Girls Basketball: Vals muscle past T-Falls
BIGFORK — Despite scoring just four points in the final period of play, the Bigfork Valkyries (7-2 overall, 3-1) cruised past Thompson Falls (6-4, 2-2) 47-38 in a District 7B girls basketball matchup Friday night.
Paced by two nine-point efforts from sophomores Mattison McAnally and Miranda Campbell, the Valkyries controlled the game from the opening tip as the Lady Bluehawks never held a lead in the contest.
Campbell came off the bench and dropped seven of her nine points in the third quarter where Bigfork scored 19 points and grew its lead to 17 heading into the final quarter.
“I think we played really well together,” Campbell said.
“We pushed the ball a lot and looked inside, so I had to give it all I had.”
Bigfork’s presence on the glass was prevalent the entire contest. Senior center Tessa Robertson had 14 rebounds, and head coach Mark Hansen used his post players perfectly.
“I actually doubled them up tonight because Miranda was playing so well,” Hansen said.
“It’s nice to have another girl who can go in there and play the boards the same way,” Hansen said.
“We’re trying to get more looks at them together.”
Although Bigfork dominated the glass and the scoreboard, Thompson Falls junior Logan Beckman made the Valkyries earn it. Beckman posted a game high 23 points, 17 of which came in the second half. She used all of her 5- foot-9 inch frame and battled the Campbell and Robertson down low in the post most of the night. Her effort earned Hansen’s praise.
“Post defense is something we’ll have to improve on,” Hansen said.
“Logan Beckman is a great player, but we’ve got to make her work a little harder for the ball.”
Robertson and sophomore Lana Berg each had eight points for the Valkyries, and junior guard Josie Spoklie added a six-point effort.
The Valkyries will look to defend their homecourt again with a 4 p.m. tipoff against Florence.
Thompson Falls 9 6 11 12 — 38
Bigfork 11 13 19 4 — 47
Thomspon Falls — Logan Beckman 23, Angela Padden 6, Erica Sorlie 5, Shey Hannum 3, Madi Wheeler 1.
Bigfork — Mattison McAnally 9, Miranda Campbell 9, Lana Berg 8, Tessa Robertson 8, Josie Spoklie 6, Kallister Meagher 3, Riley Coleman 2, Marissa Hiza 2.