The Bigfork Valkyries are going back to state.
The Vals (19-4) survived a Monday night challenge game, edging Deer Lodge 36-32 to advance to the Class B state basketball tournament.
Melissa VanDerveer led the Vals with 14 points and 14 rebounds in the Western B divisional matchup in Hamilton. McKinze Shults scored seven points, Tessa Robertson had six and Shelby Scoggins added four. Taylor Peck chipped in three and Riley Coleman two.
A year after failing to make state, third-ranked Bigfork returns to Hamilton, March 8-10. The girls play the top seed from Southern B at 12:30 p.m. on March 8.
Bigfork lost to Missoula Loyola 48-39 in the Western B title game.
The Bigfork boys, under first-year head coach Kurt Paulson, finished third at the divisional.