Charlo’s Love, DuMont carry Vikings past Two Eagle

Love was all the Charlo Vikings needed Friday night in their 58-37 win over Two Eagle River.

While freshman Dawson DuMont is the Vikings’ go-to-guy, fellow frosh 5-foot-6-inch Tucker Love made two huge plays for the hosts that propelled them to the triumph.

First, Eagles senior Sheadyn Croft hit a 3-pointer with 3:01 left in the third quarter to cut Charlo’s lead to six points, 36-30, Two Eagle then decreased the deficit to four at 38-34.

But Love made his mark.

He drained a 3-pointer with 1:01 left to make it 41-34. Then, Love stole an Eagles inbound pass with six seconds left. He was fouled and sank both free throws to make it a nine-point game, 43-34.

While there was still eight minutes of basketball to be played, Love’s work at the end of the third effectively iced the game.

His personal 5-0 run spurred a Vikings’ 11-0 run that lasted well into the fourth quarter.

Charlo scored the first six points of the frame and held a 49-34 lead with 3:56 left after Roper Edwards drove and scored.

Two Eagle didn’t score until 3:14 remained in the game when Croft hit a free throw, but the game was in Charlo’s control at that point.

Senior forward Bowen Tryon’s jumper with nine seconds left set the final score and stirred the home fans into a delighted frenzy.

The Vikings got off to a good start in the first quarter as they took a 9-0 lead, but Two Eagle fought back and trailed by six, 13-7, at the end of one when Croft hit a baseline jumper with 11 seconds left. Croft finished with 15 points.

The game remained close in the second with Charlo holding a 25-21 lead at halftime. The Vikings reached the two-shot bonus with 6:36 left in the half and they made the most of it, scoring 12 of their 25 first-half points from the free throw line.

The Eagles had chances to tie or take the lead in the second quarter. Michael Brown’s 3-pointer trimmed the lead to one point, 15-14, with 6:22 left.

But DuMont, who led Charlo with 26 points, had a steal, got fouled and hit both shots for a 18-14 lead with 4:26 left.

With 42 seconds left, DuMont backed Two Eagle’s Nate Gates down and scored a layup to make it 24-18.

DuMont then stole the ball and had a breakaway. He went for the dunk, but missed it. After hanging on the rim, the ensuing technical foul gave the Eagles a chance to cut the lead.

Brown hit one of the technical free throws and Croft hit a pair after getting fouled to make it 24-21.

But the second quarter ended on a sour note for Two Eagle when Brown picked up his fourth foul and Edwards hit one of two free throws with five seconds left to make it 25-21.

Brown didn’t get on the court in the third and the Vikings built their lead to nine points, 43-34, after three.

Saturday, Charlo honored its seniors, Levi Gusted and Tryon, on Senior Night against Darby. Darby posted a 75-46 win.

Darby 75, Charlo 46

14C Charlo (4-13), 13C Darby (12-4)

Darby 13 18 26 18 – 75

Charlo 12 10 11 13 – 46

DARBY – Nelson Smith 24, Preston Smith 17, Tyler Davis 14, Gabe Smith 13, Tanner Davis 5, William Martin 2. 26 13-15

CHARLO – Braydon Zempel 3 2-2 10, Roper Edwards 3 0-0 7, Coyle Nagy 3 0-1 6, Phil Marquez 1 2-2 5, Dawson Dumont 2 1-5 5, Tucker Love 2 0-0 5, Nate Clark 1 2-2 4, Keaton Piedalue 1 0-2 2, Bowen Tryon 2.

3FG – D10 (N.Smith 6, G.Smith, Ty.Davis, P.Smith, Ta.Davis), C5 (Zempel 2, Edwards, Marquez, Love). (Sa08Feb20)

Charlo 58, Two Eagle 37

Charlo (3-6, 4-12), Two Eagle (0-8, 0-15)

Two Eagle 7 14 13 3 – 37

Charlo 13 12 18 15 – 58

TWO EAGLE RIVER – Sheadyn Croft 4 5-6 15, Michael Brown 3 1-4 8, Anthony Charlo 4, Elias Adams 4, Nate Gates 2, Nehemiah Long 2, Shade Tanner 2.

CHARLO – Dawson Dumont 9 8-15 26, Phil Marquez 3 2-3 8, Tucker Love 1 3-4 6, Keaton Piedalue 2 1-2 5, Braydon Zempel 1 3-6 5, Nate Clark 1 1-2 3, Roper Edwards 1 1-2 3, Bowen Tryon 2.

3FG – TER3 (Croft 2, Brown), C1 (Love). (Fr07Feb20)