Vikings, Valkyries set to shock the Electric City
There is sure to be plenty of red, white and blue throughout Four Season Arena as both the Bigfork Vikings and Valkyries begin their run for a state championship today at the Class B combined state basketball tournament in Great Falls.
Hoping to defend their crown of a year ago, the Vikings kick off the action at 9 a.m. with a rematch of last season’s championship game.
Bigfork (21-2), who took second at the Western B divisional tournament after losing 67-55 to Loyola Sacred Heart, will square off against the Columbus Cougars (18-4) — the Southern B divisional champion.
While the matchup reminds the state of Bigfork’s undefeated championship season in 2014 where the Vikings downed the Cougars 71-62 for the title, first year head coach Sam Tudor noted it hasn’t been difficult to get the Vikings to focus on this year’s tournament.
“Well, it’s pretty easy for me because I wasn’t a part of that coaching staff,” Tudor said. “They’re all about taking it one game at a time, even one quarter at a time, and they’re good at it.
“It should be a good game, either way. It’s two different teams from last year. I think its going to be a good matchup. (Columbus is) really good at getting up teams and slowing things down, and we’re good at speeding things up. It’ll be interesting to see if anything gives.”
The Vikings enter the 2015 tournament with plenty of respect, despite coming off a loss to Loyola for their first Class B defeat since March 9, 2013.
In the divisional championship, the teams combined for 61 fouls. Johnathan Landon finished with 14 points and teammate Josh Sandry added 11 to lead the Vikings, but both players fouled out in the fourth quarter as did Tyler Piazzola.
It was a sloppy game for both the Vikings and Rams and one which Tudor believes Bigfork learned a lot from.
“We watched a lot of film and made a lot of good observations from that game,” Tudor said. “It’s not going to change the way we play were just going to be a little smarter about some things.”
Win or lose, Bigfork will play either Choteau or St. LaBre, who tip off following the Vikings and Cougars at 10:30 a.m.
Making their first state tournament appearance since 2012, the Bigfork Valkyries (18-4) have plenty of momentum rolling into Great Falls, including the resurgence of Mattison McAnally.
After watching her team claim yet another District 7-B title from the bench, the junior guard came back from an injury by dominating the divisional tournament.
She scored a game-high 17 points in the Valkyries’ 43-34 victory over Plains for the Western B championship while grabbing six rebounds and three assists.
“She came back stronger than she had been before she was out,” Bigfork coach Jami Grende said. “I think she’ll pick up where she left off that last game. She’s hungry. When she gets her mind set on something, she gets after it.”
McAnally adds depth to an already formidable Valkyrie lineup who will face Colstrip (19-6) at 8 p.m.
The Fillies dropped the Southern B semifinal contest to Manhattan, 59-53, before storming through the consolation bracket to finish third. They defeated Columbus 54-49 to earn their trip to Butte.
“They’re extremely physical and they’re quick,” Grende said of Colstrip.
“I told the girls what we have going for us is our height. You can’t coach height. They need to go out and play their game. They need to be ready for the physical part of the game.”
The Valkyries will take on either Manhattan or Choteau on Friday in the semifinals or loser out action.
“We are big and sturdy, and we’re quick. I feel we are capable of matching up with a lot of teams. I think it will be tougher for other team to matchup to us, Grende said.”