Viking ballers earn three-game winning streak

NOXON — The tables were turned on the Vikings against Noxon last Saturday.

And free throws were once again the reason.

Chico Stipe went to the line twice at the end of the fourth quarter and sunk two shots to tie the game.

 When he missed his second, Noxon nabbed the rebound and found an open passing lane.

With 1.7 seconds left, Noxon’s Tyrel Wilkinson sunk a shot to win 53-51.

Head coach Mike Brown was shocked at his team’s performance at the line after doing so well against Mission two days earlier.

“I wasn’t surprised that we were hitting them against Mission,” Brown said. “I was really surprised we weren’t against Noxon.”

The game was tied at the half and again after the third quarter.

“They’ve got a good team,” Brown said.

Leading the team, he said, were Stipe, who put up 15 points, and Dillion Delaney, with 13.

“Our guards did well,” Brown said. “But our big guys struggled. I think they weren’t putting the ball inside the hoop.”

The Vikings went into the intense games after a 70-38 win against Two Eagle River from last Tuesday.

Charlo started with a three point lead after the first quarter before turning things up a couple notches.

The Vikings did most of their damage in the second and third quarters, outscoring Two Eagle River 43-15 in those quarters.

“We started out not so good, but never quit,” Blevins said. “It was a team effort.”

A 14-point fourth quarter sealed the Vikings win.

Stipe and Blevins each scored 12 points.

The Vikings traveled to Hot Springs on Tuesday night. Results were unavailable at press time.

Charlo will next play on Jan. 7 when it travels to Arlee before traveling to Thompson Falls the next night.

Last time the Vikings played the Warriors, Charlo lost 70-51 in the Victor tournament.