Hot Springs boys basketball coach Cameron Barber has been preaching the team-first concept and his players are buying in to the idea.

Making the extra pass to find the open player on the offensive end and limiting the other team's chances by blocking out effectively on the defensive boards, the Savage Heat ran past Two Eagle River 63-35 in Hot Springs Thursday.

"We played great ball all around on offense and defense," Barber said of the game with Two Eagle. "We were looking to make the extra pass and find the open player, and were passing up good shots to get great shots."

"And our defense has been really stepping up as a team these last couple of weeks," he added. "We have been working hard on not allowing offensive rebounds or easy transition buckets."

Barber said the Savage Heat came up with 14 steals against the Eagles, and allowed only eight second chance points and two fast break points. "Playing that kind of defense has been a big goal for us this season," he said.

Tyler Knudsen led the Heat in scoring with 24 points and cleared six rebounds, Brandon Knudsen added 12 points, Tyler Carr six and a team-best 12 rebounds, Luke Waterbury five points and freshman Jack McAllister turned in another fine all-around game with three points, six steals, five assists and seven rebounds, all while committing only one turnover.

"Jack has been stepping up big for us lately," Barber said. "We expect more big things from him, even if he is only a freshman."

A few other freshmen seeing lots of varsity action this season, Benedict Waterbury added seven points, Kyle Lawson four and Russell Morton two.

Michael Brown scored nine points to lead Two Eagle and Travis Pierre, Anthony Charlo and Kesean Burke chipped in with five apiece.

The Heat were set to host Arlee in another District 14C tilt Tuesday (results were not available) and will visit Victor for a non-conference game Thursday.