Charlo embraces seniors, coache's 400th win

CHARLO — In a weekend of games to prepare for the district tournament, both the Vikings boys and girls snagged a pair of win over Philipsburg and St. Regis.

The girls denied Philipsburg 49-29 on the road, building on a 28-7 half-time lead all the way down the line until the end.

Junior Stephanie Murphy took the scoring title with 14 points and freshman Kinley Pope and senior Shianne Montgomery also scored 11 each in the win.

The following night, the girls dealt St. Regis a vicious 61-15 loss for Charlo head coach Bret Thompson’s 400th career win.

They also had senior night, recognizing departing seniors Rochelle Toussaint and Montgomery, two varsity athletes who have helped bring the Vikings to where they are today – a team that can pull off a 46-point win.

Charlo played at Arlee on Tuesday, the final game before the district 14-C tournament in Ronan, which starts today.

The Charlo boys also pulled off two much needed wins, starting with a 57-43 victory at Philipsburg on Friday then an 84-36 crushing of St. Regis on Saturday for senior night.

At Philipsburg, Charlo got on top using its big men like senior Josh Sharbono and junior Houston Blevins to pound the boards and work for points inside then switched to its quicker lineup using senior Clay Hoyt, sophomore Chance Firestone and sophomore Chico Stipe to pull away with fast break points.

Senior Ed Dumont led with 15 points and sophomore Chance Rosenbaum got it done on the boards, coming up with 14 in the game.

The next night, the team sent their seniors off right, with plenty of scoring. Every player got at least one basket in the win.

Dumont led again with 17, and freshman Dillon Delaney and Blevins each had 10.

Head coach Mike Brown said the three departing seniors will be missed.

“Next year whoever the captains are, they’re gonna have their work cut out, because these guys show what a captain’s supposed to be like,” he said.

He said Sharbono is a big man who’s not afraid to share the ball with his freshman.

“He’s our big beast down low and he’s got a good heart,” Brown said.

Dumont is the team’s quiet leader.

“He’s not real vocal but when it’s time to speak up, everyone listens to him,” Brown said.

Last, but certainly not least, is Hoyt, the team’s quarterback.

“He’s a pretty good leader,” Brown said. “He tells the boys if they’re doing something wrong and he’s not afraid to get into their face and let them know it’s time to buck up.”

Brown said his team is trying to make it through districts and divisionals for the seniors.

The third seed, Charlo plays at 8 p.m. tonight at the District tournament in Ronan. They also played on Tuesday at Arlee.