Bigfork Girls Basketball Coach Steps Down Due to Family Illness

Assistant coach Cortnee Gunlock, who has led the junior-varsity team, is filling in as interim head coach

By Dillon Tabish February 17, 2017

Bigfork head coach Jami Grende calls out instructions. Loyola defeated Bigfork 43-42 on Feb. 25, 2016. Greg Lindstrom | Flathead Beacon

Jami Grende has abruptly stepped down as head coach of the girls basketball program at Bigfork High School due to a sudden family illness.

Grende stepped down this week. Assistant coach Cortnee Gunlock, who has led the junior-varsity team, is filling in as interim head coach with the help of Kelly Grisak, another assistant in the program. Bigfork defeated Libby 52-40 on Thursday night in the District 7B opener. The Valkyries (12-7) play Troy on Saturday at 7 p.m. in Eureka in the district championship game before advancing to next week’s Western B divisional tournament in Ronan.

Grende was in her third season as head coach of the Vals.

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