Valkyries finish season with third place at divisionals
The Bigfork girls basketball team finished its regular season with a solid 19-5 record and the District 7B district championship.
So, the team went into last week's divisional tournament with high expectations. Coach Mark Hansen told his team that their goal should be that “when Saturday night rolls around that we are still playing.” After three games in three days the Valkyries did just that, playing Plains for the fourth time this season and winning the third place trophy.
Bigfork 51, Ronan 37
The Vals started the opening round game against Ronan with conviction. Steady half-court offense and solid play on the defensive end helped secure a 14-2 lead for the Vals in the first quarter.
In the second quarter Ronan took a different approach on the defensive end and brought a stifling press that caused trouble for Bigfork. The Maidens took advantage of turnovers for some easy scores. At the half Bigfork led 25-12.
After the half the Maidens continued to pour on the pressure with their press, at one point making it a two-point ball game. “When we are in our half court defensively it’s hard for them to score, but when we turn the ball over, Tessa (Robertson) is not back to make stops and protect the basket. It’s easier for them to score.”
In the fourth quarter the Vals were able to handle the press and turned the ball game back into a half-court game. After the four minute mark Bigfork outscored the Maidens 12-0 to end the game, pulling away for a 51-37 victory. Lana Berg came up big with seven points and four rebounds in the fourth quarter.
“I think we started to get more comfortable with handling the press as the game went on and I think that Ronan eventually wore themselves out running the press,” Hansen said. “Nerves and frustration came into play, and this was certainly one of the more physical games we’ve played all year, and it showed.”
Bigfork was led in scoring by Robertson with 19, Berg with10, and Marissa Hiza with nine. Rebounding was also key, with Riley Coleman hauling in 13 and Robertson with11. Matti McAnally handed out five assists.
Loyola 55, Bigfork 42
Both teams came out swinging in the first quarter with good defensive pressure. After the first quarter the score was in favor of Loyola 14-8. The Vals tried to stick with Loyola, but they were down 28-19 down going into the half.
The Vals managed to keep pace with the Breakers in the third quarter, at one point closing the gap to four points. The final stanza, however, was dominated by Loyola, which seemed to grab every defensive rebound and managed to either score or be fouled on every offensive possession.
Bigfork was led in scoring by Berg with 12, Hiza and Miranda Campbell each added eight.
Bigfork 51, Florence 41
Loser-out games on Saturday morning usually show what a team is made of.
The sting of losing the night before is sometimes too much for a team’s psyche and they don’t come to play. The Bigfork Valkyries did come to play on Saturday morning, though. Bigfork outpaced the Lady Falcons with scoring on good inside play and tough defense. The score at the half was 20-12.
In the second half the Vals came out strong and controlled the third quarter building on their lead, 38-22. The Vals also made key free throws in the fourth quarter to finally put Florence away.
The Vals saw two players in double figures; Tessa Robertson with 14, and Lana Berg had 10. Miranda Campbell and Riley Coleman contributed seven apiece.
Bigfork 48, Plains 35
On Saturday night the Vals played their second game of the day, facing a familiar foe in Plains in the consolation game.
First-half action saw the Vals take the early lead in the first quarter 7-6. The Trotters plugged up the inside with a two/three zone; keeping the ball out of the posts’ hands and not letting the Bigfork guards penetrate. The second quarter ended with Vals down 18-12.
In the third quarter the Vals brought more determined play. Hansen encouraged his girls at halftime “to start stretching the floor with some outside shooting.” The Vals managed to close the gap by the end of the third, 30-28.
Senior standout Tessa Robertson stepped up with solid defensive pressure and made key blocks, as well as pulling down critical rebounds. Robertson also was critical in helping break the Trotters’ press when Plains tried to claw back in the game with stepped up pressure.
Among the other players garnering their coach’s praise was Berg, who made hit shots when it was needed. Berg averaged a double-double for the tournament, as did Tessa Robertson. “The guard play was also key in keeping us in the games,” Hansen said. “I thought they did a heck of a job all tournament.”
The Vals had two players in double figures — Lana Berg had 13 and Tessa Robertson had 11. Also contributing were Mattison McAnally with seven and Marissa Hiza, whose six points came up huge in the fourth quarter.