Savage Heat boys look to tourney

It’s showdown time.

Staring down the road looking into the bright lights of tournament play, now only a week away, the Hot Springs Savage Heat boys face two showdown games with Sanders County rivals this week.

Now 4-4 in 14C play and overall, coach Scott Fredrickson and his Heat fell 59-48 to the Charlo Vikings in Charlo Thursday, but will now set their sights on the 2-6, 2-7 Horsemen in Hot Springs Friday, and on 0-8, 0-8 Noxon in Noxon Saturday. The District 14C tournament, set to be played remotely, begins next Tuesday (see other story).

Although both played Thursday, Hot Springs starters Kyle Lawson and Jack McAllister were hindered by sprained ankles suffered the previous week.

“They are getting better every day but having those two hurt really affected our team speed last week,” Fredrickson said. “We didn’t realize how much we relied on them in getting back on defense.”

Charlo was able to take advantage of the Heat’s defensive lapses enough to pull out the win Thursday, but Fredrickson liked the way his boys competed in the loss.

“We were right in it in the fourth, tied it up with four minutes left,” he said. “Charlo made a little run at the end to win it, but it was close all the way.”

In spite of limited playing time due to their ankles, Lawson led the Heat in Charlo with 14 points and McAllister scored eight. In spite of limited playing time due to foul trouble, Nathan Lawhead also scored eight points, Mario Garcia scored nine, Lincoln Slonaker six, Quincy Styles two and Benedict Waterbury one.

Fredrickson said Styles’ defensive play, where he picked up four or five charging fouls, was a highlight.

Stetston Reum led Charlo with 25 points and Roper Edwards and Keaton Piedalue added 15 apiece.

If the 14C tourney were to start today based on current standings, Hot Springs would be hosting Plains next Tuesday, but the weekend’s upcoming games will settle the final seeding positions.