Kvelve's Comments: Unbeaten Tigers

So, there is one undefeated team still standing in the 13C conference, the mega-league that resulted from the merger of the old 14C and what was a six-team 13C.

Not only did the St. Regis Tigers move into sole possession of first place with a half-dozen mostly conference games left to play in the regular season, they set up a potentially awesome race to the top down the stretch. 

The Tigers came away with a 59-52 victory as their trademark swarming defense held the Red Devils, who had been averaging almost 80 points a game this season, to their lowest total of the year. 

Defense, it is said, wins championships. 

And an equally powerful axiom is that going unbeaten for a whole season is really hard to do. In the NFL, the Miami Dolphins circa 1972 were the last team to go unbeaten and win it all. 

And yes, the Wizard of Westwood, legendary college coach John Wooden, had several unbeaten national champions during his incredible run at UCLA last century. 

Can the Tigers complete the 2024-25 regular season without a loss? 

Can’t rule it out. 

There are some big challenges ahead for the now-12-0 Tigers, including a game February 8 against the Lincoln Lynx, who are 11-1 on the year. The lone Lynx loss was a 45-40 defeat at the hands of St. Regis in the season-opening Hamilton tournament. 

And coaches don’t like to speculate about such things like playoffs when the post-season is still three weeks off.  NFL coach Jim Mora went berserk when a reporter once asked him if a game they just played with several left in the season was a ticket to the playoffs. 

Playoffs? Playoffs? Are you kidding me? Playoffs? 

But the win over Noxon, in Noxon, was a signal if nothing else, that St. Regis is once again in the layer of cream at the top of the conference churn. 

The Tigers were 19-5 last year, including a 14C tournament title and an unbeaten swing through the old conference. 

The tools are there, just like they are in Noxon and Lincoln, for a run at the inaugural District title and a ticket to Divisionals, possibly a trip to the state championships in March. 

Noxon, which is 7-1 on the year, had an off night.  They have a team that could make a run for the roses, as does Lincoln. 

But both of those teams have one loss, and both of those losses were to the Tigers. 

The District 13C tournament is shaping up as a basketball fan’s delight. 

Mark down February 19-22 in Frenchtown as a place to be if you are a hoops fan. 

And the 13C girls’ tournament could also be a dandy, if the narrow 50-48 win by Charlo over Hot Springs this past weekend is any indication.  Charlo stands second in the conference with a 9-2 overall record, while Hot Springs, which has been on a roll signs a sluggish start to their season, is 9-4 following the Charlo game. 

Just ahead of Charlo and Hot Springs are 10-2 Lincoln and 10-3 Seeley-Swan. 

Waiting for this, for me, will be like having to wash the dishes after Christmas Eve dinner BEFORE we got to open our presents. 

I can hardly wait!