Sanders County Ledger - Your Best Source For Sanders County News

HOT SPRINGS – The Savage Heat think they can, and it's probably best to not bet against coach Scott Fredrickson and his Hot Springs boys.

Gaining experience and confidence as they go, the very young but very hard-working Savage Heat split games with Sanders County foes last week, falling 70-53 to District 14C-leading Plains in Hot Springs Friday and then defeating Noxon 60-40 in Noxon Saturday.

Now 2-1 in District 14C play and 5-4 overall, the Heat host St. Regis Thursday and travel to Charlo Friday for another pair of conference games this week. St. Regis lost to Plains in Plains last week but is still viewed by many as the team to beat in 14C this season.

"St. Regis is a very good team, we will have to play well to beat them," Fredrickson said, "and Hot Springs always has competitive games with Charlo."

Fredrickson thought his boys played hard in both games last week.

"Plains played well, you have to give them credit," he said. "They have good guards and were able to penetrate our defense some, and we had a few breakdowns with our press. Those are things we will be working on over the next few weeks."

Senior Brandon Knudsen, as has become his habit this season, led the Heat against Plains with 27 points. Jack McAllister added 15, Kyle Lawson and Nathan Lawhead four each, Lincoln Slonaker three and Luke Waterbury one.

Kade Pardee led Plains to the win with 24 points and Treydon Brouillette added 18. Please see other story for complete Horsemen scoring in the game.

Knudsen netted 25 points in the win at Noxon, McAllister chipped in with 13, Lawhead 11, Lawson eight and Slonaker three.

Please see other story for Noxon scoring.

Fredrickson said the Heat are ready for the rest of it, whatever the rest of it brings.

"We are playing hard, we are improving as we gain experience every game," he said. "These kids and Trevor (assistant coach Trevor Paro) are a lot of fun to be around. We look forward to the rest of the season."