Vikes edged by Big Sky, game against Libby axed

The Bigfork varsity boys basketball team will still be searching for their first win of the season when they come back after the holiday break. They lost last Tuesday’s game against Big Sky, 57-53, and their game against Libby was canceled due to the weather.

Even though they didn’t beat the Missoula Class AA school, the Vikings showed great improvement since their previous games, which took place at the Hamilton Tip Off.

“They by far played the best that they have played so far this season,” said Bigfork head boys basketball coach Lyle Whiteman. “As a team they played the hardest and the best defense. We also had the best shooting percentage that we’ve had this season.”

Bigfork trailed Big Sky 25-21 at the half. The Vikings fought back in the third outscoring the Eagles 18-15, which included a big effort by senior forward Brock Boll who scored eight of those points for Bigfork, to narrow the gap to 40-39. The game stayed close in the fourth, but the Eagles put up three more points than the Vikings, with 17 to Bigfork’s 14, and took the win.

“We had a couple turnovers in the fourth quarter when we were trying to get the ball to certain people. Big Sky scored on those and that hurt us,” Whiteman said. “We had some missed opportunities. We’re still learning.”

Boll and senior guard Garrett Pewe led the Vikings in scoring with 13 points. Boll had to spend a lot of time sitting out during the first half due to foul trouble, and scored all but one of his points in the second half.

Pewe’s contribution included three 3-pointers, all of which he put in in the first quarter.  He also led the team in assists, with eight, and salvaged five rebounds.

“I think they played better together against Big Sky than they have all season,” Whiteman said. “They played more as a team. They were encouraging of each other on the floor and from on the bench. That all started during the junior varsity game when they were cheering them on and it just carried over.”

Senior guard Leo Gaigle put up seven points for Bigfork, including a 3-point shot in the first quarter. Senior forward Jake Milner had six points, all of which he made in the second half, and had four rebounds.

Senior post Scott Taylor led the team in rebounds with seven and junior post Lael Richmond had six.

“I think they felt strong going into the game, even after playing in the tournament just a couple of days beforehand,” Whiteman said. “I think they felt confident, especially after they watched the JV and the freshman comeback and win in their games against Big Sky.”