Riding gets rough for Heat boys

The riding got a little rough for the Hot Springs Savage Heat boys last week as coach Scott Fredrickson and his hoop crew absorbed a pair of District 14C conference losses, falling 65-43 to Clark Fork in Alberton Thursday and 74-52 to the Tigers in Hot Springs Friday.

Now 4-4 in conference play and overall, the Heat play at 4-3, 5-3 Charlo Thursday in their only game of the week.

The light week of action comes at a good time for the Heat as team leaders Jack McAllister and Kyle Lawson both suffered ankle injuries during the second half of the game in St. Regis. Fredrickson said he thought both would probably be sitting out this week’s game with Charlo.

Fredrickson said the Heat played well early against Clark Fork.

“We couldn’t get the shots to go down in the second half,” he said. “And then we ended up gambling on defense and it got out of control on us.”

Mario Garcia led the Heat against the Mountain Cats with 13 points, McAllister added nine, Lawson eight, Nathan Lawhead seven and Quincy Styles six.

Carson Callison canned 27 points to lead Clark Fork, which leads 14C with a 7-0 conference record, Bryan Mask scored 17, Aaron Waddle 10 and Danner Haskins nine.

The game with explosive St. Regis got away from the Heat early, Fredrickson said.

“St. Regis really shot the ball well right from the start,” Fredrickson said. The Tigers took total control with a 24-5 win of the second quarter, taking a 42-18 lead into halftime.

Lawson scored 20 points before being injured, Garcia added 10, Austin Campbell seven, Lincoln Slonaker five, McAllister and Michael Marrinan four each and Styles two.

Caleb Ball poured in 25 points to pace St. Regis, John Pruitt scored 21 and Tanner Day 16.