Columbia Falls High School Girls Basketball Season Preview

In his first year at the helm, Head Coach Jeremy Grilley helped guide the Columbia Falls High School Girls Basketball team back to the state tournament for the first time since 2021—and only the second time since 2017. The season, which began with growing pains and early struggles, finished with a powerful run that set a strong foundation for the program’s future. A Tale of Two Seasons Adapting to new offensive and defensive systems took time, and the Wildcats initially sat fourth in their conference midway through the season. But everything began to click late in the year. Columbia Falls won eight of its final ten regular season games, ultimately securing second place in the conference and earning the No. 4 seed in the Divisional Tournament, which led to a trip to the state tournament. "It was a huge success for the school and program," said Coach Grilley. "We brought 15 girls to state, and 9 of them were freshmen and sophomores. That experience was invaluable for our future." A Defining Moment on Senior Night The team’s turning point came in a dramatic Senior Night win over rival Browning. The Wildcats had lost to Browning by 19 points earlier in the year—and hadn’t beaten them in four seasons—but delivered a stunning 15-point victory at home. "That game gave us a massive confidence boost," said Grilley. "It was the perfect way for our seniors to end their high school careers at home." Player Development Powers the Turnaround One of the season's biggest revelations was Alexa Friske. She began the year as the starting point guard for the JV squad but quickly worked her way up to varsity, ultimately claiming the starting PG spot. "She brought poise, confidence, and toughness on both ends of the court," Grilley noted. "Her presence changed the makeup of our team." Senior Leadership Leaves a Lasting Legacy This year’s senior class laid the cultural groundwork for the future. “They showed what it means to lead by example,” said Grilley. “Their sacrifice, drive, and team-first mindset set a great tone for the underclassmen.” Eyes on the Future Coach Grilley isn’t viewing next season as a rebuild. "We’re calling it a retool," he said. With a talented core of freshmen and sophomores returning, the team expects to build on this year's momentum and hit the ground running in 2025–26. Offseason Focus To continue climbing, the Wildcats will emphasize: Shooting development, especially from beyond the arc, as they graduate their top three 3-point shooters Strength training, to better match up with the state’s top physical teams Ball-handling and fundamentals, to elevate their overall game and consistency With a renewed sense of purpose and a rising crop of young talent, the future looks bright for the Columbia Falls girls' basketball.