Vikings edge Bobcats in thriller
Hey savvy news reader! Thanks for choosing local.
You are now reading
1 of 3 free articles.
CHARLO – This just in, folks: the Charlo Vikings boys’ basketball team is good-real good. Fans crammed into the Charlo High School gym when Charlo hosted 14-C opponent Superior Jan. 6, and they weren’t disappointed as Charlo came from behind to win 49-48.
“It came down to the wire,” Charlo head coach Mike Brown said. “Superior had a lot of length, and those big boys can move.”
Brown says he knew his team was capable of a comeback, and told his boys to hang in, as the shots would follow.
“I told them they were down 10 points, but as long as we stayed within striking distance, we would be alright,” Brown said. “Because I knew we would start hitting our shots. Luckily they started falling in the fourth quarter.”
Dillon Delaney was a machine in the second half, scoring 11 of his 18 points in the fourth quarter. Delaney’s contributions from downtown and the free throw line helped Charlo rally from an 11-point deficit late in the fourth. Tra Ludeman added four points via free throws in the comeback. Ludeman finished the game with 11. Stephen Delaney added seven, while team captain Kolten Andrews finished with six.
Delaney hit three three-pointers and another pair to propel Charlo into the lead.
Superior nailed a three-pointer at the buzzer to pull within one.
The Bobcats were led by Clint Voll, who finished with 13 points, while Adam Kay added 10.
On Saturday, Charlo played Philipsburg on the road. The Vikings started strong and never looked back, winning big, 66-40. Charlo improved to 7-1 with the win, and the Vikings are making a case for themselves to be a threat come February.
Charlo jumped out to an early 16-7 lead in the first eight minutes of play and continued to build their lead to 34-15 by halftime. It was more of the same in the second as Charlo outscored the Prospectors 15-8 in the third. The Prospectors went on a run in the fourth, matching Charlo with 17 points, but it wasn’t enough as Charlo won by 26.
Stephen Delaney came to play, scoring 15 points, while Dillon Delaney finished close behind with 14. Webb O’Neill also finished with double digits, scoring 11.
Philipsburg was led by Skye Van Fossen, who scored a game-high 19 points.
Charlo hosts Arlee Jan. 13 and Hot Springs Jan. 14.
Coach Brown says his team needs to continue improving on defense and rebounding to become a better team.
“Once we get better at that, we will become a better team,” he said. “Rebounding is the key for our team.”
SUMMARY
Charlo 16 18 15 17 - 66
Philipsburg 7 8 8 17 - 40
CHARLO - Dillon Delaney 14, Tra Ludemann 4, Web O’Neill 11, Stephen Delaney 15, Kail Pope 5, Dalton Delaney 2, Kolten Anderson 8, Tyler Delaney 2, Coby Cox 1, Maverick Nelson 4.
PHILIPSBURG - Jerry Metesh 2, Skye Van Fossen 19, Cole Van Fossen 2, Justin Pergande 6, Chase Comings 2, Tayber Goff 7, Austin Waldbillig 2.
Superior 19 7 11 11 - 48
Charlo 7 9 10 23 - 49
SUPERIOR - Bill Smith 3, Adam Kay 10, Zach Benda 7, Clint Voll 13, Jan Srna 9, Aaron Lowman 6.
CHARLO - Dillon Delaney 18, Tra Ludeman 11, Web O’Neill 5, Stephen Delaney 7, Kolten Andrews 6, Tyler Delaney 2.
