GREAT FALLS — It wasn’t the result the team wanted at the State A tournament, but the Bigfork girls gained vital minutes of postseason basketball for their programs at the Four Seasons Arena.

“It was a learning experience for them,” Bigfork coach Isaac Martel said after his team fell to Hardin 57-46 Friday. “Until you get into this environment and play big physical teams, it’s just different.”  

Bigfork loses Paeten Gunlock to Carroll College going forward, but the team remains young with the majority of players being sophomores. 

“It’s a privilege to have kids like that,” Martel said. “She (Gunlock) is a great worker, obviously super talented and it shows every night, we’re going to miss her.” 

Hardin 57, Bigfork 46 

Gunlock left it all on the court — 28 points, six assists, five rebounds and two blocks — but Hardin caught fire late.  

“I thought we played really hard; that’s something I have been proud of all season,” Martel said. “No matter the situation, these kids fly around and play hard defense, sometimes it just doesn't go your way.” 

Kevee Rogers led Hardin (19-5) with 19 points, including three triples in the fourth quarter. Taylor Slater added 15, and Annika Big Man contributed 11. 

The Vals (15-9) trailed 21-10 in the second quarter until Gunlock found a pair of steals and scored eight straight, cutting into the deficit 22-18 at the break. 

The second half saw runs from both teams. To start the final frame, Hardin received a technical foul that put Gunlock at the line to tie the game at 36. Then the Rogers show began. 

She made two triples within a 30-second span, then added another with 4:00 remaining, giving Hardin a 48-41 lead. 

Bigfork        5    13    14    14    -    46 

Hardin        13    9    13    22    -    57

BIGFORK — Keegan Campbell 2 0-0 6, Payton DeSpain 1 0-0 2, Eva Heil 0 0-0 0, Savanah Hedges 0 0-0 0, Josie Vick 0 0-0 0, Paeten Gunlock 9 9-10 28, Desi Dell 3 0-0 8, Emma Pargman 1 0-0 2. Totals 16 9-10 46. 

HARDIN — Zoey Real Bird 0 4-4 4, Zaylee Good Luck 0 2-2 2, Journey Hugs 0 0-0 0, Dakota Takes Enemy 1 1-2 4, Kevee Rogers 7 1-2 19, Marley Hugs 0 0-0 0, Annika Big Man 3 3-3 11, Taylor Slater 5 5-7 9. Totals 24 16-20 57.  

3-point goals — Bigfork 5 (Dell 2, Campbell 2, Gunlock), Hardin 7 (Rogers 4, Big Man 2, Takes Enemy). Fouls — Bigfork 15, Hardin 13. Technical foul — Old Elk. Fouled out — Real Bird.

Billings Central 58, Bigfork 24 

In a rematch of the 2024 A State Championship, Billings Central never trailed Bigfork in the opening round and the Rams three-headed trio combined for 44 points. 

Lady Griz commit Kamryn Reinker scored a game-high 18 points and Annika Stergar (Carroll College) and Amaya Lorash contributed 13 each. 

The Rams forced 27 turnovers and held Bigfork to four points in the first period. 

“There’s a reason they’re the two-time defending state champs and probably the overwhelming favorite again,” Bigfork coach Isaac Martel said. “It’s a different stage for us currently, but we can’t let that game define the rest of our weekend, we’ve got more basketball to play.” 

Paeten Gunlock led Bigfork with 15 points, three rebounds, and two assists. The Vals shot 10 of 39 from the field. 

Billings Central used a full-court press to blast out to a 22-2 lead. 

“It moves fast; you make a couple mistakes and suddenly, they’re up 10 then 20,” Martel said. “I was proud of them in the second half, they did the little things better.” 

“We’re going to need a lot more effort,” Gunlock said. “We’re still going to come out and compete the rest of the week.” 

Billings Central    22    16    13    7    -    58 

Bigfork        4    9    8    3    -    24 

Billings Central — Addy Alier 0 0-0 0, Annika Stergar 5 1-1 13, Emerson Dull 2 0-0 5, Kamryn Reinker 7 4-5 18, Karis Brightwing-Pease 2 0-0 5, Maggie Baker 0 0-0 0, Lorelai Hutzenbiler 1 0-0 2, Amaya Lorash 6 1-2 13, Abney Larsen 1 0-2 2. Totals 28 6-10 58. 

BIGFORK — Keegan Campbell 1 0-0 3, Payton DeSpain 1 1-2 3, Eva Heil 0 0-0 0, Savanah Hedges 0 0-0 0, Josie Vick 0 0-0 0, Paeten Gunlock 7 1-2 15, Desi Dell 1 0-0 3, Emma Pargman 0 0-0 0. Totals 12 2-6 24. 

3-point goals — Billings Central 4 (Stergar 2, Dull, Brightwing-Pease), Bigfork 2 (Dell, Campbell). Fouls — Billings Central 9, Bigfork 11. 

    Eva Heil ready to put up a shot against Hardin at State.
 Steve Mitchell   

    Payton DeSpain of Bigfork puts up a shot during the Montana State Tournament game vs. Hardin.
 Steve Mitchell   

    The Bigfork High School band performs at the State A tournament. (Steve Mitchell photo)
 Steve Mitchell   

    Paeten Gunlock of Bigfork High School during a State A game against Hardin. (Steve Mitchell photo)
 Steve Mitchell   

    Payton DeSpain of Bigfork High School makes a play at the State A tournament in a game against Hardin. (Steve Mitchell photo)
 Steve Mitchell   

    Paeten Gunlock of Bigfork High School during a State A game against Hardin. (Steve Mitchell photo)
 Steve Mitchell   

    Paeten Gunlock of Bigfork High School during a State A game against Hardin. (Steve Mitchell photo)
 Steve Mitchell