Hot Springs boys split weekend games

Matt Unrau

Despite splitting both their games of the past weekend, the Hot Springs Savage Heat can feel good about both their games including a close loss against the Arlee Warriors who are sitting at the top of the conference.

“It’s pretty promising for us because Arlee beat Charlo by twenty the night before,” says Head Coach Ricky DePoe.

The game was a seesaw affair in Arlee until some screen and rolls by Arlee gave them a four-point lead with three minutes left in the game. After that the Savage Heat had to start fouling in order to get the ball back. The Warriors made their free throws and that proved to be the final difference in the 48-57 loss.

On Saturday night, Hot Springs played against Alberton and after having a stalled offense in the first half, DePoe implored his team to start making shots and with the help of a new offense to counter the 2-3 zone of Alberton Hot Springs outscored Alberton 19-9 in the third quarter and 14-3 in the fourth to cruise to a 47-24 non-conference win.

It was just the spark that Hot Springs needed as this weekend they play two crucial conference games against Noxon at home on Friday and Two Eagle away on Saturday.

“They’re a young team(Noxon), but I tell you what they surprise teams,” says DePoe.

Hot Springs beat Noxon earlier in the year at the Coffee Cup tournament 49-37, but since then Noxon has shaken up the conference that includes a strong win against Charlo.

“We can’t look past them by any means,” says DePoe. “He’s (Noxon Head Coach Mike Tessier) got them sighted in and looking towards Districts.”

Right now both Noxon and Hot Springs are among the top four teams in the conference and a win would be big for both teams.

Although Noxon has improved throughout the season Hot Springs has also improved especially with the addition of much needed depth on the bench. DePoe especially cites the emergence of Freshman Mike Gray who can play multiple positions on the floor and Conner Stogley who backs up the point guard position.

Hot Springs is sitting at 1-2 in conference play.