Hot Springs Savage Heat took on the high-ranking Superior Bobcats on Friday. The girls lost 55-25 and the boys were defeated 45-29.

Senior Lily DeTienne made the first shot for the Savage Heat but the girls couldn't keep up with the Cats fast-track passing down the court. Senior Cat Isabella Pereira at 5-foot-3 was quick with the lay-ups, helping the Cats take the first quarter 22-5.

Lauryn Aldridge banked the first shot of the second quarter and both DeTienne and Josie Uski landed three-pointers. The Lady Savage Heat outscored the Bobcats in the quarter and were behind 35-19 at the half.

In the third quarter the Hot Springs girls didn't make a field goal nor a free throw. The four eighth-graders on the team – Lanet Jakabosky, Kora Hensrude, Aspen Woods and Mackenzie Johnson – went in fresh off the bench and did not let in any opposing baskets. The quarter went down at 51-19. Again the Savage Heat outscored the Bobcats in the final quarter.

Assistant Coach Randi Arnold said that the team is young, improving every game and hasn't reached their peak yet. Uski made 12 points, three rebounds and two assists, Aldridge made eight points and five rebounds and DeTienne racked up seven points and was 2-for-2 with three-pointers. Arnold said that Kara Christensen is great on defense and has earned the nickname "scrapper." Welcomed back from injury to play on the team was Savage Heat Erica Cannon.

For the boys, the Superior Bobcats came out strong with their dribble-drive. Quincy Styles-DePoe landed the first two points for Hot Springs and they were down 27-9 at the half. The Savage Heat played an outstanding third quarter, outscoring the Bobcats by eight points to end the quarter at 31-21. The boys were then defeated in the final quarter by six points.

Saturday's game against Two Eagle River was a close 49-46 defeat for the Hot Springs boys and a 62-36 point win for the Hot Springs girls.

Coach Richard Jackson said that it was a much needed win to boost confidence. He added that the girls played really well. They made 76% of their shots from the free-throw line. Four Lady Savage Heat scored double-digits. Aldridge scored 13 points and grabbed 10 rebounds, DeTienne shot 20 points and had seven steals, Christensen racked up 15 points and Uski scored 14 points. Jackson said that they aim to keep up the momentum for the games this week and into Districts.

Jennifer Curran

Hot Springs' Ericka Cannon goes up for a basket.

Hot Springs has a make-up game against Alberton at home on Thursday and are headed to play Drummond on Friday. They will be hosting Troy this Saturday for senior night.