BOYS BASKETBALL: Vikings vanquish Troy to reach District 7B finals

BIGFORK — Last fall, Bigfork voters approved a bond request to fund, in part, a renovation of the high school that includes an expansion of the school’s gym, work that could begin this summer.

Which means Thursday’s District 7B semifinal game between the Vikings and Troy was, more than likely, the last game ever played in that gymnasium.

It’s a floor where Bigfork’s senior class has made a world of memories. It was there where the Vikings’ began their run to the 2014 Class B state championship, the only boys basketball title in school history.

And it was there on Thursday night that they extended a season they hope again ends in a championship celebration, improving to 18-1 with a 70-42 rout of the Trojans.

Which means emotions must have been running high before tip-off, especially for the team’s six seniors, like Jonathan Landon.

“Actually, this is the first time I’m thinking about it,” he said, a little caught off guard, after the game.

“Wow, that’s pretty big.”

What about for you, coach Sam Tudor?

“We didn’t even mention it before the game,” he said afterward with a smile. “I just now thought of that.”

So, emotional it was not, but the Vikings weathered an early Troy rally to easily dispatch their conference rivals and move on to Saturday’s District 7B championship game where they’ll take on Thompson Falls in Polson at 7 p.m.

Thursday’s effort was not unlike much of the Vikings season, with Bigfork’s six seniors combining for 54 points — led by Landon’s 17 — all of which has been fueled this year by a freshman point guard, Anders Epperly, at the Viking ship’s controls.

Epperly finished with 11 points and five assists in Thursday’s win, continuing to impress his coaches and teammates.

“The way he sets his teammates up, he makes me look like a genius some times,” Tudor said. “I run a play and he does something else and then, bang, he finds Joseph (Potkonjak) for an open three or something else.

“He’s just fun to watch.”

Landon too, although admittedly a little skeptical at first, has enjoyed his time playing alongside the freshman point guard.

“This summer was the first time I played with (Anders) and I thought, well, this kid’s a freshman and he’s going to be with us, this is going to be all hype and he’s not going to do well,” he said.

“But he’s definitely proved himself this whole year. I respect that kid, he’s a great little athlete.”

Epperly scored eight of his 11 points in the first half and fueled a 17-3 run with a trio of second quarter baskets that helped turn a one-point deficit into a 30-16 halftime lead for the Vikings.

Bigfork’s lead grew as big as 35 points in the fourth quarter.

Seniors Potkonjak (11 points), Adam Jordt (8), George Gibson (9) and Garrett Beville (7) all contributed to the win.

Adam Tallmadge led Troy (7-13) with 15 points. Sean Opland added 11.

The Trojans will play in Saturday’s third-place game against Libby at 3 p.m., with the Vikings and Blue Hawks at 7 p.m. Saturday in Polson in the title game.

Troy 12 4 7 19 — 42

Bigfork 13 17 16 24 — 70

TROY — Dillon Savage 0 1-2 1, Adam Tallmadge 6 3-4 15, Sean Opland 4 3-6 11, Mason Chapel 2 0-0 5, Kolton Winebark 1 0-2 3, Zach Cotton 1 0-0 2, Tucker Winn 0 0-0 0, Brandon Finley 2 0-0 5, Jordan Day 0 0-0 0, A.J. Faur 0 0-0 0, Noah Caballero 0 0-0 0, Trinity Rice 0 0-0 0. Totals — 16 7-14 42.

BIGFORK — Anders Epperly 5 0-0 11, Adam Jordt 3 0-0 8, Joseph Potkonjak 4 0-0 11 Jonathan Landon 6 4-4 17, George Gibson 3 3-3 9, Austin Varner 0 0-0 0, Logan Taylor 0 0-0 0, Chase Chappuis 0 0-1 0, Levi Spanogle 1 0-0 2, Logan Gilliard 2 1-1 5, Beau Santistevan 0 0-0 0, Garrett Beville 3 1-2 7. Totals — 27 9-11 70.

3-point field goals — Troy 3 (Finley, Chapel, Winebark), Bigfork 7 (Potkonjak 3, Jordt 2, Epperly, Landon). Total fouls — Troy 12, Bigfork 15. Fouled out — None. Technical fouls — None.