Class B Basketball Bigfork girls, boys advance to state semifinals
MISSOULA — The early start — 9 a.m. — was not a problem for Bigfork.
The Valkyries jumped out to a 10-4 lead, held a 27-14 edge at the half and took a 38-25 advantage into the final eight minutes for a 55-47 victory over St. Labre in the opening game of the Class B state girls basketball tournament at the University of Montana on Thursday.
“I was pleased with the 9 a.m. game,” Bigfork coach Jami Grende said.
“You get it over with. If you play the late game (on opening day at 5 p.m.) that is hard. You have to sit and wait. The girls were awake and ready to play for this one.”
Bigfork, 21-1, was led by the one-two offensive punch of Rakiah Grende and Ellie Berreth with 13 and 12 points, respectively.
Bigfork shot 36 percent from the field, hitting 23 field goals in 64 attempts. The Valkyries only went to the foul line five times, making four.
The battle on the boards was almost even although St. Labre held a big height advantage. The Lady Braves pulled down 38 missed shots to Bigfork’s 36.
Jaime Berg had 11 rebounds for Bigfork. The 6-foot, senior center, though, was held well below her double-digit scoring average.
“It was hard for Jaime,” Grende said.
“It was not easy.”
Grende finished with five points.
“If one is not hitting on the floor, we have other people who can score,” Grende said.
Turnovers troubled both teams with St. Labre totaling 31. Bigfork had 25.
“A win is a win, but too many turnovers,” Grende said for her team.
She said Bigfork forces an average of 31 turnovers a game.
“We capitalized on a lot of their turnovers early,” Grende said.
“That early momentum was important. We feed off of that.”
St. Labre was 17 of 46 shooting for 37 percent. The Lady Indians stayed within reach by cashing in at the free-throw line on 10 of 17 shooting.
Bigfork advances to semifinal action today against Three Forks at 3:30 p.m. That winner moves on to the title game Saturday night at 6:30.
Three Forks won its first-round contest, topping Poplar 63-59. Kyle Olson had a game-high 34 points for Three Forks. Morgan Allen added 14 for the victors.
Olson was 12 of 20 from the field and 4 of 8 from the free-throw line. She hit 6 of 11 3s.
Alleen Russell topped Poplar with 17 points.
“We’re going to have our hands full,” Grende said of the matchup with Three Forks, who is undefeated.
“We have seen a lot of film on them. It was nice for the girls to actually watch them play today.”
St. Labre and Poplar meet in loser-out action today at 9 a.m.
St. Labre 4 10 11 22 — 47
Bigfork 10 17 11 17 — 55
St. Labre — Priscilla Flatmouth 15, Teegan Ewing 14, Madison Bighorn 9, K’Ghan Bearcomesout 3, Kaelene Spang 3, Brianna Deputee 2, Sara Big Hair 1.
Bigfork — Rakiah Grende 13, Ellie Berreth 12, Shae Anderson 9, Abby Ellison 8, Jaime Berg 5, Abigail Lembke 5, Ansleigh Edgerton 3.
Three Forks 13 19 6 25 — 63
Poplar 11 18 13 17 — 59
Three Forks — Kyle Olson 34, Morgan Allen 14, Shainy Mack 9, Kendall Lynn 2, Sinclair Oliver 2, Paeton Ohs 2.
Poplar — Alleen Russell 17, Imani Bighorn 15, Chloe Shields 9, Keally Genia 6, Gillian Medicine Cloud 3, Hailey Brunelle 3, Sasha Youngman 2, Riley MacDonald 2, Holly Cogan 2.
Townsend 9 25 17 14 — 65
Rocky Boy 9 8 12 15 — 44
TOWNSEND — Tavia Rooney 15, Abby Leachman 19, Charlotte Watson 12, Catie Watson 2, Lainee Hill 6, Taylor Noyes 1, Kennedy Richtmyer 1, Peyton Vogl 8, Sterling Owens 1.
ROCKY BOY — Jaynah Gopher 6, Sean Henry 4, Sasha Coffee 3, Adrienne Gopher 13, Jaylynn Mitchell 14, Naomi Day Child 2, Rochelle Pease 2.
Colstrip 10 15 6 5 12 — 48
Deer Lodge 10 15 2 9 7 — 43
COLSTRIP — Trinity Lewandowski 3, S. Spotted Wolf 12, Shelby Jordan 6, Amaya LaFranier 20, Kya Egan 3, Abigail Dudley 2, Jessi Jordan 2.
