Heat learning to compete

There is really no shame in losing.

Not when you are contemplating ways to get better by putting your heads together and talking things out; by attempting to make yourselves better for the next time out.

Coach Scott Fredrickson and his Hot Springs Savage boys may have lost to Mission 72-51 Friday but he was surprised, and pleased, with what he was hearing from his players immediately afterwards.

“They were talking about things they could do better, ways of dealing with different things out there on the court,” he said. “And I was really encouraged by that.”

Obviously learning as they go this season, the self-improving Savage Heat, now 4-3 for the season and 1-0 in district 14C conference play also mowed down Valley Christian 53-43 Thursday in another non-conference game.

The Heat play two 14C conference tilts this week, both within the friendly confines of Sanders County, hosting Plains Friday and visiting Noxon Saturday.

“It will be a Sanders County weekend,” Fredrickson said. “I watched Noxon play Charlo the other night and was impressed with how they stuck together after they lost their big guy. They regrouped and won the game in overtime without him after he fouled out in the fourth quarter.”

Fredrickson was referring to Noxon’s 47-44 win over the Vikings in Charlo Saturday. The Red Devil’s go-to player Rylan Weltz is the “big guy” the Hot Springs coach was talking about.

“We look for two good games this week,” Fredrickson said. “Plains is a very athletic bunch and Noxon obviously is getting better as they go, they are scrappy.”

One of the most prolific point-producers in Montana prep basketball this winter, senior Brandon Knudsen led the Heat versus Mission last week, scoring a game-high 28 points.

Kyle Lawson added eight points, Jack McAllister seven, Luke Waterbury six and Nathan Lawhead two.

Zoran LaFromboise led Mission with 19 points and Jedi Christy added 17.

Knudsen canned 28 more in the win over Valley Christian, Lawson added 11, McAllister eight, Waterbury six, Lawhead and Lincoln Slonaker two each, and Benedict Waterbury one.

Fredrickson was impressed with Lawson’s shooting from the line as the Savage Heat sophomore connected on 11 of 11 charity tosses in the two games last week.

Reiley Reimer shot down 16 points to lead Valley Christian and Michah McCloy scored eight.