Valkyries close out year on six-game winning streak

The Valkyries made short work of their opponents last week as they cruised past the Lady Broncs in Hamilton 52-31 Tuesday before crushing Stevensville in Bigfork Thursday, 71-18. 

Bigfork shot 41% from the field, including hitting half of their 2-point attempts in Hamilton Dec. 19, using a 21-6 second-quarter burst to get past the Lady Broncs.

The Valkyries jumped out to a 13-7 lead after one quarter, but took control for good in the second frame, building a 34-13 halftime advantage.

    Peyton Benson battles with a pair of Lady Yellowjackets for a loose ball during action against Stevensville in Bigfork Thursday. (Jeremy Weber/Bigfork Eagle)
  

Braeden Gunlock led the Vals’ scoring attack with 19 points, finishing 8 of 14 from the field and adding 14 rebounds.

Ava Davey also scored in double figures with 14 points along with three steals and drew two charges in the win.

Paeten Gunlock finished with eight points and three steals, Afton Lambrecht chipped in with four points and six rebounds, Callie Gembala had three points and eight boards, and Keni Wade and Haley Schara each scored two points.

It was all Valkyries at home Thursday as they closed out 2023 with a 71-18 win over Stevensville.

Bigfork shot a blistering 59% from the field, including 7-of-15 from three-point range, in the win and led 57-7 at halftime.

The Valkyries were able to play their reserves for the majority of the second half, outscoring the Yellowjackets by three over the final two quarters with a running clock.

Paeten Gunlock knocked down four triples in the win, finishing with a game-high 18 points to go along with eight assists and four steals.

Davey scored 14 and added nine steals while Braeden Gunlock hit all six of her shots in the contest and finished with 13 points.

Schara scored six points in the win, Gembala, Lambrecht and and Wade each scored four, Keegan Campbell and Chloe Norred each had three points and Peyton Benson added two.