Winning District 14C conference games in Charlo has always been a challenge for visiting league teams.

Winning there without your best player in the lineup during crunch time at the end of a game would seem like an even more daunting task.

The veteran of many such contests as a player and then as a coach for both the Noxon boys and girls at various times, Noxon coach Ryan Weltz was excited by what his boys were able to accomplish in defeating Charlo 47-44 on the Vikings’ floor Saturday.

Weltz’s high scoring son Rylan Weltz, one of the most prolific point-producers around this season, fouled out in the fourth quarter after scoring a team-high 16 points. Much to coach Weltz’s pleasure, the Devils regrouped and still managed to win in the end.

“It’s always nice to win in Charlo,” coach Weltz said, “and it was nice to see us pull it out the way we did. It’s rewarding to see the other kids step up and get it done. This was a good win for us, a good confidence builder.”

The Red Devils trailed the Vikings 33-25 heading into the fourth quarter but won the final eight minutes of regulation time 15-7 to send the game into overtime tied at 40-40.

The Devils won the extra period 7-4 to claim the game.

Aiden Galloway added 13 points for the Devils, Michael Antonich 10 (plus 15 crucial rebounds), Brody Hill four and Derreck Christiansen two.

Nate Clark scored 15 points and Coyle Nagy 10 to lead Charlo.

In other action last week, the Devils lost 66-42 to District 14C-leading St. Regis in Noxon Friday.

“St. Regis is a good team,” coach Weltz said. “They pressured the ball hard and we didn’t have an answer, made way too many mistakes.”

Weltz scored 15 points to lead Noxon in that game, Galloway and Antonich added eight apiece, Christiansen four and Hill, Nate Cano and Wyatt Lackner two each.

John Pruitt netted 20 points, Andrew Sanford and Caleb Ball 12 apiece and Ian Ferris 10 for St. Regis.

Noxon has two District 14C conference games on tap this week, playing at Clark Fork (the Superior-Alberton co-op) Friday and returning home to host Hot Springs Saturday.

“We should match up pretty well with Clark Fork,” Weltz said, “and look for a good game with Hot Springs.”