Noxon stages comeback, takes game from T-Falls

Noxon was down early but never quit and slowly chipped away at the Bluehawks until they found themselves up by two at the end of the game, 63-61.

Noxon won the tip and scored first to open the game but after that, it was all Thompson Falls for most of the first half. The Bluehawks employed the size of their big man in the post, Dallas VonHeeder. The 6-foot-4 senior was not only the tallest player on the floor but looked as though he outweighed anyone else by at least 20 pounds.

Along with VonHeeder's presence in the key, the overall athleticism of Thompson Falls overwhelmed Noxon. The Hawks muscled down offensive rebounds and blocked Noxon's shots in the paint. At the end of the first period, Thompson Falls enjoyed a 12-7 lead and controlled the momentum.

Offensively, the Red Devils continued to play aggressive basketball and drive to the hoop despite all the blocked shots. Midway through the second quarter, their persistence paid off as VonHeeder picked up his third foul sending him to the bench temporarily.

Noxon began to play with a controlled energy that resulted in rebounds and consistent scoring. Junior Cody Linderman found success penetrating the Hawks' zone defense and another junior, Jesse Allen, provided a spark off the bench. Allen, listed at 5 feet 10 inches tall, found his way inside collecting offensive rebounds and easy baskets.

Noxon's surge kept them within five to end the half down 32-27, but the game still belonged to Thompson Falls.

The second half saw the return of VonHeeder and the Bluehawks spread the ball around to all five players to score. Midway through the third period, Noxon came out of a time-out with six players and were given a technical foul. At that point, Thompson Falls controlled the momentum, but Noxon refused to give away the game.

With two minutes to go in the third quarter, Linderman drove to the hoop, was fouled and scored. He sank the free throw, converting the three-point play and suddenly the game was all tied up at 43. Allen scored twice in the last minute of the period and the Red Devils went into the fourth quarter with a 49-45 lead.

Thompson Falls started the last period going back inside to VonHeeder and Allen continued to score inside for Noxon. The intensity level in the gym began to heat up and the noise from the fans grew steadily louder. The scoring went back and forth and it became clear it would come down to the last play.

With two minutes on the clock, Brian Schenavar drove to the hoop and scored for Thompson Falls to tie the game at 59-59. Shortly after, the Bluehawks took the lead, 61-59, by pounding the ball inside to VonHeeder. Linderman scored on the other end with one minute to go and the game was tied again.

The ball ended up in the possession of Noxon as the last seconds of the game were ticking off. Linderman drove inside and was fouled with five seconds remaining on the clock. With the pressure on him, Linderman got both free throws to go down and Thompson Falls called time-out.

The Bluehawks had to inbound the ball and take it the length of the court where they could either try for a two-point shot to tie, or a three-pointer and the win. With everyone in the gym on edge, the two teams broke their huddles and many of the fans found their feet to watch the last five seconds.

The Bluehawks successfully got the ball through Noxon's loose full-court press and the ball was in the hands of senior Erik Gilbert as time was running out. Gilbert was forced to take a fade-away jumper from the elbow with a hand in his face. The shot was off and Noxon celebrated their second-half comeback victory.

Brandon Damaskos and VonHeeder led the scoring for Thompson Falls with 15 points each. VonHeeder secured a double-double with 11 rebounds.

Ryan Eichert scored 11 points for the Red Devils and Allen added 10. Linderman led all scorers with 23 and went 14-16 from the charity stripe. Thompson Falls out-rebounded Noxon 37 to 28.

Thompson Falls fell to 9-4 (6-0) with the loss. Their next game is Jan. 31, against Charlo. Noxon's victory brought them to 9-4 (4-2). They play Feb. 1, at St. Regis.