Hot Springs routs Alberton, preps for Noxon

The Hot Springs teams hit the road Tuesday taking on the Stillwater Christian Cougars with the girls gaining the 50-40 win, while the boys lost 88-72. Then they saw the Alberton Panthers at home on Friday. The Lady Savage Heat won 59-11, and the boys won 72-32.

STILLWATER

CHRISTIAN 88, HOT SPRINGS 72

At Stillwater Christian, the Cougars were able to put up several baskets before Hot Springs could gain their own. The Cougars hit four massive three pointers in the first quarter to propel them ahead. The Heat were able to make big plays in the second to try to catch up with the Cougars and tied up the game before halftime.

"We had a nice run in the second quarter to tie things up before halftime," said head coach Mike Benson.

In the third quarter the Cougars continued hitting big three pointers to take back their lead, but the Heat were right on their trail. Coming into the final quarter the Cougars had the lead and opened with a three pointer that was answered with a Heat basket. Stillwater continued to make big three pointers, and would have a massive 33-point quarter while Hot Springs was only able to gain 17, keeping the Cougars in the lead.

"It's the best team we've played in my mind, and we just played really well," Benson said of the game. "They are a big team and they can all shoot the ball."

Weston Slonaker led for the Heat with a massive 26 points, Wesley Adams and Chase DePoe had 12 each, and Ben Aldridge rounded it out with eight. "He's not very big, but he's a problem at the rim," Coach Benson said of Slonaker's 26-point game.

HOT SPRINGS 50, STILLWATER

CHRISTIAN 40

The Lady Heat then faced the Cougars, coming out to gain the first points. The Cougars quickly found holes in the Heat defense and were able to take the lead. Stillwater held onto their lead, only allowing Hot Springs seven points in the first quarter.

The Heat came out with new fire in the second quarter and were able to sink back-to-back baskets. Keeping the Cougars at bay during the second, Hot Springs was down by just five at the half. The Heat had a new fire in the third and continued to sink shot after shot, taking back the lead before the final quarter. They continued to fight for the win, putting down basket after basket before the Cougars could answer with their own. The fourth quarter was the biggest for the Heat, gaining 15 points to Stillwater's nine to take the road win.

Kara Christensen led with a massive 23 points for Hot Springs, while Lilia Sapanel had 15 points and Callie Cano had eight.

HOT SPRINGS 59,

ALBERTON 11

The Lady Savage Heat hit the court first against the Alberton, quickly gaining eight points before the Panthers could score. With intense full-court pressure, the Heat were able to gain several steals to continue putting more points between the teams. Alberton's only point in the first quarter would be from a free throw. Hot Springs continued to dominate in the second and soon had the score 30-1 before the Panthers were able to find the basket once more. The Heat would go into the half up by a massive 37 points.

Coming back from the half the Panthers were able to break past the tough Heat defense to put more points on the board. But Hot Springs continued their pressure and capitalized off several steals to extend the point gap. The Heat continued to make steals and fast layups in the fourth making the point gap even larger to seal the home court win.

Kara Christensen led with 15 points for the Heat with Mackenzie Johnson scoring 10 and Brooke Jackson, Lilia Sapanel and Callie Cano putting up eight each.

HOT SPRINGS 72,

ALBERTON 32

The Savage Heat came out with fast breaks to put points between them and the Panthers. Hot Springs upped their defense and made Alberton work for their one basket in the first quarter. The Panthers opened quarter two with two back- to-back three pointers. The Heat continued with their quick hands and were able to gain several steals that led to quick layups. Before the half the score was 40-16 with the Heat heavy in the lead. The Heat continued to sink baskets in the second half and would start the final quarter up by 30 points. Weston Slonaker opened the fourth quarter for the Heat with a three pointer, followed by back-to-back baskets from teammate Wesley Adams. Alberton came back with their own baskets but they couldn't put a stop to Hot Springs who continued to dominate the court to take the win.

"It was nice to get all the boys a bit of playing time in this game, I was pleased with their efforts and thought we had great defense," said coach Mike Benson. "We are looking forward to two big conference match ups with Noxon and Charlo this weekend."

Pedro Vidotti led for the Heat with 18 points, Wesley Adams had 16, Chase DePoe nine and Ben Aldridge and Daniel Slonaker each scored eight.

The Savage Heat host the Noxon Devils on Friday with the boys starting at 5:30 p.m.