Red Devils are perfect, Bluehawks go 1-1 in Winter Classic hoop action

The Noxon Red Devils notched a pair of wins at the Thompson Falls Boys' Basketball Winter Classic Friday and Saturday, and the Bluehawks held their ground with a win in the season-opening tournament.

Six teams hit the court over the weekend for round-robin action. Noxon and Seeley-Swan were undefeated, Thompson Falls and Deer Lodge chalked up a win and loss apiece and Eureka and Mission were winless.

Thompson Falls notched a win over an aggressive Deer Lodge team 61-57 Friday, surviving a tense fourth quarter with clutch buckets from John Buckingham down the stretch. Buckingham, a junior guard, was one of the Bluehawks' most potent offensive weapons versus the Wardens, tallying 13 points. Buckingham sank three crucial two-point baskets in the fourth quarter.

Six-foot guard Dillon Gerstenberger, a junior, led Thompson Falls with 22 points, including six three-point buckets. Buckingham was the only other Bluehawk to score from beyond the arch, sinking a three-pointer in the first quarter.

Also tacking on points for Thompson Falls were Mike Wood (eight), Brandon Damaskos (seven) and Brian Schenavar (six).

Noxon took on Mission Friday, and came away with a decisive 48-35 win. Junior Cody Linderman took charge of the Red Devils' offensive attack, nailing seven two-point baskets for a team-leading 14 points. Linderman racked up eight points on four baskets in the second quarter. Peter Ferrell, a senior, added 13 points, including five two-point buckets and a three. Ryan Eichert rounded out Noxon's top scorers with three scores from beyond the arch.

The Red Devils cemented their lead heading into the second half, cruising to 21 points in the second quarter. Two of Eichert's three pointers came in the second quarter. Noxon added just six points in the fourth quarter, but the squad was able to hold off Mission for the win.

Thompson Falls could muster just 49 points versus a powerhouse Seeley-Swan team Saturday. The Bluehawks fell to the Blackhawks 49-75, and the Seeley-Swan team also recorded a lopsided 80-41 win over Eureka Friday.

Schenavar, a senior guard, stepped up for Thompson Falls, cruising to 18 points including two three-point buckets in the second quarter. Schenavar sank four three-point baskets versus the Blackhawks.

Gerstenberger and Damaskos each contributed nine points. Gerstenberger nailed a pair of three pointers and added a field goal and a free throw. Three of Damaskos' points came on free throws, and the senior forward also tacked on three two-point buckets.

Nathan Nigh scored five points for the Hawks, and Buckingham added a pair of field goals.

Momentum from the Red Devil's win versus Mission carried through to Saturday action, as Noxon delivered a pounding to Eureka, 55-36.

Linderman delivered another standout performance for the Red Devils, chalking up 16 points on three field goals, three two-point baskets and a free throw. Eichert took it to Eureka from behind the arch, sinking four three-point buckets. Eichert and Ferrell each contributed 14 points to the Noxon offensive charge.

Next up for the Bluehawks is an away showdown with Troy Friday. Noxon travels to Two River Eagle School Friday.