Savage Heat handle Tigers again

History repeated itself as the Savage Heat lost to Charlo, and bested St. Regis for the second time this season. Hot Springs (2-5, conf., 6-8 ovr.)  has now won three of their last four games heading into the heart of their conference schedule with only two weeks remaining until districts.

“At the beginning of the season we were kind of down and out and looking pretty bad, but now things are looking up,” Savage Heat head coach Ricky Depoe said. “I’m pretty proud of these boys the way they’re working hard for me. I really can’t ask for a better bunch as far as attitude and everything that they’ve done this season.”

After a 20-point beating at the hands of the Vikings earlier this season, Hot Springs put its best foot forward, falling 43-48 on Friday against unbeaten Charlo (8-0, 14-0) on Friday.

“They’re supposed to be the number two or four team in the state, so we’re pretty happy with what we did,” Depoe said. “They’re a good team, but I have a feeling that we could probably get one past them in districts.”

The Vikings shot out to a 24-14 lead by halftime, but Hot Springs would outscore Charlo 9-7 and 20-17 in the third and fourth quarters respectively to keep the Vikings on their toes until the final whistle.

Depoe believes a big difference between the two games were injuries to seniors Trevor Bras and Cody Hoff in the first matchup. Both players started in Friday’s game, and their leadership was as much a factor as was their contributions in the box score.

Dillon Delaney scored 13 points and Chance Rosenbaum 12 as Charlo came away with the District 14-C win.

Hot Springs was led by Zack Malinak with 17 points. Dave Cross chipped in 16 points, Cody Hoff seven and Trevor Bras three in the loss.

On Saturday, The Savage Heat torched the Tigers during a 30-0 first quarter before pulling their starters and cruising to a 50-23 win at home.

Eleven Hot Springs players would score during the conference route. Malinak and Cross scored ten points apiece, Trevor Bras, Conner Stobie and Cody Hoff six each, Mike Gray five, Wyatt Nagy two and Jaden Baker two and Jarod White, Aubrey Russell and Jimmy Holland one.

Thomas Spencer posted a game-high 15 points for the Tigers (2-8, 0-13).

This week, the Savage Heat Host Arlee on Friday and Alberton on Saturday.