Red Devils sweep Alberton

The Noxon Red Devils rang in the new year with two games. The boys and girls both won in Alberton last Friday, then played host to Troy on Saturday, with the boys winning 83-62 and the girls losing 62-39.

NOXON 36,

ALBERTON 23

The Lady Devils hit the court first in Alberton against the Panthers, taking the 36-23 win. The Panthers came out and would gain the first basket but it was quickly answered by Noxon with two outside three pointers to take the lead. The Devils would hold onto their lead for much of the first quarter, with Alberton close behind. Heading into the second quarter Noxon held a four-point lead over Alberton. Holding onto their lead, the Devils were the first to put points on the board in the second quarter. Keeping their momentum Noxon was able to gain several more baskets after swift steals. The Panthers were able to answer with a three pointer before the half but they would still be down two points.

Coming back from the half the Devils were able to gain the first baskets from quick fast breaks. Soon they had a 25-14 lead over the Panthers. Alberton was able to sneak in a three pointer, but it was answered with a Devil basket. Noxon would continue to break past the Panthers defense, putting more points on the board, earning a swift buzzer beater shot to put them further ahead. The Devils opened the final quarter with a swift three pointer that was answered with a Panther basket. The teams would go basket for basket, with the Devils keeping the lead. While the Panthers were able to put up another swift basket, it wouldn't be enough to take the win.

"Putting another win under our belts was really exciting. The girls stayed calm and focused and they had smiles on their faces," Brodmerkle said of her young team.

Seanna Richter led with 21 points, Jasmin Risch had 10 rebounds while teammate Georgia Boehme had eight. Emma Swanson had four assists and four blocks for the Devils.

NOXON 82,

ALBERTON 30

Then the Devils hit the court against the Panthers taking the 82-30 win. The Devils quickly came out and put up three back to back baskets before a Noxon foul allowed the Panthers to put points on the board. Using their height and a full court pressure, the Panthers still couldn't get by the tight knit Devils. Soon Noxon had a massive 15 point lead with less than two minutes left in the first quarter. The Devils were able to keep their lead heading into the second quarter, and would quickly put up two back to back baskets before Alberton was able to put more points on the board. The powerhouse Noxon team continued to work together to keep their large lead, putting more points between the teams before the half. Going into the half the Devils had a colossal 30 point lead over the Panthers.

The Panthers were able to gain the first points in the second half, but were quickly answered with a Devil three pointer. The teams would try to go basket for basket but the Panthers were unable to get past Shane Murray in the paint. Going into the final quarter the Devils still had a massive lead over the Panthers. Noxon would be the first to put more points on the board. While it was the lowest scoring quarter for Noxon, they only allowed Alberton one basket in the whole quarter to take the win.

Ricky Williams led for the Devils with 27 points, Shane Murray had 13 points, and Shane Hatchel and Justice Kayser each had nine points for Noxon.

NOXON 83, TROY 62

Noxon then hit the home court on Saturday, taking on the Troy Trojans with the boys taking the win 83-62.

The game started with a Devil technical foul that put the Trojans on the free throw line, sinking one shot. Troy held the lead, until Shane Murray was able to gain the ball and make an easy basket, and the Trojans were unable to answer with a basket of their own. Shane Hatchel was able to sink two back-to-back three pointers to keep the Devils in the lead. Troy tried to keep up with the tight knit Noxon team but were unable to get past them in the paint. Headed into the second quarter, the Devils kept their intense pressure on the Trojans and were able to put more points on the board and keep their large lead going into half time.

In the third quarter, Noxon came out to gain the first points, and before Troy could answer with their own basket the Devils had found themselves down court where once again Shane Murray was able to stun the crowd with a slam dunk. The Trojans were able to find the basket but with half a quarter left the score was 54-39. Cameron Blair was able to find the basket for a swift Devil three pointer with less than a minute left before the final quarter. Shane Hatchel was able to gain a basket from a swift steal to open the fourth quarter. Another steal landed Blair in the paint for another Noxon basket. The Trojans were able to find holes in the Devils defense to put more points on the board but they were unable to lessen the large point gap Noxon put between the teams. Hatchel was able to put up another two three pointers before the end of the game to steal the home court win.

TROY 62, NOXON 39

The Lady Devils then took to the court facing the Lady Trojans falling 62-39 at home. Troy opened the game with a swift basket but was answered by Abby Yoder with a three pointer for the Devils to take the lead. The teams would go basket for basket until the Trojans were able to take a slight lead. Seanna Richter made quick work of Troy and was able to gain a basket to bring the points within two. Another Richter basket and Jasmin Risch's three pointer and the Devils ended the first quarter in the lead. Troy was able to find the basket to start the second quarter and tie up the game. From there Troy was able to take a brief lead but Risch was able to sink back to back three pointers for Noxon to take back the lead. Troy would put down one more basket before the half, but the Devils held a four point lead.

The girls would go basket for basket in the third quarter before the Trojans would take a slight lead. Troy would pull ahead after several steals led to fast lay ups. The Devils did their best to answer with baskets of their own and would end the third quarter down just three points.

"The girls did really well for the first three quarters but crashed during the fourth quarter and couldn't keep up," said coach Brodmerkle.

The Trojans came out with new fire in the final quarter and would open with quick steals that led to multiple layups to put more points between the teams. With half a quarter left the Trojans held a 15 point lead over the Devils. Noxon was only able to gain two more baskets before the end of quarter.

"They did really well with ball movement and after talking during the first three quarters, we are going to continue working on that as well as rebounding and staying calm in any situation," coach Brodmerkle stated

Seanna Richter led with 16 points, Jasmin Risch behind with 14. Abby Yoder had seven rebounds while Richter had four assists for Noxon.

Noxon hosts the Plains Trotters and Horsemen on Friday with the boys starting at 4:30 p.m.