ARLEE – Head coach J.R. Camel couldn’t have scripted a better start to 2013 for the Arlee Warriors boys basketball team. After toting a 4-2 overall record into the new year, Camel’s squad reeled off two of their most impressive wins of the season, first beating Noxon 59-57 in a hostile road environment before coming home to thump St. Ignatius 81-57 in a heated backyard rivalry game.

“Over the Christmas break we worked hard on what caused our losses in the first half of the season,” said Camel. “We’re excited to get some wins in the new year.”

Last Wednesday, the Warriors paid a visit to Noxon, who entered the contest with an unblemished mark of 6-0 overall, and 3-0 in conference play.

A raucous home crowd propelled the Red Devils to an early lead, but the Warriors used a 21-7 second quarter run to take a double-digit advantage into the half. Up by 11 entering the final quarter, the Warriors barely withstood a furious comeback attempt from Noxon, as Austin Tucker of the Red Devils scored 12 of his game-high 20 points in the period, connecting on three shots from beyond the arc.

Compared to the hot-and-cold performance of their conference foes, balance was the key to the win for Arlee, as Christian Haynes led an even-keeled scoring attack by netting twelve points. Rocky Lewis and Zack Camel added 11 apiece, while Josh Reed scored 10 and Aaron Fisher contributed nine to the effort. Isaac Camel (four points) and Patrick BigSam (two) also had buckets for the Warriors that would prove pivotal in the closely-fought game.

On Saturday, Arlee returned to their home court to play host to their hot-blooded rival St. Ignatius in a clash for southern Lake County bragging rights. The Class C Warriors and Class B Bulldogs would match each other blow-for-blow in the first half, with Arlee clinging to a narrow 30-28 lead going into halftime.

The two teams fared much differently after emerging from the locker rooms, however, with Arlee outgunning Mission 51-29 the rest of the way.

Zach Camel and Rocky Lewis were primarily responsible for engineering the offensive explosion, with Lewis dropping a game-high 28 points, including four three-pointers. Not to be outdone, Camel notched a triple-double, registering 18 points, 12 assists and 10 rebounds in addition to five steals.

“They’ve been working hard,” J.R. Camel said of the pair of outstanding performers.

“They’re a good backcourt- a good one-two punch.”

Aaron Fisher also finished in double-figures for the Warriors with 12 points. Stuart Grant led the Bulldogs with 15 points, while teammates Jarred Brown and Nikko Alexander added 14 and 12 points, respectively.

With their record now standing at 6-2 overall and 3-0 in conference action, the Warriors will try to maintain their momentum in back-to-back bouts with Charlo and Two Eagle River this Friday and Saturday.

Despite their recent run of success, coach Camel and his team still aren’t satisfied as they look ahead.

“(We need to) just keep working,” Camel said. “We put in a new offense and defense this year and they’re buying into the system.”

If they continue to proceed along the learning curve at this rate, 2013 could be a long year for the opposition.