In a rekindling of a rivalry based on years of heated hand-to-hand combat on the basketball court, the Thompson Falls Lady Hawks are set to visit the Mission Bulldogs Tuesday.

Coach Mike Tessier’s Lady Hawks went around with the rival Bulldogs three times last season, winning by four on the road in Mission and losing by four at home in Thompson Falls, before falling in an epic overtime thriller to the Bulldogs in the District 7B championship game, also played in Mission.

Returning to the scene of that crime this week, Tessier sees another good game being the result. “These teams again appear to match up very well,” he said, “and this thing between us and Mission has been developing for a few years now. It’s a really good rivalry and of course we want to play well every time we face Mission.”

Both 7B teams fell to quality District 6B teams in non-conference action last week as the Lady Hawks opened play for 2026 hosting Loyola (the Breakers won 67-40), and Mission lost to Florence 73-38.

The Laird sisters for Loyola, junior Spencer and freshman Emme, put on a show in leading the Breakers past the Hawks. Looking every bit like a Division I prospect, Spencer went off for 40 points, including an amazing 20 in the second quarter alone (and 12 more in the third), to lead Loyola and Emme added 15 points in the game.

Playing second fiddle to the Laird sister act for the Breakers, Caitrin Harrington added nine points for Loyola.

Addy Deal bucketed 14 points to lead the Hawks, Annalise Fairbank and Solveig Nygaard added nine apiece, Gabi Hannum five and Hailey Roofner three.

In addition to meeting Mission Tuesday, the Lady Hawks also travel to Missoula for a non-conference game with the Valley Christan Eagles Thursday. A Sanders County showdown with the Trotters in Plains Jan. 15 is the next big game for the Hawks after that.

    LOOKING TO SCORE – Thompson Falls junior Addy Deal on a breakaway against Missoula Loyola at TFHS gym Friday. Deal scored a team-high 14 points for the Lady Hawks. (John Hamilton/vp-mi)