The Western Divisional boys basketball tournament at the Butte Civic Center this past weekend got off to a not so good start for the Noxon Red Devils, then progressed to a pair of consolation victories before ending in a consolation semifinal to Seeley-Swan.

Noxon opened the tournament against eventual champion Manhattan Christian and found themselves in a 23-10 hole after the first eight minutes of play.

The Red Devils regrouped and played the Eagles mostly straight up in the second quarter, sending MC into the halftime break leading 39-23.

But Manhattan Christian showed why it was considered a pre-tourney favorite in the third quarter when they exploded for 36 points and held the normally high-scoring Red Devils to nine. That output sent the Eagles into the final quarter with an insurmountable 75-32 lead.

Noxon fought back in the fourth quarter, outscoring MC 12-4 over the final eight minutes of play but the damage was already done.

Manhattan sharp-shooter Christian Treimstra had a game-high 28 points to lead the Eagles to victory and got double-figure scoring support from three teammates.

Senior post Shane Murray scored 20 points to pace Noxon.

Next on the agenda for Noxon was a game against St. Gardiner. Noxon shot their way to a 23-12 lead behind nine points from Murray. Gardiner fought back in the second quarter and shaved three points off the Noxon halftime lead, which stood at 32-24.

The Red Devils then erupted for 24 points in the third quarter, including 11 points from forward Cameron Blair who dropped a trio of three-pointers as part of his outburst.

Then, in the fourth quarter, Gardiner turned the tables on Noxon, outscoring them 24-9, but the Red Devils were able to hold off the Bruins high-energy rally and preserve the victory that sent them to the next round of the consolation round against St. Regis.

    Noxon forward Cameron Blair releases a shot in the Red Devils consolation final game versus Seeley-Swan this past weekend during the Western C Divisional tourney in Butte. (Photo by Jen Christensen)
  

    Noxon senior post Shane Murray puts in a shot under the basket during the Red Devils game versus Seeley-Swan this past weekend at the Western C Divisional tourney in Butte. (Photo by Jen Christensen)