DEER LODGE — Darcy Walker 10, Rilee Gray 3, Rachel Nicholson 9, Kamryn Scully 2, Ariel Clark 6, Josee Applegate 6, Mya Wirth 7.
Today’s Schedule
Semifinals
3:30 p.m. — Bigfork vs.Three Forks
5 p.m. — Townsend vs. Colstrip
Loser-Out Games
9 a.m. — St. Labre vs. Poplar
10:30 a.m. — Rocky Boy vs. Deer Lodge.
Boys
Bigfork 67, Joliet 38
MISSOULA — Bigfork put the game away with a huge first quarter, outscoring Joliet 32-9. The Vikings were up 42-19 at the half and 55-25 after three quarters.
“We had a great start and that set the tone for the rest of the game,” Bigfork coach Sam Tudor said.
Logan Gilliard and Beau Santistevan shared scoring honors with 18 points each. Chase Chappius was next for Bigfork with 15 and Anders Epperly added 10.
Gilliard had 12 points in the first quarter while Epperly hit a couple of 3s.
Bigfork was 26 of 56 shooting from the field for 46 percent. Joliet shot 26 percent, going 12 for 47.
Joliet, with 18 turnovers, had twice as many as Bigfork. Bigfork held a 38-32 edge on the boards. Santistevan had seven, Logan Taylor six and Epperly five.
Epperly led in assists with nine.
Joliet struggled behind the arc, hitting 3 of 22 attempts. Bigfork was 7 for 19 on 3s.
“I was nervous about them having the jitters, but they didn’t have them,” Tudor said.
“We seem to be playing pretty good ball right now.
“Our first nine played well,” he added.
“We went to our bench and it was spectacular.”
Bigfork, 22-0, moves on to semifinal play tonight at 6:30 to face Rocky Boy. That winner advances to the championship game on Saturday at 8:30 p.m.
Rocky Boy stopped Three Forks in first-round play 67-56. Kordell Small led a balanced Rocky Boy offensive showing, which had four players in double figures, with 18 points. Kendall Windy Boy had 14 points and 12 rebounds.
“They are big, they are quick,” Tudor said of Rocky Boy.
“It will be a great semifinal game.”
Joliet and Three Forks drop into loser-out play today at noon.
Joliet 9 10 6 13 — 38
Bigfork 32 10 13 12 — 67
JOLIET — Brett Robinson 2,Taylor Rowlison 11, Ry Olson 24,Terik Fike 1.
BIGFORK — Anders Epperly 10, Clayton Reichenbach 4, Logan Gilliard 18, Beau Santistevan 18, Luke Schmit 2, Luke Chappius 15.
Three Forks 6 16 18 16 — 56
Rocky Boy 17 9 24 17 — 67
THREE FORKS — Micalah Hauser 22, Darren Miller 5, Bryce Olson 3,TJ Miller 4, Colter Miller 14, Corey Yecny 8.
ROCKY BOY — Kordell Small 18, Ben Iron Eyes 15, Frankie Bacon 12, Olin Arkinson 3, Kendall Windy Boy 14, Kade Galbavy 2, Wyatt Caplette 7.
Colstrip 13 14 11 7 — 45
Shelby 10 8 19 14 — 51
COLSTRIP — Rivers Anderson 3, Payton Means 8, Joel McCrae 12, Kobee Bigback 5, Isaiah Williams 13, Kellen Bighead 4.
SHELBY — TJ Reynolds18, Zach Torgerson 2, Aaron White 19, Logan Watson 9, Macager McAllister 3.
Lodge Grass 27 13 10 22 — 72
Anaconda 20 11 14 21 — 66
Lodge Grass — Robert PrettyOnTop 7, Mylon Blacksmith 27, Elijlah Rogers 12, Ethan Dust 9, Josh Stewart 5, Richard Chief 3, Hank PrettyOnTop 5, Colton Collins 4.
Anaconda — Michael Galle 4, Trent Mikalatos 16, Braxton Hill 34, Zeke Buck 8, Braedon Sawyer 4.
Today’s Schedule
Semifinals
6:30 p.m. — Bigfork vs.Rocky Boy
8 p.m. — Shelby vs. Lodge Grass
Loser-Out Games
Noon — Joliet vs. Three Forks
1:30 p.m. — Colstrip vs. Anaconda