Valkyries begin summer with victories

By FAITH MOLDAN

Bigfork Eagle

The Valkyrie basketball program continued where it left off in the regular season in Hamilton June 9.

Thirteen Vals made the trek down to Hamilton, and came home with a 7-1 record between the junior varsity and varsity teams.

"Everyone played a lot," coach Nate Hammond said, because of the small number of players. The varsity team had to finish their second game with just five players when Charlene Miller sprained her ankle.

The varsity team — Hattie Bowen, Avery Vogel, Quindee Averill, Alyssa Fierro, Miller, Signa McLeod and Emily Hardman — won all its games for a 4-0 tournament record. They first beat Butte Central, 30-19, and won the game against Hamilton, 31-20. The Vals' game against Missoula Loyola went into overtime.

"We knew we could get the tip," Hammond said of the start of the overtime period. "We had to get a good shot. The girls took their time and set up our offense and we got a layup. I was proud of their poise that game."

The Vals were victorious, 41-39, and finished the tournament with a 34-17 win over Corvallis.

The JV team of Madison Wood, Kristin Hagen, Caitlin Charlebois, Nikki Hagler, Kate Lamm and Taylor Peck started the tournament with a close 21-20 win against Corvallis. All the members of the JV team will be freshmen next year with the exception of Peck, who will be in the 8th grade. The team's other wins were just as close. The Vals beat Hamilton, 33-31, and Victor, 25-24.

McLeod was fouled with four-tenths of a second remaining in the game and proceeded to make one of her free throws for the Valkyrie win. She and Hardman split their time between the varsity and JV teams.

The JV squad lost its final game to Butte Central 34-21.

Summer basketball continues for the Vals in Bozeman Friday. The Vals will play at the Montana State team camp, beginning Friday at 6 p.m. against Miles City. Other teams the Vals will play include Cody, Wyo., Highwood, Big Timber and Livingston.