Whitefish standouts earn All-Northwest A Conference honors

Whitefish High School was well represented in the postseason awards for the Northwest A Conference, with several Bulldogs earning all-conference and all-state recognition following the release of the league’s honors earlier this week.

Headlining the list for Whitefish was freshman Avery Orme, who was named to the All-Northwest A first team and earned All-State honors after a standout debut season. Orme emerged as one of the top scorers in the conference, averaging 16.5 points per game while also contributing 7.7 rebounds per contest. Her all-around performance helped guide the Bulldogs to their first State A tournament appearance since 2021.

Whitefish sophomore Allie Shors joined Orme on the All-Northwest A first team, further solidifying the Bulldogs’ presence among the conference’s elite. Shors played a key role throughout the season.

The Bulldogs also saw recognition from the sidelines, as head coach Bob Bolam was named Co-Coach of the Year alongside Bigfork’s Isaac Martel. Bolam helped lead Whitefish back to the state tournament and oversaw the development of a young roster that made significant strides over the course of the season.

Additional honors for Whitefish included sophomore Reese Hudson, who was named honorable mention.

Around the conference, Bigfork senior Paeten Gunlock was named the girls Most Valuable Player. A four-time All-State selection, Gunlock averaged 25.9 points per game and led the Valkyries to a third consecutive State A tournament appearance. She was joined on the All-State girls team by Orme and Polson junior Rylee Taylor-Jefferson.

On the boys side, Ronan senior Kolby Finley earned Most Valuable Player honors after averaging 18.2 points and 8.1 rebounds per game while helping the Chiefs return to the State A tournament. Finley was also named All-State for the second straight year.

Whitefish junior Will Sisson represented the Bulldogs on the boys side as an honorable mention selection.

All-Northwest A  

GIRLS  

First Team  

Paeton Gunlock, sr.    Bigfork*  

Avery Orme, fr.    Whitefish*  

Rylee Taylor-Jefferson, jr.    Polson*  

Onnikka Lawrence, jr.    Columbia Falls  

Allie Shors, so.    Whitefish  

*-denotes All-State selection.  

MVP: Paeten Gunlock, Bigfork  

Co-Coaches of Year: Isaac Martel, Bigfork, and Bob Bolam, Whitefish.  

Second Team  

Rylee Sweeney, jr.    Columbia Falls  

Josephine Michael, jr.    Browning  

Kendee Ollinger-Calf Boss Ribs, fr.    Browning  

Nefertiti Stewart, 8    Ronan  

Hinkley Moss, jr.    Polson  

Honorable mention — Alexa Friske, jr., Columbia Falls; Aleysia Black, jr., Polson; Reese Hudson, so., Whitefish; Rylee Delmas, jr., Libby; Payton DeSpain, so., Bigfork; Tess Trombley, sr.,  Browning; Kailyn Morengo, jr., Ronan.  

BOYS  

First Team  

Kolby Finley, sr.    Ronan*  

Bjorn Pedersen, sr.    Columbia Falls*  

Matiya Nenemay, jr.    Ronan*  

Shayde St. Goddard, sr.    Browning  

Austin Savik, sr.    Bigfork  

*-denotes All-State selection  

MVP: Kolby Finley, Ronan  

Coach of the Year: George Sherwood, Ronan  

Second Team  

Malakai Curley, jr.    Polson 

Easton Brooks, sr.     Columbia Falls  

Jhett McDonald, sr.    Ronan  

Jory Hill, jr.    Columbia Falls  

Royce Madplume, sr.    Browning  

Honorable mention — Will Sisson, jr., Whitefish; Kyson Michel, so., Polson’; Siouxprixm Qualtier, jr., Ronan; Treker Hickey, sr., Bigfork; Reis Reevis, jr., Browning; Jett Pitts, jr., Columbia Falls; Tamret Savik, s., Bigfork. 

    Whitefish girls basketball coach Bob Bolam. (Pilot file)