Heat do their best against Charlo

To be the best, you have to play the best.

Playing the best team going in District 14C last week, the Hot Springs Savage Heat girls lost 60-25 to the undefeated Charlo Vikings in Hot Springs Friday, but you will not hear Heat coach Richard Jackson complaining about it.

In fact, quite the opposite.

“Charlo is again the best team in the district and probably one of the best in the state,” Jackson said of the Bret Thompson-coached Vikings. “We have no problem playing against good teams like that, that is how teams get better, and we want to get better.”

Although the score would appear lopsided, the 25 points Hot Springs scored against Charlo is one of the highest totals the Vikings have allowed all season.

“Our younger girls are playing better as they get more minutes,” Jackson said. “We had way too many turnovers but we rebounded very well. We will take what we learned and move on from here.”

Lizzy Fisher scored 13 points to lead the Heat against Charlo, Katelyn Christensen added 10 and Emma Rae Rassmussen two.

Connor Fryberger canned 16 points to pace Charlo, Kassidi Cox scored 10, Mila Hawk nine, Carlee Fryberger and Live Smith seven each and Hayleigh Smith five.

The only downer of the game for Charlo was a severe ankle injury Liev Smith suffered.

The Heat have two games with Sanders County foes this week, playing at Plains Thursday and then hosting Noxon in Hot Springs Friday.