Last Thursday the Savage Heat hosted the Alberton Panthers. The boys claimed a 45-31 point victory while the girls outshot the Panthers 45-17.

The boys got the games rolling both coming out strong on the defense with Hot Springs taking charge at the end of the quarter to gain a 13-5 point lead. Nick McAllister started off the second quarter with the first two baskets and Weston Slonaker sank a fast-footed lay-up. The Savage Heat held tight and kept the Panthers at bay. Garth Parker made a rebounding basket to finish off the half at 32-13.

Hot Springs racked up the points in the third quarter to end with a 38-17 point lead. In the fourth quarter eighth-grader Ben Aldridge landed a shot and Calvin Timmer swooped in a three-pointer. Alberton made the last shot of the game.

The Lady Savage Heat took charge of the court right away with Josie Uski hooping the first points. Kara Christensen banked the first shot of the second quarter and the half ended at 16-7.

With their fast-breaking down the court and Christensen launching a three-pointer, the girls grabbed a 37-12 point lead in the third quarter and Erica Cannon crowned the game with the last shot.

The Savage Heat were defeated in Drummond on Friday. The girls 63-17 and the boys 57-22. Uski was the leading scorer for Hot Springs with nine points.

On Saturday Hot Springs hosted Troy at home on Senior Night. The seniors commemorated were Josie Uski, Lily DeTienne, Austin Campbell and Garth Parker. Shirts were being made by students right there in the commons for purchase in support of the Savage Heat basketball teams.

The Lady Savage Heat started the games in what looked to be a sure win. It was 11-1 in the first quarter, 21-10 in the second and 31-21 in the third. But with a three-point shot by the Trojans in the fourth, they were not about to let up the fight.

At six minutes on the clock the score was 33-27 and Troy was gaining momentum. Uski landed a three-pointer and at 4:30 DeTienne made her two free-throws and the score was 38-31, then at 3:34 on the clock the Trojans had come within basket range at 39-36. DeTienne raced the ball down the court and Christensen made the shot. With some fast-breaking down the court the girls were able to pull ahead with Christensen to crown the game with the last shot at 47-38.

However the boys Savage Heat lost in a close battle, 60-55.

Jennifer Curran

Hot Springs senior Lily DeTienne.

Coach Richard Jackson said his seniors ended the regular season with a great game. Uski racked up 18 points and DeTienne shot 11. Christensen grabbed 11 rebounds and Lauryn Aldridge earned 10. Going into "season three," Jackson told the girls to "Play like you do in practice." He said that they are looking forward to the tournaments and they beat St. Regis one game and the Cats beat them one one game, so it's their turn for the win on Thursday.

Hot Springs teams will be playing in Polson this weekend for the 14 C District Tournaments. The Lady Savage Heat take on the St. Regis Bobcats at 10:45 am on Thursday and the boys take on Two Eagle River at 3:45 on Thursday.