VanDerveer lifts Vals over Deer Lodge

HAMILTON — Melissa VanDerveer, a 5-foot-7 senior forward, carried the load for Bigfork with a 14-point, 14-rebound performance Monday evening to help the Valkyries knock off Deer Lodge 36-32 in a Western B divisional girls basketball challenge game.

The victory advances VanDerveer and third-ranked Bigfork (19-4) to the Class B state tournament March 8-10 in Hamilton. The Valkyries will be the No. 2 seed from this divisional.

Fifth-ranked Missoula Loyola (18-5), which beat Bigfork 48-39 on Saturday night in the divisional final, is the No. 1 seed.

The challenge game with Deer Lodge was tight the entire way.

Bigfork held a slim 8-6 advantage after the first period and went to the locker room at the half up 21-15.

The Valkyries, however, led by just two, 27-25, heading into the fourth quarter.

Shelby Applegate topped Deer Lodge (15-9) with eight points.

Neither team made a 3 in the contest and both struggled at the free-throw line — Deer Lodge was 10 of 21 and Bigfork went 12 for 25.

Deer Lodge 6 9 10 7 — 32

Bigfork 8 13 6 9 — 36

DEER LODGE — Lacie Thomas 2-4 0-0 4, Marisa McKee 2-3 2-2 6, Shelby Applegate 3-10 2-5 8, Cassy Graveley 1-3 2-2 4, Bailee Senecal 3-10 0-2 6, Delaney Knuchel 0-1 0-0 0, Michele Christnacht 0-7 2-8 2, Shayla Therriault 0-2 2-2 2, Dani Walker 0-6 0-0 0. Totals 11-46 10-21 32.

BIGFORK —– McKinze Shults 2-5 3-6 7, Shelby Scoggins 2-2 0-0 4, Taylor Peck 0-8 2-5 3, Melissa VanDerveer 5-8 4-8 14, Tessa Robertson 2-5 2-5 6, Stevi Siloti 0-0 0-0 0, Marriah Bradstreet 0-0 0-0 0, Riley Coleman 1-2 0-1 2. Totals 12-30 12-25 36.

3-point goals – Deer Lodge 0-6, Bigfork 0-7. Total fouls – Deer Lodge 22, Bigfork 17. Fouled out – Walker, Robertson. Rebounds – Deer Lodge 30 (McKee 9), Bigfork 38 (VanDerveer 14).