Vals split against Libby, Flathead

The Vals knocked down their second straight Class AA opponent this month when they hosted Flathead High School on Thursday night and beat them 53-41, but lost to Libby High School on the road 61-46 Saturday night.

Libby took control of the game early on, outscoring Bigfork 13-4 in the first quarter. The Vals attempted to make a comeback in the second, putting up 18 points and holding the Lady Loggers to 11. Libby continued to lead in the second half adding 19 points in the third and 18 in the fourth, while Bigfork put up 17 in the third and just seven points in the final period.

“We struggled from the free-throw line making 10 of our 27 shots and we never could dig out of the hole,” said Bigfork High School girls varsity basketball coach Mark Hansen. “They played hard, but didn’t have enough in the end.”

Kailey Fierro led Bigfork with 14 points and eight rebounds. Taylor Peck contributed 11 and Mallery Knoll had seven.

Roxy Thurman, who is typically a leading scorer for Bigfork, ran into early foul trouble and sat out most of the first half. She put up a total of just three points, but had four steals and three assists.

Bigfork gave a much more solid performance against Flathead.

Signa McLeod led the Vals in the first quarter, scoring six of the team’s 10 points. Bigfork scored another 10 points in the second quarter to lead 20-16 at half time. Fierro and Thurman helped Bigfork stay on top in the third quarter as they each put up six points to help their team outscore the Bravettes 13-6. Thurman had a pair of threes and Fierro went two-of-four from the line and sunk two field goals. In the fourth quarter the Vals showed a solid team effort as seven girls scored during the final period for a total of 20 points, while Flathead added 19 to their score.

“I think overall we played pretty good defensively,” Hansen said. “We came out more intensely defensively. Offensively, we still have some things to work on.”

Fierro led the Vals with 14 points, four rebounds and two blocks.

“I thought Kailey played one of her best games,” Hansen said. “She gave us a great post presence. She seams to be coming along very well.”

Thurman contributed 12 points and three steals. Knoll led the Vals in rebounding with five, and scored six points.

“I thought Mallery had a good game defensively,” Hansen said. “She guarded Kelsey Hildal for the first three quarters and held her to just six points.”

McLeod had seven points and Quindee Averill scored four, all of which she picked up in her two trips to the free-throw line.

“I thought we executed well when we were patient and found the right person to get the ball to,” Hansen said. “We need to keep working on our passes to the outside posts and executing our plays better. We did well with rebounding. We had 12 offensive rebounds, which is huge.”

The Vals hosted Polson on Tuesday. A recap of the game can be found on the Eagle’s Web site, http://www.bigforkeagle.com. The girls have another home game tomorrow, Jan. 30, against Columbia Falls.