Hot Springs hustles in home opener

HOT SPRINGS 43, ARLEE 42

The Lady Savage Heat hosted their first game of the season against the Arlee Scarlets, earning the win 43-42.

Hot Springs came out winning the tip but it would be the Scarlets who were quick to answer with the first basket. For most of the first quarter both teams would go points for points until with less than two minutes left Arlee was able to pull ahead. Sophomore Kara Christensen was able to tie up the game, when the Scarlets answered with a swift three-point shot. With only 30 seconds left Arlee would foul putting Christensen on the free throw line. She was able to put the Lady Savage Heat up by two points. Starting the second quarter Hot Springs was up by four points, 16-12. It would be the Lady Savage Heat who would come into the second earning the first points. Hot Springs would hold Arlee to minimal scoring in the start of the second, but the Scarlets were able to break past the tight-knit Lady Savage Heat defense to bring the score to a nail biting point lead going into half time.

Arlee came back in the second half with fire, sinking the first basket to take the lead once more. Hot Springs was unable to take back the lead for the better half of the third quarter. Christensen proved to be a powerhouse in the paint, getting a rebound from a missed Arlee shot, taking the shot chance putting the Lady Savage Heat up by one. Hot Springs was able to keep that momentum going into the final quarter up by five points. The Scarlets came into the fourth quarter trying to put out the fire that the Hot Springs had, keeping the Lady Savage Heat to minimal scoring. Hot Springs' defense never faltered and they were able to keep the lead and secure the win 43-42.

The Lady Savage Heat were set to play in Plains on Tuesday. Results were not available at press time. They will travel to St. Regis on Thursday.

ARLEE 76, HOT SPRINGS 36

The Savage Heat took on the Arlee Warriors falling in their first home game of the season 36-76.

Arlee came out with fire, earning the tip and the first basket from a three pointer. Hot Springs was able to answer with a three pointer of their own, tying the score. Both teams would go back and forth scoreless until the Savage Heat were able to break past the intense defense of the Warriors one more time. Arlee was able to answer back with a basket of their own. With only minutes left Arlee was able to shut down Hot Springs to take the lead. With thirty seconds left in the first the Warriors would foul putting Ben Aldridge on the line. Aldridge was able to make both shots making the score 11-12 going into the second quarter. Going into the second Arlee came out getting the first points, but the Savage Heat were able to answer back with baskets of their own. Within a blink of an eye there were three minutes left before the half and the Warriors were up by 12 points. Hot Springs was only able to get one more basket before Arlee took a massive lead 19-40.

Coming back from the half the Warriors would put intense and aggressive full court pressure on the Savage Heat. The quarter would be almost halfway over before Hot Springs was able to put any more points on the board. The Savage Heat defense was no match for the quick footed Warriors, who put down multiple three-pointers in the third quarter. Going into the final quarter Arlee was up 62-28. As hard as the Savage Heat fought they just couldn't break free of the full court pressure that the Warriors put on. After a valiant battle it would be Arlee who would take the massive lead and lock down the win 76-36.

Hot Springs headed to Plains on Tuesday. Those results will be in next week's Ledger. They then face the St. Regis Tigers on Thursday.