Gunlock steps down in Bigfork; Martel taking over Vals
FRITZ NEIGHBOR | Hagadone News Network | UPDATED 8 months AGO
Bigfork coach Cortnee Gunlock instructs the Valkyries in the fourth quarter against Lewistown at the Class A State Basketball Tournament at the MetraPark First Interstate Arena in Billings on Friday, March 14. (Casey Kreider/Daily Inter Lake)
Casey Kreider
SPORTS EDITOR Fritz Neighbor is the Sports Editor for the Daily Inter Lake. He oversees sports coverage across the Flathead Valley, including high school athletics, youth sports, and regional competitions. In his leadership role, he helps shape the newspaper’s sports coverage and editorial direction. Fritz’s column, Full Count, taps into his decades’ long career covering Montana sports. You’ll also see Fritz sharing his thoughts and insights on the Big Sky Now podcast. IMPACT: Fritz’s work celebrates the athletes and teams that bring Northwest Montana communities together. | November 25, 2025 11:00 PM
With barely two weeks left before the season, Bigfork High School announced Monday that girls basketball coach Cortnee Gunlock has stepped down after six seasons.
Matt Porrovecchio, Bigfork’s activities director, announced that Isaac Martel, who has spent the last two seasons as the Valkryies’ junior varsity coach, will lead the program.
“We are truly thankful for Coach Gunlock’s leadership,” Porrevechio said in the release. “Her impact on our athletes and our school community has been tremendous. She leaves behind a strong foundation, and while we are sorry to see her go, we wish her nothing but the best moving forward.”
Under Gunlock the Vals won their first-ever state trophy with a third-place finish at the 2022 State B tournament, then went 26-0 and won it all in 2023 — another first.
In 2024 Bigfork moved up to Class A and again advanced to the championship, narrowly losing to Billings Central 41-38.
Last season the Vals made their second straight State A tournament, finishing fourth with a 21-6 record. Bigfork went 116-31 under Gunlock.
Gunlock’s oldest daughter Braeden is a freshman playing women’s basketball for BYU; younger daughter Paeten is entering her senior season at Bigfork and has committed to play for Carroll College, having made three All-State teams. Troy and Cortnee Gunlock’s son Trae is a freshman in high school.
The release says: “The district fully supports her decision to prioritize these special moments with her children.”
Martel is a 2015 Bigfork graduate who played college basketball for Rocky Mountain College. He returned to his hometown in 2022 and spent one year as a volunteer assistant before taking over the JV program.
“We’re excited for Coach Martell to take the helm,” Porrovecchio said. “He brings knowledge of the game, strong relationships with our student athletes and a vision for continuing the excellence and culture established within the program. We look forward to this next chapter under his leadership.”
Bigfork begins its girls season Dec. 9 at Hamilton.
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