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Vikings pick up a little steam before districts

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CHARLO — The Charlo Vikings righted their ship heading into districts with an aggressive, shutdown defense, and they’ll have to continue playing that brand of defense if they plan on advancing to the divisional tournament.

The Vikings stopped a two-game losing streak by holding the Philipsburg Prospectors to single digits in each quarter in a 69-26 thrashing at home Thursday. They followed that up by holding the St. Regis Tigers to only 11 points in a 65-11 District 14-C rout on Senior Night Friday.

“It’s going to take a lot of defense and we’re going to have to play with a lot of passion, but it’s going to take a whole lot of defense,” Charlo coach Mike Brown said, when asked what it will take to finish as one of the top two teams at the District 14-C Tournament starting Thursday in Ronan.

With the victory over St. Regis, where the Vikings held the Tigers completely off the scoreboard in the fourth quarter, Charlo improved to 7-3 in conference place, securing second place and earning a first-round bye at the district tournament. 

The Vikings first game at districts will be at 6 p.m. Friday and more than likely against the Red Devils, who play St. Regis in the opening round. The Vikings split their season series against the Red Devils, losing in Noxon Dec. 19 on a last-second 3-pointer and avenged the loss with a 53-38 rout in Charlo in late January.

“It’s going to be a battle. I told the boys they’re going to have to bring their game, if they expect to win,” Brown said.

Brown said he expects a lot from his frontcourt against the Red Devils and wants them to dominate the glass, like they did in the 43-point victory against the Prospectors Thursday, where all three of the Vikings’ big men finished in double figures in rebounds.

Houston Blevins led the Vikings, pulling down 15 boards. Chance Rosenbaum finished with a double-double, hauling in 11 rebounds and scoring 12 points. Chance Frame had 12 rebounds and eight points.

Dillon Delaney led the Vikings with 14 points. Chance Firestone added 11 points. The Viking bench combined for 27 points, outscoring the whole Philipsburg team by a point.

Against St. Regis Friday, the Vikings jumped out to a 27-3 first-quarter lead and breezed to the 65-11 victory. Frame and Kaileb Gillingham finished with 14 points apiece. Both Rosenbaum and Colt Nagy added six points.

While the two victories may have came against week opponents – the two teams have three wins between them this season – Brown said that it’s always better to head into district with a couple of wins under your belt. He’s hoping the momentum can carry the Vikings to the divisional tournament in Butte Feb. 25-27.

 

Summary

Charlo 69, Philipsburg 26
Philipsburg 7 9 2 8–26
Charlo 23 20 17 9–69

PHILIPSBURG - Ladd Hogue 6, Justin Pergaude 6, Jerrod Hergett 7, Phil Shields 2, Talyor Goff 3, Kevin Kanduch 2.
CHARLO - Dillon Delaney 14, Stephen Delaney 4, Chico Stipe 4, Garrett Herron 5, Chris Incashola 3, Chance Firestone 11, Chance Rosenbaum 12, Houston Blevins 4, Chance Frame 8, Kaileb Gillingham 4.

 

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