Noxon nabs first seed at districts

Noxon wins last 3 games of season to finish in 1st place

Heading into the final week of regular season, the Noxon Red Devils' destiny was in their own hands and that was exactly how they wanted it.

"It was up to us if we wanted to get first or third place," said Noxon coach Ryan Weltz.

There was no way that Noxon's Peter Ferrell was going to allow the Red Devils to finish in anything but first place. The senior averaged 22 points in Noxon's final three games, including 28 points against Hot Springs in a 61-53 victory in the final game of season. "He had a great week," said Weltz.

The math was simple in Saturday's match-up in Noxon; whoever won would win the regular season District 14-C title and earn a first-day bye in the district tournament in Ronan. The Red Devils built an early lead and had a 18-12 lead by the end of the first quarter. Noxon had widened the margin to nine points with just under four minutes to play in the half, when Ferrell took over. Ferrell finished out the half by scoring eight-straight points to give Noxon a 31-14 lead at the halfway point. "He's the one that gave us the lead," said Weltz.

Trailing by 17 points, the Savage Heat spent the second half trying to get themselves out of the hole they had dug in the first half. Hot Springs couldn't make up any ground in the third quarter and went into the fourth trailing 47-29, but then Savage Heat seniors Drew Flagen and Nick Pavelich took over.

Flagen and Pavelich combined to score 22 of Hot Springs' 24 points in the final quarter to give the Savage Heat a chance to win. "They both played hard and they both had a great second half." said Hot Springs coach Kevin Meredith. "They played with a lot of heart," he added.

Pavelich, a 6-foot-4 center, had 12 points in the quarter, including a three-point play with under a minute to play that cut the Noxon lead to 56-51. Flagen had 10 points in the quarter, with his last basket coming at :26, which brought the Savage Heat within four points. Noxon went on to ice the game at the foul line and escaped with a 61-53 victory and the District 14-C regular season title.

Pavelich finished the game with 24 points and 12 rebounds. Flagen finished with 19 points. Cody Linderman, a junior, had 14 points for Noxon and senior Ryan Eichert put in 11.

Noxon was facing a similar situation, when they hosted Superior Friday; if the Bobcats won, they would finish in first place. Ferrell had 25 points in the Red Devils' 66-52 victory and Linderman put in 18. Noxon started the week with a make-up game in St. Regis Thursday. The Red Devils' used a 31-2 second quarter to cruise to 73-36 victory. Linderman led Noxon in scoring with 17 points. Ferrell followed with 13 and Kody Green finished with 11.

Weltz said his team showed a lot of heart in winning their last three games to finish in first place. He said Noxon has a winning tradition and finishing in first place was important to them. "These guys kind of feel like it's theirs and so we don't want to give it up. Weltz said. "It means a lot to them," he added.

The Red Devils finished the season 12-5 and 8-2 in league play. Noxon earned a first-day bye at the District 14-C Tournament at Ronan. They will play the winner of the Two Eagle Charlo game Friday at 3:45 p.m. Hot Springs takes on St. Regis at 8 p.m. Thursday.