Valkyries repeat as divisional champions

By FAITH MOLDAN / Bigfork Eagle

Valkyrie basketball fans may have thought they were experiencing d/jˆ vu as they watched the Vals win the Northwestern A Divisional tournament championship game Saturday in Kalispell.

The Vals, who defeated the Polson Lady Pirates 60-45 in the semi-finals and the Whitefish Lady Bulldogs 49-40 in the championship game, enter the Class A Girls State Basketball Tourmament as the No. 1 team from the Northwestern.

"We were happy to get the first place trophy," Bigfork coach Nate Hammond said. "Anything less would have been disappointing."

The fourth quarter proved pivotal for the Vals against Whitefish. Bigfork started the quarter down 30-28. Kailey Fierro sank both her free throws to tie the game. The Vals took the lead on an Alyssa Fierro 2-point field goal less than 30 seconds later and never relinquished the lead. Fierro finished the game with 10 rebounds.

After a 3-point basket by Bowen, it basically came down to free throws for the Vals. Bigfork made 8-of-12 free throws in the last three minutes of the fourth quarter. The Vals held Whitefish scoreless for two-and-a-half minutes before the Lady Bulldogs notched one free throw with 2:50 remaining. Whitefish was 2-for-4 from the line in the fourth quarter. Roxy Thurman tallied four steals for Bigfork.

"We really stepped it up on defense in the fourth quarter," Hammond said. "We concentrated on isolating (Ashley) Ferda and took them out of their rythm."

Bigfork and Whitefish ended the first quarter tied at 10 apiece. The Vals' 10 included a Bowen 3-pointer. Vogel and Fierro added on the defensive end with back-to-back blocks. The score was tied at the end of the second quarter as well, at 22-22. The Vals scored just six points in the third quarter, all from the Fierros. Bowen, who pulled down six rebounds and nabbed three steals, assisted Kailey Fierro for two to tie the game 26-26. Alyssa Fierro was assisted by Vogel for her two, which broke the tie. Whitefish scored four points to end the third quarter ahead 30-28. Vogel tallied 10 assists in the game.

Bigfork had to get past a pesky Polson team before facing Whitefish. The Vals trailed the Lady Pirates midway through the first quarter 8-2. Alyssa Fierro brought the Vals within one point of Polson with a free throw near the end of the first. Thurman gave Bigfork a 9-8 lead with a steal and layup as the last seconds ticked away.

Polson regained the lead momentarily halfway through the second quarter. Bigfork answered right back followed by an 8-2 scoring run about two minutes later. Bowen and Jaylee Haveman combined for those eight points. Bowen scored two before Haveman made the score 22-20. Bowen had a chance to complete a three-point play with a basket and foul but missed the free throw. Haveman pulled down the rebound and put the Vals ahead 26-22. Haveman, who finished the game with eight rebounds, put back a Thurman miss 30 seconds later, making the halftime score 28-25. Haveman was 6-for-8 from the field.

Avery Vogel sank a 3-point basket with 3:59 on the clock. Alyssa followed Vogel's trey with two to make the score 39-31. Vogel kept the Vals ahead with two free throws, while Kailey Fierro made it a 10-point game — 48-38 — with 10 seconds remaining. Vogel dished out nine assists in the game and grabbed seven rebounds. Bigfork started the fourth quarter with a 6-0 run even with the Lady Pirates' full-court press.

Bigfork faces either Havre or Lewiston in the opening round of the state tournament in Hamilton. The tournament begins March 6 and runs through March 8. The Vals' game is scheduled to begin at 2 p.m. at Hamilton High School. All of the Vals' state-tournament games will be broadcast on 750 AM KERR.

Semifinal

Bigfork 9 19 20 12 - 60

Polson 8 17 13 7 - 45

BIGFORK - Hattie Bowen 3 1-3 7, Avery Vogel 4 5-6 14, Roxy Thurman 1 0-0 2, Alyssa Fierro 8 4-5 20, Kailey Fierro 2 1-2 5, Jaylee Haveman 6 0-0 12. Totals: 24 11-16 60.

POLSON - Jessica Buckless 2 0-0 6, Amanda James 1 2-3 5, Rochelle Woods 2 0-0 6, Breanne Kelley 1 0-0 2, Merilee Mowbray 6 4-8 16, Nicole Davey 1 0-0 2, Sierra Pete 0 0-2 0, Sarah Newton 4 0-0 8. Totals: 17 6-13 45.

3-point goals - Bigfork 1 (Vogel), Polson 5 (Buckless 2, Woods 2, James). Total fouls - Bigfork 13, Polson 17. Fouled out - none.

Championship

Whitefish 10 12 8 10 - 40

Bigfork 10 12 6 21 - 49

WHITEFISH - Kate Klundt 1 1-2 3, Ashley Ferda 7 0-0 18, Desiree Clarke 2 0-1 4, Chelsea Ray 3 1-2 8, Amanda Ormsby 2 3-7 7. Totals 15 5-12 40.

BIGFORK - Hattie Bowen 5 3-4 16, Avery Vogel 0 4-6 4, Roxy Thurman 2 2-5 7, Alyssa Fierro 6 1-5 13, Kailey Fierro 2 3-4 7, Jaylee Haveman 0 2-4 2. Totals 15 15-28 49.

3-point goals - Whitefish 5 (Ferda 4, Ray), Bigfork 4 (Bowen 3, Thurman). Total fouls - Whitefish 18, Bigfork 15. Fouled out - Ormsby.