Keeping Score

The Whitefish Lady Bulldogs are headed to the Montana Class A State Basketball Tournament after a gritty 39–37 win over Bigfork in the Western A Divisional third-place game in Hamilton!

In this episode of Keeping Score, reporter Luke Schmit catches up with freshman Avery Orme, Allie Shors, and head coach Bob Bolam moments after the victory. The young Bulldogs squad battled through a physical game, showcased strong team def...

Avery Orme of the Whitefish Lady Bulldogs is this week’s Poster Player of the Week, following an exceptional performance at the Western A Divisional tournament in Hamilton. The freshman standout led her team with 17 points and two critical three-pointers in a hard-fought 39-37 victory over rival Bigfork to secure third place in the west. This win represents a significant milestone for the program, marking Whitefish’s first tourname...

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 ...

Redemption has never tasted so sweet! In this episode of Keeping Score, we celebrate our Poster Player of the Week, Julia Kay of the Flathead Bravettes. After a heartbreaking injury cut her championship dreams short in 2025, Julia returned to the mats at the All-Class State Wrestling Tournament in Billings with a mission.

Northwest Montana deserves strong news reporting. Your donation helps continue work like this possible. Learn mo...

The mats have been rolled up at First Interstate Arena, and the Keeping Score team is back to break down an unforgettable weekend of high-stakes competition. Host Luke Schmit sits down with Daily Inter Lake sports reporter Jon Allen to review the 2026 All-Class State Wrestling Tournament in Billings, where local athletes from across the Flathead Valley left their mark on history.

The conversation highlights the incredible ...

The Flathead Bravettes just sent a massive message to the rest of Western AA! In this episode of Keeping Score, we break down a dominant performance by our Poster Player of the Week, Reese Rosenberg. Reese was absolutely lights-out from beyond the arc, dropping 15 points and three triples to lead Flathead to a commanding 66-42 victory over the Glacier Wolfpack.

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Crosstown: Defense fuels Pack boys; Bravettes romp ...

Poster Player of the Week Olivia Warriner stepped up big for the Glacier Wolfpack, dropping 7 points and a triple against the undefeated Western AA leaders, Missoula Big Sky.

Glacier prepares to host the Flathead Braves at the Wolf Den on Thursday, February 19th. With the boys looking to repeat their narrow January victory and the girls seeking redemption after a tough loss to the Bravettes, everything is on the line. Can Glacier de...

The Cat-Dog rivalry delivered another electric night of Northwest A basketball, and Columbia Falls walked away with statement wins over Whitefish in both boys and girls matchups. On this episode of Keeping Score, we break down the rivalry doubleheader with postgame reactions from Columbia Falls players and coaches, plus insight into what these wins mean for the conference race.

Hear from Easton Brooks, Jory Hill, and Coach...

Columbia Falls junior guard Alexa Friske is this week’s Poster Player of the Week after a standout performance in the Cat-Dog rivalry matchup against Whitefish. Friske poured in 21 points, knocking down three first-half 3-pointers and scoring 14 points after halftime to lead the Wildkats to another rivalry win.

The victory marked Columbia Falls’ ninth straight win over Whitefish dating back to 2021, continuing one of North...

Flathead Braves senior guard Lance Schneller is our latest Poster Player of the Week after a strong two-game stretch against Helena Capital and Helena High. Schneller led Flathead in scoring against one of the Western AA’s top teams, showcased his consistency across back-to-back nights, and continues to be a defensive force as the Braves’ steals leader.

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Stellar Schneller: Flathead guard having solid senior s...

Crosstown basketball delivered everything it promised — intensity, momentum swings, and a finish that came down to free throws and final seconds. Daily Inter Lake reporter Luke Schmit speaks to Glacier and Flathead players and coaches after Friday night’s crosstown doubleheader at Flathead High School.

In the boys’ game, Glacier survived a furious Flathead rally to escape with a 54–52 win, knocking down 11 free throws in the final q...

Clutch free throws. Crosstown pressure. Big-time performance.

Glacier’s Cooper Pelc earns Poster Player of the Week honors after dropping 22 points in a 54–52 win over Flathead.

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Thanks to Corwin Motors for sponsoring the Keeping Score podcast! They’re proud to be family-driven for over 100 y...

Glacier senior Karley Allen delivers a performance to remember, pouring in 30 of the Wolfpack’s 45 points in a thrilling back-and-forth battle with the Sentinel Spartans. Allen buried five 3-pointers, including four in the first half, showcasing the poise and scoring ability that has made her one of the most dynamic athletes in the Flathead Valley. 

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A packed gym, a tight game, and one shot that changed everything. On this episode of Keeping Score, host Luke Schmit goes courtside in Bigfork after Austin Savik drains a game-winning basket to lift the Vikings in Northwest A conference play.

Luke sits down with Austin Savik, Tamret Savik, and Treker Hicke to break down the moment, the mindset behind staying confident, and what’s fueled Bigfork’s resilience. The players ta...

On this episode of Keeping Score, we spotlight Whitefish wrestling standout Sam Akey, our latest Poster Player of the Week. Akey delivered a dominant performance in the 215-pound class at the Libby/Browning/Whitefish dual, winning all three of his matches...two in under a minute.

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Bigfork Vikings guard Austin Savik is this week’s Poster Player of the Week after a standout stretch that showcased his scoring ability and leadership on the court.

Savik knocked down four three-pointers and finished with 23 points in a hard-fought loss to Lockwood, then followed it up with 16 points the next day to help lift Bigfork to a win over Havre. As conference play begins in Class A basketball, the Vikings head on the road t...

Bjorn Pedersen is our Poster Player of the Week after a dominant opening stretch for the Columbia Falls boys’ basketball team. Pedersen caught fire from deep, knocking down five three-pointers and scoring 28 points in an 86–43 blowout win over Miles City. He followed that performance with 23 more points the next day as the Wildcats rolled past Hardin 74–47, showcasing offensive depth and early-season chemistry.

With Peders...

Columbia Falls boys basketball is off to a strong start, and Jory Hill is setting the tone. On this episode of Keeping Score, we spotlight Hill as this week’s Poster Player of the Week after he led the Wildcats in scoring at the Western A Tip-Off in Frenchtown.

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 s...

Flathead High School boys and girls basketball are officially back, and Keeping Score takes you inside both programs ahead of opening weekend. Host Luke Schmit sat down with seven players and coaches — Grace Gall, Taylor Greene, Caitlin Converse, Coach Kelly Fox, Coach Dan Trageser, Boston Case, and Ben Reichner — to break down team chemistry, off-season growth, key returners, leadership, and the defensive identity they’re building...