Vals face defending champ Fairfield

The Bigfork girls basketball team is no stranger to postseason play.

The Valkyries advanced to the state tournament their final three seasons in Class A — 2007-2009 — placing as high as fourth in 2007.

Now they will give the Class B state tournament a shot in Belgrade, starting today. The Valkyries (20-4), the No. 2 seed from Western B, face Fairfield (21-2), the No. 2 seed from Northern B, at 8:30 p.m. It’s the final game in the opening round and against a very talented foe.

Fairfield has won the last two state championships.

“We don’t match up physically with them, they don’t match up quickness wise with us,” Bigfork coach Mark Hansen said of the pairing.

“We’re gonna have to try and outquick them, beat them up and down the floor. They are taller and more physical than we are.”

The contrasting styles should make for an interesting game.

“That Northern Division is good,” Hansen said.

 Malta (23-0) defeated Fairfield in their divisional title game last Saturday, 47-39.

Those two rivals also played for the state title a year ago with Fairfield winning 56-47.

Malta won state titles in 2000 and 2007. Malta opens this year’s tournament 1 p.m. versus Three Forks (16-7).

Based on records, Bigfork is seeded in the toughest bracket. There are five teams in this year’s field having won 20 or more games and three are on Bigfork’s side.

Mallery Knoll has been Bigfork’s offensive leader, averaging 14 points per game. Caitlin Charlebois is next at 10 points. Quinci Paine and Kailey Fierro are both averaging nine.

Paine is pulling down a team-best 6.5 rebounds per game. Fierro is next with 5.5.

The Valkyries will be missing a key player for the season finale. Taylor Peck tore her ACL in semifinal action at the divisional. She was averaging eight points per game.

 “They are anxious to go play again,” Hansen said.

“A couple girls will have to step up in Taylor’s place.”

Two players looking to fill that role are Melissa VanDerveer and McKinze Shults.

“They are doing a good job,” Hansen said.

“They bring a little bit of rebounding (help). Defensively they do some good things. They are not as offensive minded as Taylor. Hopefully we will get some stops and do some things, make up for that loss.”

Class B State Tournament

At Belgrade Special Events Center

Today

1 p.m. — Malta (23-0) vs. Three Forks (16-7)

2:30 p.m. — Missoula Loyola (22-1) vs. Manhattan Christian (19-5)

7 p.m. — Columbus (16-7) vs. Choteau (21-4)

8:30 p.m. — Bigfork (20-4) vs. Fairfield (21-2)