Bigfork basketball teams to enter districts as top seeds

The Vikings and Valkyries will enter this weekend’s District 7B Tournament in Bigfork as top seeds as both teams finished up the regular season with wins over Thompson Falls Saturday. The Valkyries will take on the winner of the opening round game between Mission and Plains at 2 p.m. Friday while the Vikings will face the winner of Thompson Falls vs Troy at 5:15 Friday.

The Valkyries jumped out to a 10-point lead after one quarter against Thompson Falls Saturday and never looked back on their way to defeating the Lady Blue Hawks 62-45.

Bigfork had four players score in double figures as the Valkyries lead ballooned to more than 30 in the third quarter.

Braeden Gunlock led the way with 20 points for the Vals while Callie Gembala added 12 and Emma Berreth and Ava Davey each scored 10.

With the win, the Valkyries finish the regular season 17-1 overall and 9-1 in district play.

Thompson Falls 7 11 6 21 – 45

Bigfork 17 15 18 12 – 62

THOMPSON FALLS – Maliyah LeCoure 18, Natalie Roberts 11, Caity Alexander 6, Avery Burgess 6, Cheyla Irvine 2, Danni Jo Van Huss 2.

BIGFORK – Braeden Gunlock 20, Callie Gembala 12, Emma Berreth 10, Ava Davey 10, Scout Nadeau 3, Madison Chappius 2, Callie Martinz 2, Keni Wade 2, Ellie Jordt 1.

The third-ranked Valkyries broke open a tight game with the Polson Lady Pirates in the second quarter Feb. 8 and won comfortably, 77-42. The Vals had just a two-point lead after one quarter but ratcheted up their effort in the middle quarters, when they outscored the visitors 45-16. The Valkyries were led by Gunlock's 24 point outburst. Berreth chipped in 19 points and Scout Nadeau added 13 more.

Polson 14 10 6 12 – 42

Bigfork 16 24 21 16 – 77

POLSON – Ari Burke 11, Julia Barnard 7, Turqoise Pierre 6, McKenna Hanson 6, Nikki Kendall 5, Lexi Wirz 3, Grace Simonich 2, Ilysia Adams 2.

BIGFORK – Braeden Gunlock 24, Emma Berreth 19, Scout Nadeau 13, Ava Davey 7, Callie Martinz 5, Madison Chappius 4, Hannah Ayers 3, Zoey Albert 2.

The Vikings built a 15-9 lead after one quarter at home against the Blue Hawks Saturday on their way to a 59-43 win.

Thompson Falls continued to keep the game close in the second quarter before an Eli Thorness breakaway dunk capped off a run that helped put the Vikings up 30-19 at the half.

Thompson Falls cut the lead to nine early in the third quarter but would come no closer as Bigfork held on to win by 16.

Nick Walker was the only Viking in double figures with 10 points while Isak Epperly and Colin Wade each scored nine.

With the win, the Vikings finish the regular season 10-8 overall and 9-1 in district play.

Thompson Falls 9 10 16 8 – 43

Bigfork 15 15 16 13 – 59

BIGFORK: Nick Walker 10, Isak Epperly 9, Colin Wade 9, Bryce Gilliard 8, Eli Thorness 7, George Brown 7, Wyatt Johnson 6, Levi Taylor 3.

THOMPSON FALLS: Not Available

The Vikings came up just short in a close contest at Polson Feb. 8 despite getting 23 points from Wade and 20 from Bryce Gilliard.

Bigfork trailed 51-43 heading into the fourth quarter and outscored the Pirates 26-22 in the final eight minutes but could not complete the comeback.

Bigfork 13 13 17 26 – 69

Polson 16 15 20 22 – 73

BIGFORK: Colin Wade 23, Bryce Gilliard 20, Isak Epperly 8, Wyatt Johnson 6, Levi Taylor 4, Nick Walker 4, George Brown 4.

POLSON: Not Available