Hot Springs girls win back-to-back
Hot Springs senior Lindsey Salmi watches her shot during a 36-51 Lady Heat loss to Alberton on Saturday. Salmi would score four points in the contest.
Alberton's Dani Hanley battles Meghan Massingale of Hot Springs for a loose ball during a District 14-C showdown on Saturday. Krysta Henley looks on for the Panthers.
A 52-43 win over Arlee on Friday gave Hot Springs its their first back-to-back wins all season. Although a 36-51 loss to Alberton would stop The Savage Heat’s momentum the following day, they appear to be peaking at the right time as they approach the District 14-C tournament.
Hot Springs (2-4 conf., 3-12 ovr.) is now one game behind the third seeded Scarlets (3-4, 4-11) with one contest left to play in the regular season.
On Friday, a 14-6 surge in the third quarter helped Hot Springs extend its four-point halftime advantage into an insurmountable one, as they came away with the conference victory over Arlee.
Alyssa Foster racked up 19 points and five rebounds to lead the Savage Heat past the Scarlets. Also in double digits was freshman Alex Green who came off the bench to score 14 points. Hannah Retallick netted eight, Lindsey Salmi seven, Meghan Massingale three and Gina Morigeau one point in the win.
Mahalia Hendren scored 17 points to lead Arlee in the loss.
The Savage Heat would fall to Alberton the next day in a Class C nonconfercne matchup. This marked Hot Springs’ second loss in as many tries versus the Panthers this season.
Despite a 10-23 defecit at halftime, Hot Springs came out strong, outscoring the Panthers 19-10 in the third quarter. In the fourth, however, Alberton came out on top, 18-7 to seal the victory.
Dani Hanley hit five 3-pointers on her way to scoring 26 points for the Panthers (7-9). Andi Clark also scored in double digits, tallying 13 points in the win.
Both Foster and Massingane posted double doubles for the Savage Heat. Foster scored 18 points and garnered10 rebounds while Meghan Massingale added 12 and 10 respectively. Lindsey Salmi four points and Hannah Retalick and Nicole Beernstein one apiece in the loss.
Hot Springs will travel to Noxon on Thursday in their finals game before districts.
In their previous matchup, the Lady Heat fell 38-56 to Noxon at home.
Hot Springs will hope the change of scenery can change the outcome as they look to continue the momentum they have built over the last week heading into the postseason.