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It’s not the Phil and Will show anymore, but the Arlee Warriors are still a basketball powerhouse.

Showing that they don’t miss the All-State services of departed leaders Philip Malatare and Will Mesteth (the main trigger-men on Arlee’s past two State C championship teams) too badly, the still-potent Warriors leveled the Hot Springs Savage Heat 76-29 in Arlee Thursday.

In other action last week, the Heat fell 54-48 to Two Eagle River in Hot Springs Saturday.

Coach Cameron Barber said that an injury to Brandon Knudsen – a possible concussion suffered in the third quarter against Arlee – has kept the junior guard on the bench ever since he incurred the injury, and that he will likely sit out this week’s games (against Mission in Hot Springs Tuesday and against Valley Christian in Missoula Friday) as well.

Knudsen’s absence against Two Eagle was a key factor in that loss.

“Brandon is one of our best players and we really don’t have a lot of depth anyway,” Barber said. “But I was also impressed with Two Eagle, they have some good players.”

In Brandon’s absence, his older brother Tyler Knudsen scored 15 points to lead the Heat against Two Eagle, Tyler Carr added 14, Luke Waterbury 12, Jack McAllister three and Kawika Ilac and Kyle Lawson two apiece.

Barber said McAllister, a freshman, led Hot Springs on the boards with 11 rebounds.

Travis Pierre scored 20 points to lead Two Eagle River, William Hameline added 10 and Elias Adams nine.

Tyler Knudsen scored 10 points in the game against Arlee, Carr added six, McAllister and Lawson four apiece, Brandon Knudsen three and Waterbury two.

Isaac Fisher counted 25 points to pace Arlee, Greg Whitesell chipped in with 19 and Cody Tanner 14.