Bigfork prepares for flight tournament

Saturday Bigfork will host the Bigfork Flight Tournament, which is now in its third year. It used to be that the Cut Bank teams would swing down to Bigfork on their way back from playing Libby, but a few years ago the Loggers decided they wanted to join in the tournament. Last year Mission competed in the tournament as well. This year, Troy will make it a four-team tournament. Conrad had also planned to attend, but a scheduling conflict has made that unlikely.

"It's a nice opportunity for the teams to get together and for the kids to see some different competition," said Matt Porrovecchio, BHS activities director, who is in charge of scheduling. "It's a pretty informal setting as far as tournaments are concerned."

All of the varsity players will compete in at least three matches, which will be condensed to 10-game pro sets. The bracket is a round-robin style rather than what is used at a tournament where players lose-out and advance after a determined number of wins and loses. This tournament is the largest meet that the Vikes and Vals will participate in prior to districts and divisionals.

Since Bigfork has only a handful of Class B matches this year, the flight tournament provides the team with an opportunity to compete against some players they may not see until divisionals and in some cases state. All of the school's participating in the event are Class B schools with the exception of Libby, which is in Class A. The Bigfork Flight Tournament starts at 8 a.m. and matches will be held at the Flathead Lake Lodge, the high school courts and the Montana Athletic Club.

Read more about the tournament in next week's Bigfork Eagle.