Hot Springs too much for Noxon

Danielle Switalski

Hot Springs added another win to their record after beating Noxon on Friday night in Hot Springs 45 to 31. 

Hot Springs set the pace of the game early on in the first quarter outscoring Noxon 14 to four.  Noxon had a hard time hitting baskets early on in the game, but came out strong in the second quarter and managed to put some points on the scoreboard and tighten the gap against Hot Springs.

Noxon’s Stephanie Larkin rebounded off a missed three with mere seconds left in the second quarter to get within 10 points of Hot Springs with a score of 24-14 at half. 

Noxon’s Cara Stettler went down in the second quarter with a knee injury and had to sit out for the rest of game.  Head Coach Sarah Hannum said the girls are struggling to work through their injuries as one of their main bench players Ashley Wiltse recently suffered from an ankle injury and is also sitting out. 

“I was definitely not anticipating an injury by any means and she’s (Stettler) a starter and we had to adjust, we have all the cards against us and we need to get healthy,” said Hannum. 

Despite the loss of Stettler to the game, they came out looking tough in the second half, Larkin scoring 15 seconds into the game, putting Noxon only eight points away from Hot Springs’ lead. 

Devon White of Hot Springs quickly returned the points, however, sinking a three in the next play down the court.  Hot Springs kept growing the gap, making it harder for Noxon to catch them.  MacKenzie Wood of Hot Springs kept running the baseline and the Lady Heat were unstoppable when it came to recovering offensive rebounds. 

“In the second half what kind of put us over the hump was definitely our rebounding, we got a little stagnant in that first half, but in the second half I think we went on a run there where we had a bunch of rebounds,” said Hot Springs Head Coach Scott Wigton.  Hot Springs had 16 offensive rebounds in total. 

Wigton said the team has worked really hard on offensive rebounding as it leads to second chance opportunities or a foul.  Hot Springs is still struggling on getting defensive rebounds, but Wigton is confident that the girls will start improving on this aspect of play.

Wigton said their outside shooting is also something the girls need start working on because the more outside shots that are made, the inside will inevitably open up.

Noxon did not slow their pace in the third quarter, ending it 35 to 22.  Noxon couldn’t seem to hit their free throws, going 13 for 25 overall, which would have helped to close the gap and get within reach of beating Hot Springs. 

“I think we showed pretty good hustle at times and I think we had pretty solid defense at times as well.  We got out beat on boards in the second half and that hurt us,” said Hannum.

Despite struggling with free throws, Hannum was impressed by the girls’ offensive game, as they were patient with the ball and waiting for the right shot. 

Wigton, who at the start of the season said the Hot Springs girls “live and die by the two three zone,” was impressed by his girls ability to switch to man to man defense and up their intensity.

“We have a tendency to stand around a little bit in zone, but when we go man to man, I think it kind of keeps us more engaged and there’s more responsibility.  If we’re going to play stagnant and stand around and get in foul trouble, for some reason with the man to man we don’t get a lot of fouls called,” said Wigton.

Wood was the leading scorer for the Lady Heat with 19 points.  Randi Arnold ended the game with a double, double having ten points and 11 rebounds.  Elsa Schmiedbauer also had nine rebounds, five of which were offensive. 

Hot Springs went on to beat Two Eagle River Saturday, 57 to 28 and Noxon also went home with a win against Arlee 45 to 18.