Bigfork girls trip Blue Hawks
<p>Bigfork junior Riley Coleman (right) steals the ball from Thompson Falls senior guard Erica Sorlie Thursday night during a District 7B tournament semifinal game at Bigfork. </p>
BIGFORK — In what started as a sloppy game, the No. 8 Bigfork girls (15-4) were able to regain control to beat Thompson Falls (10-8) 57-40 in the District 7B basketball tournament semifinals on Thursday.
Both teams struggled with turnovers in the early going, as the Blue Hawks stifled Bigfork’s attempts to get the ball in the post by extending their zone defense.
The Valkyries started to show glimpses of their prolific offense that trounced Thompson Falls by 48 points last week, opening up the second quarter with a 6-0 run to lead 13-6, but closed the half with just a one-point lead as the Blue Hawks continued to hang around.
“I think we started a little timid in the game,” Bigfork coach Mark Hansen said. “We tried to play with a little pressure and loosen our girls up, but they kind of started a little timid.
“They extended the 2-3 zone and we made some adjustments. I don’t think my shooters really looked to shoot the first half. I thought they did in the second half and that led to big dividends.”
The dividends paid off as the Vals started to hit from midrange in the third quarter. Coupled with a tightened defense, Bigfork went on a 11-4 run to start the second half, holding Thompson Falls to one field goal in the first seven minutes after the break.
The Vals worked the ball past Thompson Falls’ pressure in the fourth quarter and took advantage of their opportunities from the free-throw line to extend their lead. Bigfork was 10 for 11 from the line in the fourth quarter, including an perfect 8 for 8 in the final three minutes.
Marissa Hiza had 12 points to lead Bigfork. Sophomores Mattison McAnally and Alauna Weilacher each had nine points.
“They executed down the end,” Hansen said.
“In the tournament, that first one’s a tough one, even if you’re playing at home. We had a nice easy win up there on Friday. You never know how the girls are going to react. They were hoping to go win instead of just going to play to win.”
Logan Beckman had a game-high 22 for Thompson Falls.
Bigfork advances to play Plains (15-4) in the conference championship game on Saturday in Libby. Plains, the only Class B team to beat the Vals this season, beat Eureka 56-31 on Thursday.
Thompson Falls 6 13 8 13 — 40
Bigfork 7 13 15 22 — 57
THOMPSON FALLS — Shey Hannum 5, Erica Sorlie 2, Angela Padden 8, Autrey Hannum 3, Logan Beckman 22.
BIGFORK — Marissa Hiza 12, Riley Coleman 3, Alauna Weilacher 9, Mattison McAnally 9, Lana Berg 8, Josie Spoklie 5, Tessa Robertson 4, Miranda Campbell 7.