The stakes are high, and the intensity may be even higher. 

Glacier welcomes crosstown rival Flathead for the first meeting between the two sides in 2025 Friday at the Wolf Den. The boys take the court first with tip-off scheduled for 6 p.m. with the girls game to follow. 

On the boys side both teams enter with six game losing streaks and, with no divisional tournament this season, every conference win is crucial. 

“Both teams will be hungry, and that's the way it is this year with conference games,” said first-year Wolfpack coach Evan Epperly. 

“Everyone knows that crosstown means a little more,” Braves coach Dan Trageser said.

Glacier sits 1-7 overall and 0-4 in Western AA games and comes off a 57-54 loss to Butte on Friday. Cooper Pelc led the way for the Wolfpack with 12 points. Glacier’s leading scorer Asher Knopik tallied seven.

“They have added a few pieces this year, we haven't played against Asher or Banzet,” Trageser said.

Knopik, a transfer in from Bigfork, averages nine points per game and adds physicality to the Wolfpack according to Trageser. 

“I think tomorrow night is a clash of different styles; they like to play slow and pride themselves on defensive effort,” Trageser said. “We like to play fast; whichever team can dictate their terms will do well.” 

Trageser also says he doesn’t expect Glacier’s play style to be different from what the Braves saw under Mark Harkins.

“Evan has been there with coach Harkins for years, he has added a little nuance,” Trageser said. “Both coaches have a good idea of what the team is looking to do.” 

On the other bench, Flathead is also 0-4 in conference and is 2-7 overall, the Braves also fell to Butte over the weekend, 78-69. Lyric Ersland led the Braves with 17. Jordan Griffin added 11 in his first game for the Braves this season. 

Ersland sits second in Western AA in points (21.1) and rebounds (8.1). 

“It’s a challenge, Lyric is playing well this year,” Epperly said. “He’s improved from last year; he’s a confident player. It’s a challenge to defend someone like that.”

Epperly also notes that preparation doesn’t change just because of the opponent and that it is just another game for his team. 

As for the girls, Glacier enters 4-4 overall and 2-2 in conference, coming off a home loss to Butte. Reese Ramey finished with a team-high 12, Karley Allen added 11. 

“We are preparing our mentality for the game,” Glacier coach Amanda Cram said. “Crosstown brings excitement and emotion, it's important we come in ready to play and drown out the noise.” 

Ramey leads the Wolfpack in scoring with 12.2 points per game. Allie Krueger is tied for second in rebounding in Western AA with eight boards per game.

“We have a ton of respect for them as a team and they have kids that can score,” Bravettes coach Kaylee Fox said. “They like to challenge you defensively and give you trouble. They create a lot of pressure.” 

Flathead comes into Friday after picking up their second win of the season against Butte, a 53-52 decision. Grace Gall led the way with 15 points for the Bravettes. Ava Malmin added 14, while Caitlin Converse tallied 13. 

“We are going to continue to do the little things,” Fox said. “Make sure we box out take good shots, be sound defensively.” 

Depth expects to be a major factor Friday as both teams feature seven-player rotations on the court.

“Short rotation has been a focus and learning from our past mistakes,” Cram said. “It has to be us; it has to be our core. We have to play solid defensively to stay out of foul trouble.” 

“Emotion is always high for crosstown,” Fox said. “We have to be careful not to get in foul trouble, play within ourselves.”