Bigfork Boys Triumph in Western B Divisional Championship

The Bigfork Vikings recaptured the Western B Divisional trophy.

A well-balanced offense and stingy defense guided the Vikings past Florence 65-54 in Saturday night’s championship game at Flathead High School.

Joseph Potkonjak had 17 points, Jonathan Landon had 13 points and nine rebounds and Anders Epperly netted 12 points for Bigfork, which clinched its first divisional title since 2014’s perfect championship season. This year’s boys advanced to the Class B state tournament in Butte, March 10-12. The Vikes will play the third seed from Southern B at 6:30 p.m., March 10.

Adam Jordt scored 10 points and George Gibson had nine for the Vikes, who improved to 22-1 overall.

Bigfork led by as many as 16 points in the second half but saw its lead dwindle to six as Florence mounted the comeback in the fourth quarter. But Bigfork’s defense clamped down and hit clutch free throws down the stretch, finishing the game 23-of-34 from the line.

The victory also avenged Bigfork’s lone loss this season, a Jan. 16 defeat in Florence (21-2).

Florence and Missoula Loyola will also advance to the Class B state tournament from the West.

On the girls side, Bigfork rallied back through the consolation bracket to seal a trip to the state tournament.

Bigfork defeated Libby 55-39 in early loser-out action on Saturday before taking down Florence 52-41 in the consolation final.

The Valkyries (19-5) will play the top seed from Northern B at 10:30 a.m., Thursday.

Ronan defeated Missoula Loyola in the Western B girls final, 54-47.

Read next week’s Flathead Beacon for a full recap from the divisional tournaments.

Saturday’s Box Scores

BOYS
Championship
Bigfork 65, Florence 54

Florence  7  10  15  22  –  54
Bigfork  9  21  16  19  –  65

FLORENCE – Bo Zeiler 7, Marcus Zeiler 9, Levi Clagett 15, Cody Liles 11, Jake Christopherson 10, Dan Mickelson 2.
BIGFORK – Anders Epperly 12, Adam Jordt 10, Joseph Potkonjak 17, Jonathan Landon 13, Colton Reichenbauch 2, George Gibson 7, Garrett Beville 4.

***
Third place
Loyola Sacred Heart 57, Thompson Falls 56

Thompson Falls  6  18  14  18  –  56
Loyola  11  17  11  18  –  57

THOMPSON FALLS – McKenzie Holt 3, Dylan Beckman 5, Tanner Laws 11, Joe Lundberg 8, Trais Hoisington 12, Tyler Riffle 5.
LOYOLA SACRED HEART – Noah Pohlman 6, David Koppang 6, Strother Cooper 12, Frank Zheng 2, Fisher Richardson 6, Ryan McHugh 7, Parker Davis 14, Lochlin Ermatinger 4.

***
Loser out
Thompson Falls 64, Libby 42

Thompson Falls  10  19  20  15  –  64
Libby  11  5  11  15  –  42

THOMPSON FALLS – Dylan Beckman 6, Tanner Laws 8, Corey Tessier 3, Josh Wolfekuhl 1, Joe Lundberg 5, Trais Hoisington 24, Joe Frields 8, Danny Hosington 4, Tyler Riffle 5.
LIBBY – Jonny Cielak 6, Ryggs Johnston 12, Gabe Peck 2, Anthony Johnson 7, Jason Brant 11, Eirk Lauer 4.

***
Loser out
Loyola Sacred Heart 59, Deer Lodge 47

Deer Lodge  9  11  13  14  –  47
Loyola  13  13  16  17  –  59

DEER LODGE – Cade Benjamin 17, Koby Owens 5, Brandon Porter 17, Kaehl Lowery 8.
LOYOLA SACRED HEART – Noah Pohlman 5, David Koppang 3, Strother Cooper 2, Parker Davis 21, Lochlin Ermatinger 10, Kellen Round 5, Frank Zheng 3, Fisher Richardson 2, Ryan McHugh 8.

GIRLS
Championship
Ronan 54, Loyola Sacred Heart 47

Loyola  8  21  9  9  –  47
Ronan  17  10  11  16  –  54

LOYOLA SACRED HEART – Darien Schneider 3, Tessa Burke 18, Payson Jacobson 3, Skylar Hollenback 12, Brook Kolar 11.
RONAN – Micalann McCrea 15, Jordyn Clairmont 5, Alicia Camel 6, Lee Camel 28.

***
Third place
Bigfork 52, Florence 41

Bigfork  12  13  10  17  –  52
Florence  17  4  16  4  –  41

BIGFORK – Haile Norred 6, Jaime Berg 10, Mattison McAnally 7, Katie Thomas 6, Lana Berg 10, Miranda Campbell 13.
FLORENCE – Kourtney Kohlman 8, Autumn Round 9, Rilee Mangun 2, Makenna Liles 3, Danielle Zahn 17, Chloe Arthur 2.

***
Loser out
Bigfork 55, Libby 39

Bigfork  10  11  21  13  –  55
Libby  6  13  18  2  –  39

BIGFORK – Haile Norred 2, Jaime Berg 6, Mattison McAnally 13, Katie Thomas 9, Lana Berg 10, Miranda Campbell 15.
LIBBY – Trinity Wallace 4, Madisen Monigold 10, Jayden Winslow 9, Khalyn Hageness 2, Shannon Reny 14.

***
Loser out
Florence 53, Deer Lodge 44

Florence  16  15  8  14  –  53
D. Lodge  10  10  16  8  –  44

FLORENCE – Kourtney Kohlman 6, Autumn Round 3, Ally Rust 6, Jewel Zeiler 3, Rilee Mangun 4, Makenna Liles 8, Danielle Zahn 15, Chloe Arthur 8.
DEER LODGE – Josee Applegate 8, Riley Gray 8, Lenora Campbell 6, Jaicee Senecal 6, Darcy Walker 3, Kerstin Cooper 1, Kamryn Scully 2, Alyssa Lamb 10.

***

Late Friday
Semifinal

Ronan 61, Libby 44
Libby  10  11  15  8 –  44
Ronan  13  15  15  18  –  61

LIBBY – Ashley Walker 1, Trinity Wallace 5, Madisen Monigold 11, Abby Ennenga 8, Jayden Winslow 12, Shannon Reny 7.
RONAN – Micalann McCrea 17, Jordyn Clairmont 3, Siliye Pete 2, Louetta Conko-Camel 2, Alicia Camel 13, Lee Camel 24.