Vikings survive against Two Eagle to win district title
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RONAN – It was standing-room-only in the Ronan Event Center Saturday as two Lake County teams brought out the masses during the 14-C District Championship game between Charlo and Two Eagle River. The energy was contagious as cheering fans brought the decibel level to an all-time high during the close game. The Vikings’ 21-8 run in the third made all the difference, as Charlo won its first District Tournament title since 1998, defeating Two Eagle 70-54.
Before the tournament, Charlo head coach Mike Brown said he wouldn’t be satisfied unless his boys made it to the championship, knowing his special group of boys had what it took to take down the talent-stacked district competition.
“I feel so good,” Brown smiled shortly after the game. “I’m happy for my boys; they worked hard all year for this. They have the heart of a champion.”
Brown says he had a feeling Two Eagle would beat top-seeded Superior in the semi-finals, stating he and Two Eagle head coach Clayton Malatare predicted the championship match-up between their teams at the beginning of the season.
“We actually thought Two Eagle would win (against Superior),” Brown said. “We called it with Two Eagle; I’m happy for them too. They’re a good group.”
Charlo first-year starter Webb O’Neill was on fire in the game, finishing with a season-high 29 points. O’Neill knocked down three 3-pointers, while Dillon Delaney and Kolten Andrews added a pair. Charlo hit eight of 21 3-pointers, shooting 38 percent from beyond the arc.
Along with O’Neill’s 29 points, Dillon Delaney added 13, while Stephen Delaney added 11. Senior team captain Kolten Andrews added nine.
“It feels awesome,” senior Stephen Delaney said. “We haven’t won it in awhile. It’s nice to get a win for the fans and the school.”
Both Charlo and Two Eagle were guaranteed a spot in the Divisional Tournament as the top two teams advance, but Andrews says he was still felt a little uneasy prior to tip-off.
“It’s a great feeling, especially because it’s (my) senior year, and we lost to Arlee the past two years,” Andrews said. “I was nervous, but I knew we had a good team.”
“They put their heart on the floor the whole game,” Brown said. “I’m really proud of them.”
To advance to the championship game, Charlo first beat Hot Springs 62-38. The Vikings started the game slow, allowing the Savage Heat to take a 22-17 halftime lead, but a second-half push gave Charlo the edge.
The Vikings went on a 26-5 run in the third, allowing them to regain control and cruise to a 62-38 victory.
In the opening game win, O’Neill and Andrews finished with 13 points, while Tra Ludeman added 12.
The win advanced Charlo to play No. 2 seed Noxon in the semifinals. Dillon Delaney and Andrews each scored 19 points to help pace the Vikings in a 61-52 win. Andrews went four-for-seven from beyond the arc, helping Charlo stay ahead in the second half.
The Vikings head to Butte Feb. 22 for the Divisional Tournament.
SUMMARY
Quarterfinal
Charlo 62, Hot Springs 38
Hot Springs 11 11 5 11 – 38
Charlo 9 8 26 19 – 62
CHARLO – Webb O’Neill 13, Kolten Andrews 13, Tra Ludeman 12, Dillon Delaney 8, Tyler Delaney 5, Justin Krahn 4, Stephen Delaney 3, Kail Pope 2, Maverick Nelson 2.
HOT SPRINGS – Dave Cross 18, Wyatt Nagy 6, Jimmy Holland 4, Shane Hoff 3, Mike Gray 2, Tanner Hoff 2, Jarod White 2, Lane Foster 1.
Semifinal
Charlo 61, Noxon 52
Charlo 17 12 17 15 - 61
Noxon 18 10 11 13 - 52
CHARLO - Dillon Delaney 19, Kolten Andrews 19, Stephen Delaney 8, Webb O'Neill 8, Tra Ludeman 7.
NOXON - Neal Jopling 11, Banks Stocking 10, Travis Tammaro 10, Jordan Eichert 9, Oliver Grupenhoff 6, Brandon Piazzola 4, Johny Carter 2.
Final
Charlo 70, Two Eagle 54
Two Eagle 14 11 8 21 – 54
Charlo 13 19 21 17 – 70
TWO EAGLE – Cole Noble 14, Marcus Brown 10, Clay Malatare 9, Artie Mendoza 8, Skyler Rossbach 7, Brooks MadPlume 3, Blaine Leonard 3.
CHARLO – Webb O’Neill 29, Dillon Delaney 13, Stephen Delaney 11, Kolten Andrews 9, Tra Ludeman 3, Kail Pope 3, Nelson Maverick 2.
