Red Devils unlikely journey comes to a close at state
<p>Back left to right: Banks Stocking, Travis Tammaro, Jordan Eichert, Middle left to right: Bradley Fitchett, Brent Wilson, Johny Carter, Neal Jopling, Austin Tucker, Brandon Piazzola, Tyler Piazzola. Front left to right: Oliver Grupenhoff, Tanner Tammaro, Colton Kardokus.</p>
Last year at the end of a 7-22 season, Noxon head coach Mike Tessier said next year the team would go on a major run. With only two graduating seniors, he had good reason to be optimistic. When Noxon lost their opening game of the divisional round, nobody would have predicted the type of run Mike Tessier and his team would have.
“I knew we would go on a run but I didn’t think we would reach this far.” said coach Tessier. “I thought we would get to divisionals and we almost came up one game short.”
Luckily, the team won the when they needed to against Victor but ran into trouble with a loss to Ennis. This was the last struggle for the Red Devils at divisionals.
Four wins later, the Red Devils had reached the pinnicle of Montana basketball. After a win over Drummond in the play-in game the team faced its toughest challege of the season at the State Tournament.
Noxon took on Highwood to start the tournament. Early on, things were looking good as the Red Devils proved they had a squad that could face anyone. Going into the final quarter of play, Noxon trailed by a single point.
Unfortunately for Noxon, the game got away from the Red Devils, as they were unable to get any offense going when they needed it most. The squad was outscored by ten down the stretch as Highwood won the game 46-35. Despite solid performances from players Banks Stocking and Oliver Grupenhoff, the Red Devils couldn’t convert from beyond the three-point line as the team was 0-6 from downtown.
With the loss, Noxon played their second game in the consolation bracket of the tournament against Saco-Whitewater. Despite a slow start, the Red Devils got things going in the second quarter and continued to play tight against the opposition. By the end of the third quarter, Noxon had taken the lead.
Like the previous game, ran into trouble during the final eight minutes of the game. Saco-Whitewater put up 21 points while Noxon was shut down to seven points. The Red Devils lost 51-40 and were done at the tournament.
“We ran out of gas,” said coach Tessier. “We played 13 games in 16 days. Combined with the traveling, that wore us down.”
Travis Tammaro lead the team in scoring with 12 points while Banks Stocking had another top performance with 11 points on the night.
On paper, the final record of the Noxon Red Devils will read 22-9. For the players, coaches and fans who were a part of the ride, the season has meant so much more.
“Overall it was a phenomenal season,” said coach Tessier. “The team played with heart and character all year long and we were able to come together at the right time.”