,” Coach Grilley said. “She really changed the makeup of our team.”
Her emergence was symbolic of the season itself: growth through perseverance and trust earned through hard work.
A Senior Class That Set the Standard
This year’s senior class brought more than statistics to the court—they brought leadership, sacrifice, and an unwavering will to win. Their four-year journey culminated in a playoff push that changed the trajectory of the program and created a legacy that the underclassmen now have the responsibility—and the inspiration—to carry forward.
“They really set a great foundation for our program,” said Coach Grilley. “They showed up every day with a team-first mindset.”
Their contributions, both on and off the court, will be felt for years to come.
The Future Is Now
Despite graduating five seniors, the outlook for next season is anything but dim. With a deep group of returning underclassmen—including many who already have state tournament experience—the Wildkats are positioned to reload rather than rebuild.
“I don’t see next season as a rebuild season, but as a retool season,” said Coach Grilley. “We’re just going to grow from what we learned and hit the ground running.”
The abundance of young talent—particularly in the freshman and sophomore classes—provides the coaching staff with the kind of depth and versatility that can be molded into a championship-caliber team. With a strong core returning, expectations will be high, and for good reason.
The Offseason Plan: Sharpen the Tools
As successful as the 2025 season was, Coach Grilley is already looking ahead to what needs to be improved. At the top of his list? Shooting.
“We’re losing our top three 3-point shooters,” he explained. “We’ll need kids to step up to spread the floor for us offensively.”
Another major focus will be strength and conditioning. The top teams in the state are bigger and more physical, and the Wildkats aim to match that toughness. Hitting the weight room and building physical strength will be a major offseason priority.
Fundamentals like ball-handling and overall basketball IQ will also receive attention, ensuring that next year’s team is not only talented but technically sharp and mentally tough.
Building a Culture
Beyond the wins and the tournament runs, the biggest success of the 2025 season may be the culture shift that began under Coach Grilley’s leadership. Through growing pains, close games, and tough matchups, the Wildkats built an identity—one defined by hard work, unity, and belief.
With a foundation now in place and a talented group of underclassmen hungry for more, the future is bright in Columbia Falls. The Wildkats have proven that they belong on the state’s biggest stage—and they’re just getting started.
If you’re looking to follow the stats and track next year’s rising stars, keep your eyes on Columbia Falls. A new chapter has begun, and it’s one full of promise.
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