Road weary, battle tested

If it seems like its been forever since the Bigfork boys basketball team has played at home - it has been.

The Vikings finished the regular season with six straight road games, then three more in Libby for the district tournament and four more in Pablo for the divisional tournament.

During that stretch, Bigfork fashioned an impressive 10-3 record.

"We got that part down," Bigfork Paul La Mott said of playing away from home.

"That (record) is pretty impressive."

And it might have been a good thing in the long run. This group is battled tested.

The road adventure continues with the Class B state tournament, which gets under way Thursday in Great Falls. Bigfork (18-7) opens play versus Huntley Project (18-7).

Tipoff is set for 8 p.m. It's the final first-round game of the day.

"The expectations - I don't know if they are always in line with reality," La Mott said.

"I thought we did well for the first year (last year). I'm pretty thrilled with what we've done this year."

Bigfork has had to survive some tense moment to advance to March Madness this season.

It had to rally in loser-out action at district to finish third. Then at divisional to place second, the Vikings needed a challenge-game victory over Troy.

"I think we're ready to go and ready see what we can do," La Mott said.

"It was nice to have last week to go over a few areas we're working on. It was a bit of a luxury to have that extra time."

The extra time - a week between divisional and state - was also seen as a plus for starter Carter Sorensen, who injured his knee during the stretch drive.

"He had it operated on, but it was the kind of injury you can come back from pretty quick," La Mott said.

"There was an outside chance he would be back for state."

But La Mott said he was informed Tuesday "it was not possible."

Sorenson was averaging 14 points per game. That was second best on the team behind Christian Ker, 16.5 per game.

"Huntley Project is a tough opponent," La Mott said.

"They have a very, very good point guard. He's the real deal. We will have to limit his ability to score and limit his ability to create opportunities for his teammates to be successful."

La Mott's starting lineup for state - Ker, Travis Knoll, Evan Jordt, Dillon Fraley and Colter Trent.

Rocky Boy, which defeated Shelby 58-49 in last year's final, did not qualify this year.

Shelby has been a finalist three straight years, winning it in 2008.

Huntley Project won state in 2006.

Wolf Point and Florence are also making a return trip to state.