Tuesday, April 29, 2025
54.0°F

Lady Hawks' Baxter gets All-State nod

CHUCK BANDEL | Hagadone News Network | UPDATED 2 years, 1 month AGO
by CHUCK BANDEL
Valley Press | March 15, 2023 12:00 AM

As expected, the unbeaten Class B state champion girls from Bigfork dominated the recently released Western 7B all-conference and All-State basketball list, placing the Gunlock sisters, Braeden and Paeten on the first team conference roster and as selections to the Class B All-State team.

Thompson Falls also was well-represented on the conference and all-state squads, with senior forward Ellie Baxter earning a spot on the All-State team to go with first team honors on the Western 7B roster.

Joining Baxter on the 7B team were seniors Chesney Lowe and Avery Burgess who were selected second team all-conference.

Bigfork also had the most selections for the boys conference and all-state teams, led by senior Isak Epperly, who was named to the All-State and all 7B first team. Epperly was joined on the All-State team by senior forward Nick Walker, who was also a first team 7B pick.

Thompson Falls senior forward Jesse Claridge was also a double honoree, landing a spot on the All-State team and the 7B first team. Claridge was joined on the post season honors list by sophomore forward Bryson LeCoure, who made the 7B second team.

Also chosen to the All-State team from the 7B conference was high scoring Mission senior guard Zoran LaFrombois.

Bigfork also had junior Eli Thorness and senior guard Trent Truman named to the all conference squad. Thorness was chosen for the first team 7B squad, while Truman was named to the second team.

Plains senior guard/forward Carlie Wagoner selected to the girls 7B second team.

Bigfork’s girls, who finished the year as unbeaten (26-0) state champs, had a total of five players named all 7B. In addition to the Gunlock sisters, the Valkyries were represented by seniors Ava Davey and Scout Nadeau, both named to the first team, and fellow senior Madison Chappius, picked for the 7B second team.

Mission’s senior standout Kooper Page was also named to the 7B girls first team and chosen to the girls All-State squad. The Lady Bulldogs also placed sophomore Kason Page and freshman Corr Matt on the all-conference roster, with both being selected second teamers.

photo

Thompson Falls senior Avery Burgess, who was named this weekend to the 7B All-conference second team, in a game against Eureka earlier this year. (Chuck Bandel/VP-MI)

photo

Class B All-State selection senior Jesse Claridge (24) looks for an open teammate during an in-bounds play earlier this year. Claridge, in addition to being chosen All-State, was also named first team 7B All-Conference. (Chuck Bandel/VP-MI)

photo

Thompson Falls sophomore Bryson LeCoure dribbles upcourt during a game earlier this year. LeCoure was selected to the 7B All-conference second team this past weekend. (Chuck Bandel/VP-MI)

MORE SPORTS STORIES

2 each from Vals, Vikings are B All-State hoops
Daily Inter-Lake | Updated 2 years, 1 month ago
Blue Hawks earn all-state honors
Valley Press-Mineral Independent | Updated 3 years, 1 month ago
Locals earn spot on Class B All-State rosters
Valley Press-Mineral Independent | Updated 1 month, 1 week ago

ARTICLES BY CHUCK BANDEL

April 23, 2025 midnight

Superior tennis off to strong start

A whirlwind schedule this past week for the Superior Lady Bobcats tennis team saw them emerge with a solid trio of unbeaten players, including their top singles and number one doubles team.

Prep golfers tested on Eureka course
April 23, 2025 midnight

Prep golfers tested on Eureka course

In more ways than one, the Tobacco Valley Invitational golf tournament this past week in Eureka was a sneak peek at post-season play.

April 23, 2025 midnight

Savage Horsemen go 0-3

The quest for victory number one goes on for the Thompson Falls-Noxon baseball team after a tough week gone by.