Bigfork fends off challenge
Bigfork senior Christian Ker puts up a shot over Troy's Ryan Rayson (5) during the final minutes of the Vikings' Monday night challenge game against Troy in the Western B Divisional Tournament in Pablo. Bigfork won the contest 57-39 and retained its berth at the Class B State Tournament, which will be played March 10-12 in Great Falls.
PABLO - Challenge averted and bound for state.
The Bigfork Vikings used a big second half to defeat Troy 57-39 in a Class B challenge game on Monday night.
Bigfork (18-7 overall) advances to the state basketball tournament for the first time since 2002, when the program played in Class A.
The Vikings play the second seed from Southern A in the opening round at 8 p.m. on Thursday in Great Falls.
"It was a game of huge proportions for us. We're trying to build this program here and we haven't been to a state tournament in nine years and we're thrilled," Bigfork second-year coach Paul La Mott said.
Sophomore Colter Trent scored a career-high and game-high 18 points and Bigfork outscored the Trojans 31-16 in the final two quarters. Christian Ker had 11 points and seven rebounds, Ben Sandry added six points and five rebounds and Travis Knoll chipped in five points and five rebounds. Ian Lorang scored eight.
"We were able to come back in the second half and play our game, which was more intensity on defense," La Mott said. "Then in the fourth quarter everything just started to finally click for us offensively and defensively."
The Vikings' second leading scorer Carter Sorenson is out with an injury but La Mott said he might be able to return for state.
Bigfork, who lost to Florence in the Western B divisional title game on Saturday, avenged a recent loss to Troy when the Trojans beat the Vikes in the District 7B tournament.
"As it worked out we had to play an extra game to earn it," La Mott said.
"I couldn't be happier with our guys. At the end of the day, we're doing something pretty special."
Evan Jordt scored four points, Dillon Fraley had two and Kyle Hauns added three.
Troy 14 9 10 6 - 39
Bigfork 19 7 14 17 - 57
TROY - Cory Orr 4 2-2 11, Ryan Rayson 3 7-7 14, Cody Orr 0 1-3 1, Kody Hoffman 1 2-2 4, Trent Cratty 4 0-0 9, Creede Garcia 0 0-0 0, Jeffrey Rebo 0 0-0 0. Totals: 12 12-14 39.
BIGFORK - Colter Trent 6 4-4 18, Evan Jordt 2 0-1 4, Travis Knoll 1 3-4 5, Ben Sandry 3 0-0 6, Christian Ker 4 3-5 11, Ian Lorang 2 4-4 8, Cody Dopps 0 0-0 0, Ryan Gembala 0 0-0 0, Jackson Boese 0 0-0 0, Dillon Fraley 1 0-0 2, Kyle Hauns 1 1-2 3. Totals: 19 15-20 57.
3-point goals - Troy 3 (Cor. Orr, Rayson, Cratty), Bigfork 2 (Trent). Totals fouls - Troy 15, Bigfork 16. Fouled out - Hoffman.