Hiza sinks two free throws to secure a Valkyries victory

Three seconds froze on the clock as Marissa Hiza stepped up to the line. Plains High School was leading the Bigfork High School girls basketball team 36-35. Hiza focused, shot; the first free throw went through the net, and so did the second.

Plains took possession of the ball and chucked it across the court as the clock ran down. The shot fell short, giving the Valkyries a one-point victory on Saturday in Bigfork.

The Vals matchup with Plains saw both teams step up to the line a lot, and though Bigfork only hit 12 out of 32 shots.

“Free throws were killers,” head coach Jami Grende said. “Thankfully Marissa stepped up when it mattered.”

Hiza made five out of 11 free throws.

Plains didn’t fare much better at the line, hitting eight out of 21. However, the Trotters’ skill and speed gave the Valkyries a challenge. The Vals trailed by 10 at the end of the first quarter but hit a run in the second ending the half down 19-17. They stayed within a few points of Plains for the rest of the game.

Grende switched defenses part way through the game to help combat Plains’ speed.

The slow start against Plains was reminiscent of the Vals’ first home game of the season against Eureka on Thursday. At the end of the first half they were only leading by one. Grende credited that to first-home game jitters. Bigfork beat Eureka 56-38.

Miranda Campbell led the Vals for scoring against Eureka with 17 points. Lana Berg followed with 16.

The Valkyries play Whitefish at home on Jan. 2. Junior varsity goes at 3 p.m. and varsity at 6 p.m.

Bigfork 37, Plains 36

Plains 14 5 3 14 — 36

Bigfork 4 13 6 14 — 37

PLAINS — Kimberly Erhardt 6, Carley VonHeeder 9, Hailey Phillips 5, Kayla Holmes 7, Leah Thompson 9.

BIGFORK — Marissa Hiza 11, Riley Coleman 6, Jaime Berg 2, Mattie McAnally 2, Katie Thomas 1, Lana Berg 7, Miranda Campbell 8.

Bigfork 56, Eureka 38

Eureka    5    20    4    9    —    38

Bigfork    10    14    20    12    —    56

EUREKA — Charity Parsons 6, Rachael Pacella 2, Evynn Anderson 8, Amanda Peterson 13, Stacy Cooper 2, Erynn Their 5, Caty Gondeior 2.

BIGFORK — Marissa Hiza 6, Riley Coleman 7, Mattie McAnally 4, Katie Thomas 6, Lana Berg 16, Miranda Campbell 17