Red Devils headed to state after big winning streak
<p>Neal Jopling of Noxon bringing the ball up the court in a district match against Charlo.</p>
The true test of any basketball team is how well they perform under pressure with their backs against the wall. After coming off their first loss after one game, it would’ve been difficult to predict the run of success that would follow. The Red Devils would play four more games after their loss to Ennis. They won them all and now the Red Devils are moving on to the State Tournament.
In the first game, Noxon was in a good position to beat Ennis and move up the bracket. Only problem was the Red Devils got off to a bad start and trailed by 12 after the first quarter. It was the only time though the entire game that Noxon was unable to match the scoring efficiently of their opposition. Ennis ended up winning a tight one, 65-60.
Travis Tammaro lead the team in scoring with 17 points while Banks Stocking and Jordan Eichert combined for 27 points on the day.
In the next game, Noxon took on Lincoln. The Red Devils played superb defense early on and help the opposition to only four points in the first quarter. Another defensive stand in the fourth quarter cancelled out low scoring by Noxon as the Red devils won 40-35.
Banks Stocking led the team in scoring and had a big game with 10 points overall.
Looking to stay alive in the postseason, Noxon faced Charlo to decide who would make it to the consolation championship. Noxon was against the benefit of great defense as they held Charlo to 13 points in the first half. The Red Devils fended off a surge by Charlo late in the game to win 59-52.
Neal Jopling has a good night shooting with 11 points while Jordan Eichert connected on a pair of three-points to help the team advance.
The consolation game featured a rematch against the first team Noxon lost to in order to decide who would earn a sport for a chance to make it to the state tournament against the top teams in Montana. A14-3 run in the third quarter ensured Noxon would live on to play one more game.
Austin Tucker lead the Red Devils with 10 points while Jordan Eichert scored nine points on three shots from downtown.
The Red Devils took on Drummond Monday in a one-game playoff to see who would be moving on to state. While some of the games Noxon played in the tournament came down to the wire, this one was decided after the opening tipoff. The Red Devils controlled both sides of the ball and ran away with a 68-48.
Banks Stocking had a dominating performance with 25 points while teammates Jordan Eichert and Travis Tammaro combined for 23 points on the evening.
The State C tournament will begin this Thursday in Billings. Noxon will take on Highwood Thursday evening at 8:00 p.m.