Charlo rolls through week

CHARLO — Heading into its district tournament, the Charlo boys’ basketball team steam rolled its competition last week.

The Vikings beat Phillipsburg 69-26 last Thursday night and St. Regis 65-11 on Friday, on the Viking’s senior night.

Against the Prospectors, 10 different Vikings scored, with sophomore Dillon Delaney leading the way with 14 points.

Charlo jumped to an 18-3 lead with three minutes left in the first quarter.

Senior Kaileb Gillingham put in two after a pass from senior Chance Firestone to end the first quarter up 23-7.

Junior Chico Stipe made the same play for Firestone two plays later for a 29-7 lead.

Before the end of the half, Delaney dropped in two three-pointers for a 43-16 lead. 

Charlo was held scoreless for the first two minutes of the second half before Stipe passed down low to senior Houston Blevins for two.

Senior Chris Incashola passed to Firestone who drove to the net for two as the Vikings scored 16 unanswered points. During that time, Firestone made two steals resulting in easy baskets for himself and Gillingham.

Senior Chance Frame grabbed a rebound before Firestone found Gillingham again, but Gillingham was fouled, going two-for-two at the line.

To start the fourth quarter, freshman Tra Ludeman passed to junior Garrett Herron for a three-pointer before Phillipsburg grabbed a rebound and its first points in over six minutes.

Entering the game against St. Regis, sophomore Stephen Delaney fought his way to the net twice for points. Herron did the same for the win.

The next night, things went the same way against St. Regis.

Eleven Vikings registered points as Gillingham and Frame led with 14 points each. This was Frame’s second double-double in as many nights as he grabbed 11 rebounds.

Charlo’s defense held strong, even with the lead, holding the Tigers to zero points in the fourth quarter.

A standing ovation was earned when six-foot-four Frame almost dunked the ball on a break away in the second half.

Charlo heads to Ronan this weekend for the 14-C district tournament.

The toughest competition will come from Arlee, Gillingham said.

“They play well together,” he said. “They move the ball around.”

Defense will be key for the Vikings, using their height as an advantage.

“Our big guys are rebounding well right now,” Gillingham said. “We want to make it to state.”