Sanders County Ledger - Your Best Source For Sanders County News

PABLO – This is what happens when you make all the right plays in all the right places.

Coach Richard Jackson and his Hot Springs Lady Savage Heat won fourth place in the District 14C tournament in Pablo last week, making their season a great one for their Spa City fans by knocking off Sanders County rival Plains 46-41 in a thrilling overtime loser-out contest Saturday morning.

The Heat opened the tournament with a 55-23 loss to eventual champion Charlo in the first round Thursday, defeated Two Eagle River 54-18 in a loser-out contest Friday, scored their monumental win over Plains Saturday morning, and finally, lost to Arlee 54-28 in the 14C consolation game later that day.

The win over Plains was the one folks in Hot Springs will be talking about for the next few weeks, months and maybe even years.

Jackson was certainly glad to talk about it Monday night. "That was a great win for our program and a good reward for these girls," he said. "They played with a lot of heart. It's been a long time, since 2010 actually, since the Hot Springs girls have still been playing on Saturday night in the district tournament, so this was a big one for us."

The game was a close one throughout until the Heat busted through for the win in overtime. Jackson thought the ultimate decider was from the free throw line. "I told the girls all season that free throws win games, and I guess this proves it," he said. "We only made eight of 18 but, on the other side, Plains made only one of five."

Sydney Jackson scored 14 points to lead Hot Springs' big win, McKennzie Cannon added nine, Stacy Gray eight, Sage Jackson and Lizzy Fisher six apiece and Danielle Graham three.

Please see other story for Plains scoring.

In the consolation game with Arlee, Sydney Jackson scored nine points to pace the Heat, Sage Jackson, Fisher and Gray added four apiece, Cannon three and Graham two.

Alyssia Vanderburg scored 26 points to lead Arlee and Nellie Desjarlais added 11.

The Heat played Charlo tough early (the game was tied 13-13 after the first quarter) before falling back in that first round game Thursday.

Cannon canned eight points to lead the Savage Heat, Sydney Jackson added seven, Fisher and Graham three apiece and Gray two.

Kaitlyn Cox scored 12 points to lead Charlo, Tearia Truman added 11 and Sakoya Gaustad 10.

The Heat got back on the winning track against Two Eagle River Friday.

Cannon scored 12 points to lead Hot Springs in that game, Sydney Jackson added 10, Gray eight, Sage Jackson and Lexi DeTienne six each, Graham four, Fisher three, CheyAnna Perry and Breeze Clark two apiece and Emma Rae Rasmussen one.

Justina Big Beaver led Two Eagle River with five points.