Vals rally to make State A tournament
LUKE SCHMIT | Hagadone News Network | UPDATED 5 months, 2 weeks AGO
SPORTS REPORTER, KEEPING SCORE AND BIG SKY NOW PODCAST HOST Luke Schmit leads the charge on our local and regional sports podcast shows. His coverage includes regional and college athletics connected to Montana and the broader Big Sky Conference. Schmit reports on major games, athletes, and sports trends affecting teams across the region. He also contributes interviews, analysis, and multimedia coverage for digital audiences. His reporting helps readers stay connected to the teams and athletes that shape Montana sports. IMPACT: Luke’s work brings readers closer to the teams and athletes that define Montana’s sports culture. | March 11, 2026 12:00 AM
HAMILTON — Trailing by eight points with just over four minutes remaining, Paeten Gunlock willed the Bigfork Valkyries to a 46-43 victory against Browning Saturday morning at the Western A Divisional.
Gunlock’s 28 points helped the Vals clinch their third straight State A berth; they played Whitefish for third place later Saturday. The Bulldogs won a back-and-forth battle with Columbia Falls 48-45 behind Avery Orme’s 19 points.
Bigfork 46, Browning 43
In foul trouble early, Gunlock had 10 points in the final period.
Bigfork led 15-13 when Gunlock picked up her third foul in the second quarter, sending her to the bench for the remainder of the first half. The Vals didn’t score in the second quarter.
The Lady Indians brought the pressure and forced multiple turnovers. Kendee Ollinger-CalfBossRibs had nine points in the frame to give Browning a 23-15 lead at the break. She finished with 16 points.
Gunlock and Keegan Campbell made triples to cut the lead to 27-21 in the third, and Josephine Michael scored four points to help the Lady Indians (10-11) take a 37-30 advantage into the final frame.
That’s when Gunlock took over, scoring 10 straight points to put Bigfork up 45-40 with 17.5 seconds left.
“I’m so excited, I really wanted to make State this year, and we did just that,” Gunlock said. “We kept our heads up and told each other that we believe in one another.”
Bigfork 15 0 13 18 - 46
Browning 13 8 16 6 - 43
BIGFORK — Keegan Campell 1 1-2 4, Payton Despain 1 3-4 5, Eva Heil 0 1-2 1, Savanah Hedges 0 0-0 0, Josie Vick 0 0-0 0, Paeten Gunlock 8 10-12 28, Desi Dell 2 0-0 5, Emma Pargman 1 1-5 3. Totals 13 16-27 46.
BROWNING — Tess Trombley 4 1-2 9, Josephine Michael 2 2-4 6, Mylee Pretty Weasel 0 0-0 0, Nyahrae Tatsey 1 1-2 3, Peyton EagleFeathers 2 1-2 5, Zoey Valandra 0 0-0 0, Kendee Ollinger-CalfBossRibs 5 6-9 16, Tessley Hogberg 0 2-2 2, Rylynn Kipp-Carlson 0 0-0 0, Brooklyn Bird 1 0-0 2. Totals 15 12-21 43.
3-point goals — Bigfork 4 (Gunlock 2, Campbell, Dell), Browning 2 (Gunlock 2, Campbell). Fouls — Bigfork 13, Browning 17. Fouled out — Valandra.
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