GIRLS BASKETBALL: Bigfork draws mighty Malta to open state tournament

BUTTE — The Bigfork coaching staff had a chance to watch the Malta-Fairfield Northern B divisional championship game last week, and they came back with a clear message for their girls.

One that’s not as evident as it sounds.

“We’ve been studying the game film,” Valkyries coach Jami Grende said.

“They’re human. They’re not superheroes.”

‘They’ are the undefeated and defending state champion Malta M-ettes, Bigfork’s first round opponent at the Class B girls basketball state tournament, today at 10:30 a.m. at the Butte Civic Center.

“We don’t have anything to lose,” Grende continued. “We’re not coming into this game with an undefeated record, they do. There’s a lot at stake for them.

“The girls believe we can play with them. We want to give them a good game and I think we are capable of doing that.”

Bigfork (19-5) is making a second straight state tournament appearance, but they had to do so by rallying at the Western B divisional. The Valkyries lost in the opening round of the tournament only to rattle off three straight victories and claim the third and final state tournament bid.

The Vals’ experience — both at the divisional tournament and as a qualifier for the 2015 state tournament — could prove valuable this weekend. Although Bigfork was winless at the double-elimination tourney a year ago, nearly every player from that team is back this time around.

Grende and the Vals hope any lessons learned can be used to pick up a state tournament win or two, something no Bigfork team has done since the school moved down to Class B in 2009.

“Last year we did compete, we were in every game, and if we’re in every game at state this year and we play well I will be satisfied with that,” Grende said.

“It would be nice to come out of state with a little hardware and a couple wins for ourselves. We’ve talked about winning the state championship and that’s not out of the question, either.”

Bigfork’s “twin towers,” as Grende calls them, are forwards Miranda Campbell and Lana Berg, and the seniors give the Valkyries an inside presence that’s nearly unmatched in the state, though the pair were plagued by foul trouble at the divisional tournament. Senior guards Mattison McAnally and Katie Thomas, along with sophomore Jaime Berg, round out the Bigfork lineup.

The Vals won the District 7B title with a perfect 8-0 record, but Grende still sees Bigfork’s best basketball on the horizon.

“I do not think we’re playing our best,” she said. “We have yet to have all five girls play great in one game. When the games get tougher, I need all five girls to play good basketball and I need the girls to come off the bench and help us out.

“I’m hoping that will happen this weekend. It sure would be nice to peak at the state tournament.”

If Bigfork can upset Malta, the Vals would play Friday at 3:30 p.m. in the semifinal round. With a loss, Bigfork would still be alive at the double-elimination tournament and hit the court Friday at 9 a.m.

2016 Class B Girls Basketball State Tournament

at Butte Civic Center & Butte High School

Thursday

First Round

Shepherd vs. Missoula Loyola, 9 a.m.

Malta vs. Bigfork, 10:30 a.m.

Ronan vs. St. Labre, 3:30 p.m.

Forsyth vs. Fairfield, 5 p.m.

Friday

Loser-out games, 9 & 10:30 a.m.

Semifinal games, 3:30 & 5 p.m.

Saturday

Loser-out games, 9 a.m. (two sites)

Consolation final, 3:30 p.m.

Championship game, 6:30 p.m.