Lady Hawks refuse to lose, fight off Bigfork

Those refuse-to-lose Blues, better known as the Thompson Falls Lady Hawks.

Faced with a serious challenge from Bigfork on their own court Saturday, the Lady Hawks simply would not let the game go, and stayed with it to the end in fighting off the visiting Vals 60-53.

Although the final score was fairly close, the Lady Hawks were never really in danger of losing after having built a lead of as many as 18 points early in the fourth quarter. Bigfork junior Emma Berreth did her best to keep the Vals in it, scoring a game-high 26 points, but the Hawks' team depth was a little too much for the visitors.

The Hawks countered Berreth behind the big play of the Baxter sisters as Megan Baxter led the way with 19 points, 14 rebounds, five assists, seven blocked shots and three steals and little sis Ellie added six points, seven assists, six rebounds and three steals.

Faith Frields chipped in with 11 points, Elli Pardee nine, Jody Detlaff eight, Caity Alexander five and Riley Wilson two.

Callie Martinez added 10 points for Bigfork.

"We played a solid game, were on the verge of breaking it open a few times," coach Chadd Laws said. "Now we want to concentrate on getting ready for the rest of it."

The rest of it was to begin with a road game at Class A Libby Tuesday (results were not available) and the Hawks will conclude regular season play hosting Florence Saturday.

Florence obviously has some chops as evidenced by the Falcons' 49-47 win over Anaconda last week. And Anaconda has defeated defending State B champion Loyola twice this season. The game with Florence was a late addition to schedule.

"We feel good about getting this game heading into the tournament," Laws said. "We are excited to see Florence and see what they are all about."

Another benefit of playing Florence is the fact that the Hawks will square off with Florence again in the first round of the Western B divisional tournament in Eureka February 25.

In other action last week the Lady Hawks defeated Stillwater Christian 78-49 in Kalispell Tuesday.

Megan Baxter poured in 30 points to lead the Hawks, in addition to grabbling 13 rebounds and passing out five assists, Detlaff scored 14 points, cleared six rebounds and dished out seven assists and Ellie Baxter added 10 points, nine rebounds and four assists.

Pardee pitched in with nine points and four assists, Alexander scored six points, Frields four, Wilson three and Dannijo VanHuss two.

Madison Morken scored 15 points for Stillwater and Zoe Linn 11.