Valkyries, Lady Dogs set for state
As the Valkyries chugged home from Belgrade last March, head coach Nate Hammond knew the group was special - and that greatness was on the horizon.
The Bigfork High School girls' basketball team had just placed fourth at state, and a glance at its roster revealed a savvy, immensely-talented nucleus poised to return the following season.
The Valkyries (19-1) have met their lofty expectations this winter, but now comes the big test. The two-time Northwestern A champions battle Central A runner-up Havre today at 2 p.m. in first-round action at the Class A state tournament in Hamilton.
The Blue Ponies (15-6) notched a major upset in Belgrade last year, knocking off previously-undefeated Anaconda in the opening round. Bigfork reached last season's consolation final by thumping Havre, 55-35, in loser-out play.
So, what did the Valkyries take from last year's state tournament, which was won by Miles City?
"I think we learned how difficult the competition was, but we also learned that any team can win it," Hammond said. "We didn't expect Glendive to (finish second) and Livingston to finish third. Any team can win it, and we know we're good enough if we play well."
Bigfork hasn't lost since its season opener against Anaconda, but Havre also hits Hamilton on a high note. Coached by Dustin Kraske, the Blue Ponies punched their ticket to state last week with a 40-28 victory over Lewistown in the Central A divisional challenge game.
According to Hammond, Bigfork and Havre are largely unchanged from last year in terms of personnel and strategy. That favors the Valkyries, who boast a significant size advantage over the Blue Ponies.
Each of Bigfork's six regulars stand at least 5-foot-8, including 6-2 senior post Alyssa Fierro, who averaged 12.4 points, 9.0 rebounds and 4.2 blocks in the regular season.
Senior guard Hattie Bowen (10.8 ppg) is Bigfork's second-leading scorer, just ahead of junior guard Roxy Thurman (10.6 ppg), who averages 3.3 steals.
Senior guard Avery Vogel leads the Valkyries in assists with 6.1 per game, while 5-10 senior forward Jaylee Haveman averages 2.4 steals. Vogel and 6-0 sophomore Kailey Fierro are dangerous shot blockers, combining for about two swats per contest.
"The kids play together and they fit in with each other," Hammond said. "Some kids are shooters and some kids are penetraters. Some kids post up and some kids are defenders.
"They fill their roles real well. When something needs to be done, they know who to look to, and they feed off of each other that way."
Sparked by 5-3 junior point guard Hope Hedges, Havre used a 9-0 fourth-quarter run to pull away from Lewistown. Senior Steph Stremcha, a 5-9 post, scored a team-high 10 points.
"We hope to be able to get into the half-court sets and use our size the same way that we play Whitefish or anybody else in our league that is undersized," Hammond said.
"We don't want to get in a track meet with Havre. They're quick and aggressive like Whitefish is, and we want to keep playing our style of game."
Southwestern A champion Anaconda and Eastern A runner-up Miles City round out Bigfork's half of the bracket.
The Valkyries own a conference-high 41.5 percent shooting clip, and their scoring average of 51.3 points is second only to Whitefish. But Bigfork's greatest asset may be its familiarity with the state stage.
"We have a little better idea of what to expect when we're down there, and I think that's good," Hammond said. "We realize how tough it is when you get down there. No matter who you're playing, you have to play very well to win, and I think the girls know that.
"Up here, in this little corner of the state, you sometimes don't get to see what else is out there, and seeing some of those other teams last year - I think that helps."
The Valkyries never set a goal of going undefeated, and Hammond said their loss to Anaconda may have been beneficial. The defeat forced Bigfork to refocus while raising its play to the elite level that it has sustained throughout the season.
"We lost two games last year (in the regular season), and we felt like if we could do that again, that would be a pretty successful season," Hammond said. "So to have only lost one, we're definitely proud of what we've accomplished so far, but the state tournament is another thing.
"We could have a very successful or very disappointing tournament, and it's kind of a whole new chapter."
The Whitefish Lady Bulldogs are confident and hungry heading into their first state tournament since 2006. Perhaps more importantly, they're battle tested.
The Lady Bulldogs open against Central A champion Livingston tonight at 6. Whitefish's 13-8 record may be the tournament's most misleading mark as six of its losses came against Bigfork, Anaconda and Class AA state contender Flathead.
Whitefish entered the Northwestern A divisional tournament as a No. 3 seed, but went on an impressive tear before falling to Bigfork in a championship thriller.
"We feel pretty good about the teams that we have lost to," second-year Whitefish coach Tim Olson said. "If you can look at the bright side, we've lost to Bigfork three times, Flathead twice and Anaconda once. We've gained valuable experience against quality opponents."
Whitefish is the only team in Hamilton that wasn't in Belgrade last year, but several Lady Bulldogs tasted state play two years ago.
Senior guard Ashley Ferda led Northwestern A in steals (4.5 spg) and free-throw percentage (81.7) this season while ranking second in scoring (15.8 ppg) and assists (5.7 apg). She will suit up for the Montana Lady Grizzlies next winter.
Whitefish's potent arsenal also features junior slasher Kate Klundt (12.4 ppg, 5.7 rpg, 2.3 apg), senior post Amanda Ormsby (6.2 rpg), senior forward Dana Labuda (.7 bpg) and senior guard Chelsea Ray (2.7 apg). Senior guard Desiree Clarke is a defensive terror and capable scorer.
"We've come a long way in our year and a half together," Olson said. "They deserve a chance in the state tournament to soak in the atmosphere and go down and compete against the state's best.
"These kids are ready to play at that level. You get five seniors out there, I think that leadership will really show as far as being on that stage. They won't run out on the floor wide-eyed, they'll be running out on the floor ready to compete and lay it all out on the line."
The Lady Bulldogs last played on Feb. 23, and they have taken advantage of their chance to rest.
"It actually turned out to be a good week to have off last week," Olson said. "We're nursing a few injuries. We passed the flu bug around a little bit last week. It seems we're all over the hump now and healthy going into the state tournament."
Livingston (15-5) beat Havre in last week's Central A divisional championship game to clinch its second straight conference title. Senior Sage Indendi scored a game-high 19 points in that contest, followed by sophomore MaKenzie Scofield with 15.
The Rangers, coached by Scott Nichols, took third at state a year ago.
"We're pretty familiar with them." Olson said. "We did a lot of homework over here the last 10 days.
"We're feeling pretty good about the matchup. They're a fast, physical team, but they won't overpower you down low so much, which is a good matchup for us."
Eastern A champion Glendive and Southwestern A runner-up Dillon complete Whitefish's side of the bracket.
The Lady Bulldogs can gain separation or close gaps against opponents with quick scoring bursts. Whitefish averaged a league-high 54.9 points in the regular season while shooting 41.2 percent from the field and 63.9 percent from the foul line.
Ferda and Klundt may be the most dangerous 1-2 punch at the tournament, but the Lady Bulldogs know grit wins postseason games.
"The biggest thing we pushed all week in practice is to play more physical," Olson said. "At this level, we can't go down there and be pushed around. We've got to be the aggressor.
"It will be a tough road with seven quality opponents down there at the state level. We need to walk in there with some confidence and not back down to anybody."
2008 State Class A
Girls' Basketball Tournament
At Hamilton High School
Today's First Round
12:30 p.m. - Anaconda (Southwestern No. 1) vs. Miles City (Eastern No. 2)
2 p.m. - Bigfork (Northwestern No. 1) vs. Havre (Central No. 2)
6:30 p.m. - Livingston (Central No. 1) vs. Whitefish (Northwestern No. 2)
8 p.m. - Glendive (Eastern No. 1) vs. Dillon (Southwestern No. 2)