Fierce competition: Scarlets, Lady Vikings face off
Carrie Pichler
Lady Viking Aspen Runkel struggles to retrieve the ball from Scarlet Violet Pablo.
Carrie Pichler
Morgan Malatare, Jordan Ludeman and Carly Hergett, from left, scramble to gain possession of the ball.
Carrie Pichler
Carrie Pichler
Carrie Pichler
Carrie Pichler
Carrie Pichler
Carrie Pichler
Carrie Pichler
Carrie Pichler
Carrie Pichler
Carrie Pichler
Carrie Pichler
Carrie Pichler
Hey savvy news reader! Thanks for choosing local.
You are now reading
1 of 3 free articles.
In possibly one of the most extreme games of the season, district 14 C number-one seeded Scarlets faced off against number two’s Lady Vikings Saturday night.
In Arlee, the bleachers were full of cheering fans from both Arlee and Charlo, and the sidelines were packed as Arlee hosted senior night. With emotions flying high, Arlee’s Scarlets took down the Lady Vikings 42-38 in the close and physical contest. Scarlet Alicia Camel scored 15 points and Whitney Malatare came away with 12.
For Charlo, Aspen Runkel led the way with 17 points.
“There’s always been a bit of a rivalry between Arlee and Charlo, it was an exciting game,” Scarlet Coach Bill Stockton said.
As it was senior night for Arlee, it was also the last game of the regular season for Arlee seniors Whitney Malatare and Alexis Shick. Stockton is proud of their accomplishments. “Those two have played varsity since freshman year,” Stockton said. “I really can’t say enough.”
Shick took a court plant spill during the contest and broke open her lip, forcing her to change into what Stockton called the “blood jersey.” The blood jersey comes into play when a player bleeds on her own jersey and has to change into an unused number. Yet she got back up and played hard, according to Stockton.
The Scarlets have a bye going into districts in the number one spot and will not have to play until Friday. Stockton says his team is ready but knows Charlo and St. Regis could give the Scarlets a run for their money. “We will have an extra day of practice so that will be good,” he said. “Ultimately we have passed our first goal of first in conference. Now we need to complete our goals of placing in districts and divisionals but will have to get through Charlo and St. Regis first.”
As for Charlo’s side of the story, they refuse to go down without a fight. Though it was a tough loss in Saturday’s game, Coach Brett Thompson remains optimistic about postseason. “This is the fun part of the year,” he said. “We have lots of basketball left.”
Going into postseason tied for second along with St. Regis, the Lady Vikings “have come a long ways,” according to Thompson. “I am very fortunate to work with this team … They have worked hard.”
Even though Arlee has boasted the numbers and will go into postseason as the favorite, everybody knows, anything can happen on the court.
Both the Scarlets and the Lady Vikings will compete at Districts held in Ronan Feb. 20-22. Charlo will take their shot on Thursday while Arlee will have a bye and begin play on Friday.
Results from Arlee-Charlo game
Arlee 10 9 7 16 – 42
Charlo 5 9 10 14 – 38
Arlee – Alicia Camel 15, Whitney Malatare 12, Violet Pablo 9, Alexis Shick 5, Morgan Malatare 1.
Charlo – Aspen Runkel 17, Skyler Frame 6, Shayna Nagy 5, Cheyenne Nagy 4, Jordan Ludeman 4, Mikaylan Roylance 2.
Game results from Friday
Arlee 25 24 17 4 – 70
Two Eagle River 6 7 1 17 – 21
Alicia Camel 23, Whitney Malatare 18, Carly Hergett 10, Violet Pablo 8, Alexis Shick 5, Morgan Malatare 2, Shaylee Perry 2, Megan Shick 2.
Charlo 15 10 6 15 – 46
Hot Springs 6 2 11 6 – 25
Shayna Nagy 13, Jordan Ludeman 10, Aspen Runkel 7, Mikaylan Roylance 6, Cheyenne Nagy 2, Madison Foust 2, Sienna Brown 2, Skyler Frame 2, Abby Knight 2.
