Savage Heat repeats undefeated season

Jamie Doran

Valley Press

The Hot Springs Savage Heat did something that not many teams can claim to do. Not only did they go the entire 2008-09 basketball season undefeated, but they did it after going the 2007-08 season undefeated as well.

The Savage Heat wrapped up their undefeated season this past weekend with wins against Noxon and Two Eagle River. Hot Springs went a perfect 10-0 in league play and 18-0 overall, making them the number one seed in District 14-C, however they’re still only ranked sixth in the state, even inspite of their undefeated record.

The game that sealed the deal for them was on Valentine’s Day and the win was sweeter to the team than any box of chocolates could be.

It wasn’t even close as Hot Springs took on Two Eagle River in District 14-C action. The Savage Heat won the game easily, 66-24, as they scored more points in the first quarter, 25, than the Lady Eagles did in the entire game.

Hot Springs had a goal they wanted to achieve and they came out swinging. In the first quarter, the Savage Heat’s stifling defense held Two Eagle River to just five points, while their offense racked up 25. The momentum carried over into the second quarter as well, as the Savage Heat scored 16 points and once again held the Lady Eagles to just five points, bringing the score at the half to 41-10.

After the half, the Savage Heat continued on with their rout of the Lady Eagles as the Savage Heat scored 15 points in the third quarter and once again held the Lady Eagles to only five. It wasn’t until the very last quarter of the game when the Lady Eagles were finally able to score more than five points, though they were still held to nine while the Savage Heat scored 11.

MacKenzie Wood led all scorers with 20 points for the Hot Springs Savage Heat. In addition to her Jordon Fisher and Matea DePoe each also scored in double figures. Fisher had 14, while DePoe had 12. Randi Arnold had eight points, Riley Pavlovich had six, Devon White had four, Whitney Wood had two, and Nicole Berndtsen had one to round out the Savage Heat scoring.

The Savage Heat will be up competing in District 14-C action at the district tournament in Ronan. Depending on how the team does there they may get a chance to play at divisionals the following weekend in Butte.