Hot Springs hoops gets first win

Hot Springs came away with their first win of the season, defeating Philipsburg 53-43 at home on Saturday. The loss came after a 40-55 loss at Plains the previous day and ended a three-game losing skid.

On Friday, the District 14-C Savage Heat fell to the District 7-B Horsemen for the second time in as many contests this season.

Leading seven to six after the first quarter, Hot Springs was dashed 19-5 as Plains took a  25-12 lead into half-time.

The Savage Heat come out strong in the third, outscoring Plains 17-11, closing the gap to 28-36 heading into the fourth quarter.

In the fourth, the Savage Heat’s hopes were effectively dashed as leading scorers Zack Malinak, 23 points, and Cody Hoff, 8, fouled out.

On Saturday, the Savage Heat defended their home court, by knocking off Granite to come from behind in the fourth quarter and claim their first victory.

Hot Springs came out strong, leading 14-9 after at the end of the first quarter, but Philipsburg did them one better in the second, coming away with a 24-23 lead at the break. Savage Heat sophomore Dave Cross, scored 12 of his team-high 18 points in the opening half.

Nothing was settled in the third as the two teams broke even, and went into the fourth 33-32. In the final quarter Hoff scored nine of his 15 points as the Savage Heat outscored Granite 21-13 for the win.

Malinak scored nine points and Riley Whitworth five in the win.

Philipsburg was led by Taber Goff with 14 points. Nick Vosee and Justin Pergande were each in double-figures with 11 and 10 respectively.