Vikings take revenge on Noxon

CHARLO — Last time the Charlo boys basketball team faced Noxon, the Vikings were left with a sour taste in their mouths.

On Dec. 19, Noxon came away with a three-point home win over Charlo.

“They handled us last time,” junior Chico Stipe said. “We didn’t come off the bus well.”

This time, Noxon tasted defeat.

Last Saturday, senior Chance Rosenbaum led the way for the Vikings with 17 points in the 53-38 win.

In the first quarter, Charlo kept Noxon scoreless for two possessions, forcing rushed shots.

Senior Chance Firestone increased the lead with a pair of steals. The first one led to a breakaway chance for Firestone, who missed but sunk two free throws after being fouled.

On the second, Firestone caught Noxon off-guard and passed the ball to sophomore Dillion Delaney who gave it right back. Firestone missed, but was fouled, and put one in at the free throw line.

Delaney opened up the second quarter with a three-point shot.

After a scrum under the net, senior Chance Frame was given a technical foul, but Noxon only added one point to its score.

Two plays later, Noxon returned the favor when a technical was handed out to the Red Devils.

Firestone was sent to the line and as Noxon’s head coach argued, Firestone sunk two for a 16-point lead.

Noxon registered 11 fouls in the first half of the game to Charlo’s six. The Vikings had expected to spend some time at the line and had worked on that during practice, Stipe said.

“We knew it would be a factor,” he said. “It was probably one of our best nights on the line.”

The next five Vikings points came from free throws after Rosenbaum and Firestone. Senior Houston Blevins added to a 29-13 halftime lead.

To open up the second half, Firestone found Frame under the net for two points before Noxon cut Charlo’s lead to 11 halfway through the third quarter.

Rosenbaum jump started the Viking offense with a three pointer and a quick pass to Blevins as Charlo rolled to the win.

“It went good,” Stipe said. “Our defense and rebounding helped.”

The Vikings travel to Two Eagle River tonight and Hot Springs on Saturday.