Bigfork Valkyries gear up for Western A Divisionals

The Bigfork Valkyries are officially heading to Hamilton as the Western A #1 seed, and the atmosphere at practice is electric. In this episode of Keeping Score, host Luke Schmit goes behind the scenes to talk with the key figures driving this championship push. Senior standout Paeten Gunlock discusses the unique pressure of being the final member of her storied basketball family to play at Bigfork, her transition into a leadership role, and her future playing for Carroll College. Joining her is teammate Payton DeSpain, who highlights the team's fierce competitiveness and the "loyal" culture that keeps them grounded under pressure. Finally, first-year head coach Isaac Martel opens up about the privilege of coaching in the same gym where he played varsity ball and how he’s navigating the transition from volunteer to head coach while managing the high expectations of a postseason run.Northwest Montana deserves strong news reporting. Your donation helps continue work like this possible. Learn more at dailyinterlake.com/support Thanks to Corwin Motors for sponsoring the Keeping Score podcast! They’re proud to be family-driven for over 100 years. Corwin’s commitment goes beyond selling cars; they’re dedicated to serving our community and providing you with the highest quality vehicles to fit your lifestyle. Whether you’re searching for reliability, style, or comfort, they’ve got you covered. If you’re in the market for a new Chevrolet or just want to learn more, visit http://corwinmotorskalispell.com.   For full coverage and the latest sports updates, visit the Daily Inter Lake at: https://dailyinterlake.com/news/sports/. Support local journalism and subscribe to us!  Watch this podcast and more on our YouTube Channel. Find us on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter. Got a news tip, want to place an ad, or sponsor this podcast? Contact us!