Whitefish drops conference matchup against Bigfork

After four games were postponed due to extreme weather, Whitefish finally returned to the hardwood hosting Northwest A Conference foe Bigfork on Friday, Jan. 19. 

The Valkyries set the tone in the first quarter, jumping out to a 23-6 lead on their way to a 64-16 victory. Jude Perry’s 6 points led the Lady Bulldogs in the game. Whitefish fell to 0-3 in conference play.

“It has been a very difficult season with all the cancellations we have had,” Whitefish head coach Bob Bolam said. “The Girls have done a good job showing up to practice each day with a positive outlook on things. I'm sure they have become a bit confused after multiple game plans have been practiced and then not used, only to practice them again for the next go-round.”

Bigfork led 39-10 at halftime, and Whitefish scored 6 points in the second half. The Valkyries, despite just moving up from Class B, have been a tremendous power and improved to 9-1 overall and 4-0 in conference play.

“Bigfork brings a lot of talent and confidence when they play,” Bolam said. “They are hard to defend because they shoot the outside shots so well and have a good inside game also. Along with the fact that they play great team defense and run the floor very well. They could probably press you off the floor with their speed and quickness, but they don't have to because their half-court defense is so good.”

Ave Davey led Bigfork with 18 points, including eight in the first quarter. 

Whitefish has lost two straight, both conference games, with their matchup against Polson on Jan. 9 going to overtime but ending in a loss.

“We still have a lot of games in front of us that keeps us in contention,” Bolam said. “It will be nice to get our game legs under us as we move into a period of a lot of games due to cancellations. We have only played two games since Dec. 19 and that is not an ideal situation.”

Coming up, the Bulldogs host Browning at 5 p.m. on Saturday and Libby at 5:45 p.m. on Monday. After press time Tuesday, Jan. 23, Whitefish was scheduled to play Ronan.

BIGFORK 64, WHITEFISH 16

Bigfork - 23 - 16 - 18 - 7 - 64

Whitefish - 6 - 4 - 3 - 3 - 16

WHITEFISH SCORING: Yoli Krastev 4, Jude Perry 6, Bailey Smith 3, Charlize Ullrich 1, Ainsley Scott 2.

    Bulldog Bailey Smith rises up for a 3-pointer against Bigfork on Friday. (Whitney England/Whitefish Pilot)