Back-to-back title try for Bigfork
By DAVID LESNICK
The Daily Inter Lake
The last time Bigfork was this close to Bozeman, the Vikings won the Class B state boys basketball championship.
That was in 2014.
Bigfork triumphed over Columbus 71-62 in the title game in Brick Breeden Fieldhouse on the campus of Montana State University to finish with a sparkling 26-0 record.
Defending state champ Bigfork is back for another state tournament trip, this time 10 miles west of Bozeman in Belgrade. The Vikings bring a 19-2 record to this state tournament and have already enjoyed another banner season, which includes capturing the District 7B regular-season title along with the Western B Divisional championship.
Bigfork last year went 24-0, stopping Shelby 60-56 in the final at the University of Montana’s Dahlberg Arena in Missoula.
Anders Epperly, who is a 5-foot-10 senior guard this year, sank a late free throw to seal the deal in that one. He finished with 15 points.
One of Bigfork’s other top scorer from that game is also back. Logan Gilliard, a 6-4 senior forward, netted 12 points against Shelby.
Gilliard is the team’s leading scorer this season, averaging just over 18 points per game with Epperly at 14.
Seniors Clayton Reichenbach, a 6-2 guard, and Colton Reichenbach, a 6-2 forward, are at 10 per game.
“Real good balance,” Bigfork coach Sam Tudor said of his offense. “People tend to focus on Anders and Logan, but the twins make them pay for it. They (Reichenbachs) get the points when we need them the most,”
The Vikings are currently riding an eight-game winning streak heading into today’s first-round test at 4:30 p.m. at the Belgrade Events Center versus Big Timber, the No. 3 seed from the Southern Division.
Poplar, top seed from the Northern Division, faces Three Forks (17-6), the No. 2 seed from the Southern in the opener at 3 p.m.
“They’re playing well,” Tudor said of Big Timber.
“They have good three point shooters, really well coached. They will be formidable.”
In the other half of the bracket, Colstrip (23-0), top seed from the Southern, faces Shelby, No. 3 from the Northern, at 6 p.m. followed by Rocky Boy, No. 2 from the Northern, against Missoula Loyola (18-4), No. 2 from the Western, at 7:30 p.m.
Semifinal games are 6:30 and 8 p.m. on Thursday with the championship game Friday at 8 p.m.
“The underclassmen have been great on the bench, Colton and Clayton are coming into to their own right now, have been relentless on the boards and shooting the ball real well right now,” Tudor said of his team overall.
“A great core of kids.
“Mainly our team defense,” he continued.
“It”s been a great surprise. We have really come together.”
A Bigfork victory in the opening round would place the Vikings in the 6:30 semifinal against the Poplar/Three Forks winner.
Teams from the Northern Division have dominated title time at state, winning championships nine times in the last 11 years.
Bigfork slipped in one final practice before state with a workout Tuesday evening at Bozeman High School.
“No,” Tudor said of any special words for his players. “Just the usual — be ready to go, try to enjoy it. That’s my message always.”
Representing the Western B girls at state in Belgrade are Florence/Carlton and Missoula Loyola. That action begins Thursday and ends Saturday at the Belgrade Events Center.
Semifinals will be played Friday at 3:30 and 5 p.m. The championship game is Saturday at 7:30 p.m.
Class B Boys State Basketball
Wednesday-Friday
At Belgrade Events Center
Wednesday’s First-Round Games
3 p.m — Poplar vs. Three Forks
4:30 p.m. — Bigfork vs. Big Timber
6 p.m. — Colstrip vs. Shelby
7:30 p.m. — Rocky Boy vs. Missoula Loyola
Class B Girls State Basketball
Thursday-Saturday
At Belgrade Events Center
Thursday’s First-Round Games
Noon — Harlem vs. Forsyth
1:30 p.m. — Florence/Carlton vs. Three Forks
3:30 p.m. — Columbus vs. Fairfield
5 p.m. — Wolf Point vs. Missoula Loyola