Valkyries chasing elusive success at Class B state basketball tournament

By all measures, the Western B divisional went swimmingly for the Bigfork girls.

Well, not quite all measures.

The one standard unsatisfied by the Valkyries’ performance was the level to which they hold themselves.

“There were tears in the locker room after we beat Anaconda (in the Western B semifinals), which was interesting to see because a win is a win, and you’ve got to take it,” Bigfork head coach Jami Grende said. “They weren’t really satisfied with their performance, which is good.”

Bigfork went on to win the Western B title, but the disappointment in its own performance added fuel to the Valkyries’ fire over the past two weeks of practice. They begin play at the Class B state basketball tournament versus St. Labre today at 9 a.m.

“I didn’t really feel like we played that well in divisional,” Grende said. “The beauty of this is that even though we didn’t play well, we still win.

“We’ve got a good shot of placing at state. I think we bring a unique game to the competitors that they haven’t seen this year.”

That game is keyed by a swarming press defense that has befuddled Bigfork’s opponents all year.

The Valkyries hope to make fourth-seeded St. Labre the next victim.

The Lady Braves boast size, starting two players over six feet and another at 5-foot-11, but Grende said it doesn’t concern Bigfork.

“Height doesn’t bother them,” she said. “The first thing they said was, ‘Are they good ball handlers?’ They know, with our pressure, if they don’t have good ball handlers, then we’ve got them.”

Bigfork’s appearance in the state tournament is a culmination of the past three years, most of which Grende has spent implementing her system and getting her team to buy into it.

“It’s been a little frustrating,” Grende admitted.

“But the kids never gave up, and we never gave up on them.”

But a state appearance alone is not satisfactory for the Valkyries and their five seniors, who enter the tournament 20-1 on the year. The lone loss was to Class A foe Columbia Falls.

“They love the game,” Grende said. “They love their teammates. They love representing Bigfork.

“Yeah, we are at state, and the pressure is off in a sense. But we need to go to state and do well. We’re capable of doing well. We’re capable of placing high.

“I’m 0-4 at the state tournament now, and I really feel like this is the group of girls that could change that.”

State Basketball Tourney

University of Montana

Missoula

Today’s Schedule

First-Round Games

9 a.m. — Bigfork vs. St. Labre

10:30 a.m. — Three Forks vs. Poplar

3:30 p.m. — Rocky Boy vs. Townsend

5 p.m. — Colstrip vs. Deer Lodge