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BIGFORK- The Bigfork boys basketball team has continued its winning ways over the last few years with new men in charge.

Three different coaches have led the Vikings since 2008 and while the newest head man may be young, reporter Laura Wilson found out he has a long history of coaching experience on his side.

This may be Kurt Paulson's first year as Bigfork boys basketball head coach, but he's already helped bring a lot of stability and success to the Vikings basketball program.

"Kurt's awesome. I love coaching for Kurt. He's got so much energy and so many good things to say. He's just a positive influence on these kids and I know he's giving them a great experience," Assistant Coach Sam Tudor said.

Paulson was hired as head coach back in June and about a month later he scouted English teacher Sam Tudor to be his assistant coach. The two say their coaching chemistry was instant.

"I think the kids are enjoying having the both of us kind of tag-teaming the practices and the games, and hopefully they're having a lot of fun with it," Paulson observed.

That may have something to do with the 20-year long coaching relationship their fathers had together in Great Falls, although neither Kurt nor Sam made that connection at first.

"We used to pal around when we were little kids in Great Falls and our dads were coaching together at CMR High School. So much time had passed [that] we kind of forgot about each other," Paulson told us.

"Indeed it was the Sam Tudor that used to play with the Kurt Paulson in Great Falls. And being the coaches' sons, we used to do things together as families. And fast forward- here they are now, coaching at Bigfork High School," Kent Paulson said.

Midway through this season, the four coaches discovered it was an even smaller world.

"Kurt one day said, 'Dad, I think you coached one of my players' dads'. I had the good opportunity to have a reunion about a month ago with Christian Evan's dad- Kevin Evans, who was one of my all-time favorites in terms of many athletes that I had the good fortune of being in touch with over those years.

"They're looking after me more. They always kind of mention me after my dad because they used to call him 'Sky.' So now they call me Sky Junior," explained Evans.

Kurt and Sam have a long way to go if they want to follow in their fathers' footsteps, but both believe having that prior history will be beneficial in developing the school's basketball program.

"There's definitely a chemistry developing there. I think if Bigfork's fortunate enough to have Kurt be here for a few years, I know that the program is only going to get stronger," Tudor predicted.

The one season together feels like 20 years between me and Sam. It kind of feels like I've known him for 20 years, so we'll see if we last that long," Paulson concluded.

Bigfork won the regular season title in the 7B this year, but the Vikings were upset in last weekend's district championship game by Troy, 38-36. But, they still earned a spot in this week's Western B Divisional Tournament that will be held in Hamilton.