Vikings’ D clamps down in 2 wins
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ST. REGIS — The Charlo Vikings used a high pressure defense to get back on track, stopping a two-game losing streak by shutting down both of their opponents last week.
The Vikings started the week with a 70-24 thrashing of the Prospectors in Philipsburg Thursday and finished the week with a 54-12 rout of the Tigers in St. Regis Saturday.
“They looked good. At least our defense looked sharp,” Charlo coach Mike Brown said. “We’re playing pressure defense and we’re not fouling ... We’re using a more pressing defense and we’ re guarding the 3-point line and forcing teams to go inside.”
The Vikings kept their opponents in single digits in scoring in seven of the eight quarters they played last week. The Vikings allowed the Prospectors to score 10 points in the third quarter, but followed that by only allowing one point in the fourth quarter. They also shut out the Tigers in the second quarter and only allowed four first-half points.
Senior Houston Blevins led the Vikings’ charge in Philipsburg, finishing with 19 points and 13 rebounds in what his coach described as a “monster game.” Brown said the 6-foot-3, 214-pound senior has the potential to be one of the districts best players if he became more aggressive.
“If he plays with a chip on his shoulder he could be one of the best,” Brown said.
Chance Rosenbaum also finished with a double-double for the Vikings, scoring a dozen points and pulling down 10 boards. Chico Stipe finished with 12 points and Dillon Delaney put in 10.
Viking point guard Chance Firestone only had two points, but had 10 of the team’s 22 assists and only turned the ball over once.
“If he (Firestone) does that every game we have a good chance of playing in Butte,” Brown said.
Blevins, Firestone and Chance Frame each finished with 10 points and a double-double against the anemic Tigers Saturday. Frame pulled down 12 boards, Blevins had 10 rebounds and Firestone finished with 11 assists.
Stipe had six points, seven assists and nine rebounds. Rosenbaum finished with seven points and nine rebounds.
The Vikings had 45 rebounds against Philipsburg and 55 against St. Regis.
“We really gobbled up the glass in both games,” Brown said.
The Vikings averaged 24 assists in the pair of victories and only 11.5 turnovers.
The Vikings (6-4, 3-2) host the Noxon Red Devils Saturday. The Red Devils beat the Vikings 53-51 on a last second 3-pointer in December and are in second place in District 14-C.
Summary
Charlo 70, Philipsburg 24
Charlo 23 18 24 5–70
P.burg 8 5 10 1–24
CHARLO - Dillon Delaney 10, Chico Stipe 12, Chance Rosenbaum 12, Houston Blevins 19, Chance Firestone 2, Chance Frame 6, Stephen Delaney 3, Tra Ludeman 2, Garrett Herron 2, Chris Incashola 2.
PHILIPSBURG - Phil Shields 7, Ladd Hogue 6, Nick Vose 2, Kevin Kanduch 3, Tayler Goff 6.
Charlo 54, St. Regis 12
Charlo 13 10 24 7–54
St. Regis 4 0 5 3–12
CHARLO - Dillon Delaney 4, Tra Ludeman 4, Chico Stipe 6, Garrett Herron 3, Chance Firestone 10, Chance Rosenbaum 7, Houston Blevins 10, Chance Frame 10.
ST. REGIS - Josh Slavin 2, Thomas Spencer 3, Zane Worrall 3, Shad Hotchkiss 4.
