BUTTE — The Frenchtown and Bigfork girls, two of the top teams in Class A all season, will square off for the Western division championship Saturday at the Civic Center.
The game will not only decide the West's best, but it will serve as a rematch of a season-opening between the teams on Dec. 8, which Frenchtown won by three in overtime.
Frenchtown defeated Browning 57-43 in Friday's semifinal round to advance to the title game, while Bigfork ran past Dillon 61-36 in the day's other semi. Saturday's championship is scheduled to tip off at 8:15 p.m.
Frenchtown 57, Browning 43
Mason Quinn and Madi Kaufman continue to lead Frenchtown's postseason push.
Kaufman had 23 points and Quinn added 22 points and 15 rebounds as the Broncs outpaced Browning 57-43 in the semifinals of the Western A girls divisional basketball tournament Friday at the Civic Center.
A night earlier in the first round, the Kaufman/Quinn duo combined for 41 points in a rout of Ronan. Saturday's win not only sends the Broncs to Saturday's title game but also gives them a berth to the state tournament.
Kaufman hit four 3-pointers while Quinn shot 10 for 12 from the foul line. Sadie Smith added 10 points and six rebounds.
Browning will play in loser-out action Saturday. The Indians were led by Jerel White Grass, who scored 13 points. Kalcie Connelly added nine points and seven rebounds for Browning.
Bigfork 61, Dillon 36
Bigfork continued its winning march in its first year back at the Class A level with a 61-36 win over Dillon in Friday's other semifinal matchup.
The Valkyries jumped out to a 12-point advantage after the first quarter and didn't relent, eventually building a lead that reached 29 points in the fourth quarter to clinch a state berth.
Paeten Gunlock led Bigfork with 23 points on 7-of-11 shooting, and sister Braeden Gunlock delivered a double double of 11 poitns and 13 rebounds. Callie Gembala had 10 points and Ava Davey chipped in eight for the Vals.
Defensively, Bigfork forced Dillon into 22 turnovers. Davey had five steals and Afton Lambrecht swiped the ball four other times (and pulled down nine rebounds).
Halle Fitzgerald's 11 points led the way for Dillon, which fell into the loser-out bracket Saturday. Kenleigh Graham had eight points and seven rebounds for the Beavers. Kylie Konen also pulled down seven rebounds.
Friday loser-out scores
Ronan 51, Hamilton 36
Columbia Falls 61, Corvallis 29
