Vals close out regular season on 17-game win streak
Paeten Gunlock intercepts a pass intended for Whitefish’s Madi Gordon Saturday. (Jeremy Weber/Bigfork Eagle)
The stage is set for what could be an epic girls Western A Divisional basketball tournament next weekend and the Valkyries downed Ronan and Whitefish last week to finish the regular season on a 17-game winning streak.
The Gunlock sisters combined for 46 points and 10 three-pointers against Ronan Thursday as the Vals cruised past the Maidens, 75-18.
Five of Paeten’s six threes came in the first half as she scored 20 of her game-high 24 points before halftime as Bigfork built a 46-12 lead at the break.
Paeten finished with five assists to go with her 24 points while Braeden finished the night with 22 points, 13 rebounds, five steals and four assists.
Ava Davey also scored in double figures for the Vals, finishing with 13 points to go along with three steals while Afton Lambrecht had eight points and six rebounds, Callie Gembala added six points and four rebounds and Keni Wade scored two points.
The Vals had four players score in double figures Saturday as Bigfork made short work of Whitefish in the regular season finale, 71-22.
The Valkyries jumped out to a quick lead on senior night and led 41-9 at the half before outscoring the Lady Bulldogs 31-13 over the final 16 minutes.
Davey led the way for the Vals with 17 points, four rebounds and three steals while Braeden Gunlock added 15 points, seven rebounds and five steals.
Paeten Gunlock had eight steals and five assists to go along with her 13 points while Wade also finished with 13 points.
Gembala had 10 rebounds to go along with four points, Kegan Campbell also scored four and Haley Schara and Lambrecht each had two points and five rebounds.
With the wins, the Valkyries finish the regular season 17-1 and will next weekend’s divisional tournament in Butte as the top seed from the Northwest..
Waiting for the Vals in Butte will be 17-1 Frenchtown, the only team to defeat Bigfork this season, a narrow 40-37 overtime victory on the Lady Broncs’ home floor in the first game of the year.
Also coming out of the Southwest Conference will be 15-3 Dillon, which Bigfork defeated 49-32 in the second game of the season.