Young, hungry, and tested. After a 16-6 season, the Lady Bulldogs out of Whitefish have grown into a contending team, earning a spot in the Class A State Tournament in Great Falls.

Three Northwest A teams are headed to Four Seasons Arena: Ronan’s boys and the Bigfork girls each earned spots out of divisionals. 

Whitefish vs. Havre 

The Bulldogs open against the Havre Blue Ponies, a program that has become a familiar face at state. 

“We haven’t played them for a couple years. East-West tip-off (lost 57-29 on Dec. 15, 2023),” Whitefish coach Bob Bolam said. “It wasn’t a very successful game for us.” 

Havre remains a contending program under new coach Tommy Brown, who took the reins after Dennis Traske retired. 

“They’re on the second year of a new coach and they’re still very successful. They’re used to being there. From when we last made state, three of the same teams are back — Laurel, Havre and Billings Central,” Bolam said. 

The Blue Ponies are led by senior guard Amaya Jarvis, who averages 18.7 points per game and is commited to Central Washington University. 

“She’s a good, savvy guard. Can hit the three, drive and pass it,” said Bolam. 

Ariana Gary adds 11.1 points per game and anchors Havre’s frontcourt; the senior returned from a six-game absence due to injury in January.  

“They’re the leaders of that team and do a good job. They’ve been very successful their whole careers. We know about them and know they’re tough to stop,” Bolam said. 

Whitefish enters the tournament with a young core that has sprouted at the right time. 

Freshman Avery Orme leads the Bulldogs with 16.5 points, 7.7 rebounds and 2.8 steals per game, while sophomore Allie Shors adds 12.2 points and 9.2 rebounds. 

Another Sophomore, Reese Hudson, contributes 8.4 points per game and leads the team with 24 triples. 

The Bulldogs showed their resilience at the Western A Divisional tournament, capturing their first trophy since 2008. 

Bigfork vs. Billings Central 

The Bigfork Valkyries (16-6) face one of the biggest challenges in the state when they take on Billings Central (18-2), a program chasing its third straight state championship. 

“They’re just a really good program, top to bottom,” Bigfork coach Isaac Martel said. “They develop their younger players really well, and the coaching staff always has them ready to go.” 

Martel said his team learned that firsthand when the two programs met in the state championship game in 2024. 

“They came out with a great game plan and had their girls ready to play,” he said. 

Bigfork is led by senior Paeten Gunlock, who averaged 25.9 points during the regular season and 19.8 points during the divisional tournament. 

Billings Central counters with one of the state’s most dominant players in Lady Griz commit Kamryn Reinker. The MVP of the last two State A touraments averages 23.1 points, 10.9 rebounds and 3.7 steals per game. 

Annika Stergar adds 12.5 points per game for the Rams and is headed to Carroll College to continue her basketball career — same as Gunlock, meaning the two will be future teammates. 

Martel said the Valkyries will lean on their defensive identity that carried them throughout the season. 

“I know we are hard workers and never give up,” he said. “Even when shots aren’t falling, we can rely on defense to keep us in games.” 

Ronan vs. Lockwood 

Ronan enters the State A tournament with a 17-4 record after finishing second at the Western A Divisional. 

The Chiefs fell to Dillon 59-45 in the Western A final but remain poised heading to Great Falls. 

“We feel strong, confident and healthy,” Ronan’s coach George Sherwood said. “Obviously the divisional championship didn’t end how we wanted, but it was a nice reality check that we’re not invincible.” 

Ronan is led by senior Kolby Finley, who contributes 19.2 points, 8.2 rebounds and 5.6 assists each game. 

“Kolby’s awesome,” Sherwood said. “He’s a leader in every aspect of the word. He’s a role model in the community, in school, in the weight room and on the court.” 

Following Finley is Matiya Nenemay, a junior transfer from Hellgate that adds 17 points per game and leads the Chiefs in steals (39).  Senior Jhett McDonald averages 12.8 points. 

The Chiefs open against Lockwood, the Eastern No.3 seed despite a 20-2 record. 

The Lions are led by Kobe Blake, who averages 15.7 points and 4.8 rebounds per game. He’s joined by his brother Zicciah Callison Blake, who adds 11.7 points. 

“They’ve kind of been the measuring stick on the east side,” Sherwood said. “They have shooters around them and are as complete a team we’ve seen all year.” 

Despite the future challenge and loss to Dillon last week, Sherwood believes the experience prepared the Chiefs for the big stage. 

“Each game was its own test,” he said. “We learned from each one, and we’ll use that to prepare for the state tournament.”