Missoula Prep Sports Network

Prep Weekly Spotlight 1/23

For this weeks Prep Weekly Spotlight we showcase the hardwood classic between Loyola and Bigfork that could result in seating for the top spot in Class B boys basketball.

Boys Fight For #1 In 6B
Saturdays game in Bigfork will be a match on the hardwood between the fourth and fifth ranked teams in Class B boys basketball that could decide seating for the divisional tournament in February. In their first match between the two teams December 18th the Vikings played on the Rams turf and squeaked away with a win after Loyola battled back after Bigfork led most of the game. Bigfork has the better record at 10-1 while the Rams are 12-2, but Loyola has the advantage due to beating Deer Lodge who is ranked sixth overall.

It is a revenge game for the Rams as they had the opportunity to take Bigfork at the RAC in the first match, but let the game slip away in the final moments. Expect this to be a battle that will be fought in the trenches where the Rams will have to control the Vikings strong man Logan Gilliard who has been dominating the paint since he stepped on the hardwood.

Changing Of The Guard
For the first time in a few seasons the Loyola Breakers where able to beat the Vals in their first match up in December which has strengthened Loyola’s confidence while at the same time given them an impressive resume. The Vals are a young group who are coming together game by game while healing injuries to roll players.

In the girls game Loyola will look to make it a clean sweep against the Vals while Bigfork will try to get back to back wins for the first time this season.  Look for the Breakers to install their press early to force the Vals into tight situations, while on the other end of the court Bigfork will need to control the pace of the game in order to keep the Breakers off balance.

The boys get the ball rolling at 2:00 pm at Bigfork high school, and the girls will tip off 20 minutes after the boys finish their game.