Vikings win challenge game

RONAN — The Charlo boys’ basketball team’s biggest weapon?

Heart, head coach Mike Brown said.

“We never give up, no matter what the score,” he said. “It also helps when you have three Chance’s to win.”

Senior Chance Frame, senior Chance Firestone and junior Chance Rosenbaum are just part of the cast for the Vikings that fought back against Arlee, before losing, and finding themselves in the challenge game.

They had been here before: Facing Hot Springs in a win or go home situation.

Last year, the Vikings fell short of the challenge game while the Savages went on to win it and make divisionals.

This year was different.

After losing to Arlee 50-47, the Vikings faced Hot Springs on Monday night in their third game in four days. The winner earned the right to go on to Butte for the divisional tournament.

Charlo came out with energy, cruising to a 14-4 lead after the first quarter behind offensive efforts from Firestone and Rosenbaum. Firestone led scoring for the Vikings with 18 and Rosenbaum added 14 and eight rebounds. Senior Chico Stipe took his second foul two-and-a-half minutes into the game and junior Garret Herron replaced him, scoring on his first touch.

Hot Springs pulled within three with two back-to-back three-point shots before sophomore Dillon Delaney dropped one in and senior Houston Blevins and Rosenbaum added points at the free throw line. Charlo went 14-for-19 at the line.

Charlo increased its lead to nine heading into the locker room as Stipe and Firestone connected for two and Stipe dropped in a free throw.

The Vikings exited halftime with a six-point run as Stipe dropped in two at the line and Firestone scored on a breakaway.

Senior Chance Frame grabbed a rebound and dished it to Delaney for another three before Firestone dropped in another three for a 41-22 lead.

Rebounds played a huge part in the game as Charlo dominated the boards with 29 total rebounds to Hot Springs’ 17. Charlo’s defense allowed six offensive rebounds for the Savages.

It was key for Charlo to grab the rebounds, Brown said, extending the scoring opportunity.

“Frame, Houston and Rosenbaum all did a great job of giving us second chances to score,” he said.

Delaney and Frame both dropped in two free throws to close out the game for a 62-43 win.

Brown said the team’s goal all year was to make it to Butte, no matter what.

“I’m so happy for the boys,” he said.

In the first round of the district tournament, Charlo cruised to a 69-40 victory over Noxon, making five three-pointers.

Firestone led the charge with 20 points and Stipe and Rosenbaum each added 15.

The Vikings face Sheridan at 5:30 p.m. tonight in Butte. Arlee is in the upper portion of the bracket, but Brown didn’t shy away from a rematch against the Warriors.

“I’d love to see them again,” he said. “It would be a good show.”