Blue Hawks secure big win over Bigfork, 81-75
Thompson Falls Blue Hawk Dante Micheli faces Bigfork’s Isak Epperly during last week’s game. Micheli's 20 points helped the Blue Hawks to an 81-75 win. (Scott Shindledecker/Valley Press)
The Thompson Falls boys basketball team passed a big early-season test when they knocked off Bigfork, 81-75, on the road last Tuesday, Jan. 12.
The Blue Hawks entered the game with a 3-0 mark, but the Vikings were their toughest opponent. Bigfork won back-to-back Class B state titles in 2018-19.
The Blue Hawks (4-0) used a big first quarter to take control, 23-13. While the Vikings worked to chip away at the lead the rest of the way, the Blue Hawks led 41-32 at halftime and kept the lead between nine and 12 most of the way before Bigfork cut it down to five points with 4:30 left in the game.
But Dante Micheli’s 3-pointer and a steal and layup by Nathan Schraeder with 2:40 left pushed the lead back to eight points, 72-64.
Michelle hit two free throws with 16 seconds left to make it 79-72.
Bigfork’s Isak Epperly hit a 3 with 6.8 left, but Micheli answered with two free throws with 5.4 left to seal the win.
Micheli and Kade Pardee each scored 20 points for the Blue Hawks while Cody Burk tallied 14 points, Tristan Subatch had 12 and Nathan Schraeder scored 10 for the Blue Hawks.
Micheli had a strong game as he added six assists and two steals. Pardee had 13 rebounds, four assists, three steals and two blocked shots. Schraeder added four steals.
The Blue Hawks had 12 steals and 10 deflections on defense, which helped them get several easy baskets. They also shot well from 3-point range, making 7 of 14.
The Blue Hawks are scheduled to play at Stillwater Christian Tuesday and then host Mission Thursday.